CU leadership has warned that the next state budget year may be especially difficult, as Colorado faces a projected $1 billion shortfall and multiple funding demands. At the Jan. 22 Faculty Council meeting, Chad Marturano, CU vice president and chief financial officer, said that while the governor’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026–27 would provide a small increase for higher education, it is not enough to cover rising costs.
“In my time at CU, this is the most challenging budget year that we’ve faced,” Marturano said.
According to Marturano, higher education statewide would receive about $60 million less than needed to keep up with compensation increases, benefits and inflation—levels comparable to other state agencies. He noted that CU’s share of this gap is around $20 million.
The legislative session began on January 14. CU leaders are urging lawmakers to maintain current service levels for higher education institutions.
“Right now, we are lobbying to be treated similarly to other state agencies — essentially for a tread-water budget,” Marturano said.
Key decisions will be made later in the spring by the Joint Budget Committee after input from university leaders earlier this month. The committee will begin deciding on funding levels in March or April. Meanwhile, CU system and campus leaders are preparing several budget scenarios for presentation at the Board of Regents’ meeting scheduled for February 5-6 at CU Boulder.
In addition to budget concerns, university officials are monitoring legislative activity affecting higher education policy, affordability and workforce development. Rebecca Massey from CU’s State Relations team reported that lawmakers are expected to consider legislation from a governor-appointed working group on artificial intelligence and bills addressing affordable housing, Medicaid funding and restructuring of the Colorado Department of Higher Education with more focus on workforce readiness.
CU is also backing legislation aimed at expanding concurrent enrollment options so four-year institutions can offer courses directly in high schools. This would allow students to 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 expressed concern over how an increased emphasis on workforce outcomes might impact higher education’s broader mission such as civic engagement and critical thinking skills. Massey responded that university leaders share these concerns and are working with state officials so those values remain important.
Despite these challenges, both Massey and Marturano stressed ongoing advocacy efforts at the Capitol as well as collaboration across campuses during this difficult budget cycle.
“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 February 26 via Zoom.
