Higher education leaders from the University of Colorado (CU) and other state institutions urged lawmakers to maintain investment in higher education, despite a projected $800 million shortfall in the state budget. CU President Todd Saliman, joined by shared governance representatives, addressed the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) at its annual hearing on higher education ahead of the 2026 legislative session.
Saliman was accompanied by Faculty Council Chair Jorge Chavez, Staff Council Co-Chairs Ja’Net Hurt and Kimberly Slavsky, Intercampus Student Forum Vice Chair Camden Sharkey, and Board of Regents Chair Callie Rennison. Each provided testimony about the importance of state funding for CU and its impact on students and employees.
Rennison expressed appreciation for last year’s funding that helped keep tuition stable. She stated, “Investments from the state are critical to support our students. The Board of Regents is focused on student success – in particular, improving student retention and graduation rates for all our students – and supporting our employees to recognize the incredible work of our staff and faculty. This is paramount, as we want to do all we can to ensure that CU reflects all of Colorado’s communities and is a top choice for Colorado high school graduates.”
The governor’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27 falls more than $58 million short of meeting base core minimum costs for higher education institutions statewide. This gap creates challenges in offering competitive salaries and cost-of-living increases for CU employees while also managing tuition rates.
Hurt emphasized the need for adequate compensation: “Your support in funding the full base core minimum cost increase will help the university recruit and, more importantly, retain talented and dedicated staff who serve our students and support our faculty. To remain a competitive employer and economic driver in the state, we must adequately compensate our employees.”
Chavez highlighted inflationary pressures faced by both faculty and non-faculty staff: “It takes people to educate people, and in partnership with university staff and leadership, faculty maintains a core focus on supporting student success. Faculty face the same inflationary salary pressures that our non-faculty staff face. The university also has the added challenge of competing with the pay offered by peer institutions and outside industries.”
Sharkey spoke about student concerns: “Many students take out loans to afford an education. Your investment keeps college accessible and tuition stable for me, my friends and fellow students,” he said. “Additionally, your support helps fund compensation for the faculty we learn from and staff we rely on … who help us pursue our dreams.”
Other higher education leaders present included Paul Johnson from Colorado School of Mines, Tony Frank from Colorado State University, and Andy Feinstein from University of Northern Colorado. They echoed requests for sufficient funding to cover their institutions’ basic operating costs.
Saliman told committee members: “We understand the pressure you’re under. Our request is that you consider (higher education) the same way you consider other state agencies when you’re thinking about the core components of operating: compensation, benefits and inflation. You know better than anyone that your decisions have a direct impact on us and our ability to keep tuition in check, pay our employees and maintain our facilities. We thank you for your support in the past and humbly ask that you do what you can to dig deep for us again this year.”
The CU system reported generating $12.2 billion in economic impact across Colorado last year through its educational programs and workforce training. The legislative session began Wednesday with lawmakers expected to finalize budget decisions by May 13.
For further information about CU’s State Government Relations Team or current legislation affecting higher education visit the official website.
