The University of Colorado Board of Regents reviewed initial budget scenarios for the 2026-27 fiscal year during a meeting held on February 5-6 at CU Boulder. Chad Marturano, vice president and chief financial officer for the CU system, presented three potential budget plans that depend on variations in state funding, tuition, fees, and employee compensation.
According to Marturano’s presentation, undergraduate resident tuition rates for new students could increase between 2.6% and 4.5% at CU Boulder. Continuing students would not see increases due to the campus tuition guarantee. At CU Denver, possible increases range from 2.5% to 4.5%, while UCCS may see changes between 2.6% and 4.5%. Undergraduate nursing tuition at CU Anschutz is expected to rise by 2.4% under all scenarios.
Compensation proposals include a statewide-agreed increase of 3.1% for classified employees across the system. At CU Boulder, options include either a 3.1% merit pool or an additional 0.5% pool for pay adjustments related to compression and retention. CU Denver’s proposal is a 2.75% pool for merit and adjustment pay if revenue goals are met, while compensation plans at UCCS remain under discussion. CU Anschutz proposes a 2.5% merit pool with up to a further 1% for adjustments.
Minimum wage rates for most staff and student workers are set to remain stable or see modest increases depending on the campus.
The university faces ongoing challenges in budgeting such as uncertain funding from government sources, fluctuating enrollment figures, inflation-driven cost increases, greater demand for student financial aid and support services, deferred maintenance needs, and information technology requirements.
Enrollment projections indicate that CU Boulder expects a 1.3% increase in fall 2026; CU Denver projects growth of 0.6%; UCCS anticipates a decrease of 1.3%; and CU Anschutz forecasts an increase of 3.6%.
During the same meeting, Strategic Planning Co-Chairs Chad Marturano and Lynn Vidler updated regents on early results from a constituent survey connected to strategic planning efforts within the university system. The current phase involves defining plan scope and selecting key metrics such as graduation rates, freshman retention, research totals, patient numbers served by university medical centers, and philanthropy levels.
The next steps will involve synthesizing input and setting priorities through April before finalizing implementation from May into the fall semester.
The board also formally recognized six members of the newest cohort of Distinguished Professors: Kristen Carpenter, Russell Cropanzano, Marcia Douglas, Noah Finkelstein, Karl Linden and Jade Morton—all faculty at CU Boulder—who were introduced by Chancellor Justin Schwartz during the ceremony last week.
The Distinguished Professor title represents the highest faculty honor at the University of Colorado and recognizes tenured professors who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in research or creative work; excellence in teaching; and significant service contributions to their profession or institution.
Marc Moss from CU Anschutz will be honored as part of this cohort later in the year.
Additionally, regents paid tribute to Regent Emeritus Henry F. “Hank” Anton Jr., who passed away in December at age 88 after serving as both board member (elected in District 3 in 1994) and chair during his tenure.
