CU leaders have warned that the upcoming state budget year may be one of the most difficult in recent memory due to a projected $1 billion gap and multiple funding demands facing Colorado lawmakers.
Chad Marturano, vice president and chief financial officer at CU, told the Faculty Council on January 22 that while the governor’s proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget includes a small increase for higher education, it does not fully address rising costs. “In my time at CU, this is the most challenging budget year that we’ve faced,” Marturano said.
According to Marturano, the governor’s request would leave higher education funding across Colorado about $60 million short of what is needed to cover compensation increases, benefits, and inflation at rates similar to other state agencies. He noted that CU’s portion of this shortfall is about $20 million.
The legislative session began on January 14. CU leaders are primarily asking lawmakers to maintain current service levels for higher education. “Right now, we are lobbying to be treated similarly to other state agencies — essentially for a tread-water budget,” Marturano said.
Key decisions regarding the state budget will be made later in the spring by the Joint Budget Committee. The committee has already heard from CU leadership and others earlier this month and is expected to begin setting funding levels in March or April. CU system and campus leaders are preparing several budget scenarios for presentation to the Board of Regents at its February 5-6 meeting at CU Boulder.
In addition to financial concerns, university officials are monitoring a busy legislative session with bills related to higher education policy, affordability, and workforce development. Rebecca Massey from CU’s Office of Government Relations noted that lawmakers will consider legislation resulting from a governor-appointed working group on artificial intelligence as well as bills concerning affordable housing, Medicaid funding, and restructuring of the Colorado Department of Higher Education with more focus on workforce readiness.
CU is also sponsoring legislation aimed at expanding concurrent enrollment opportunities for students. This bill would permit four-year institutions to offer concurrent enrollment courses directly in high schools so students can earn guaranteed-transfer college credit at reduced cost. “We’re particularly excited about the concurrent enrollment bill because it creates more affordability and access for students,” Massey said. “It also has the potential to shorten time to degree.”
Faculty Council members questioned how an increased emphasis on workforce outcomes might impact higher education’s broader mission such as civic engagement and critical thinking. Massey responded that university leaders share these concerns and are working with state officials to ensure those values remain central.
Despite these challenges, both Massey and Marturano stressed ongoing advocacy efforts at the Capitol and collaboration among campuses during this tight budget year. “The state is in a tough position,” Marturano said, “and this will be a challenging year for CU and for higher education overall.”
The next Faculty Council meeting will take place on February 26 via Zoom.
