CU leaders have warned that the upcoming state budget year may be the most difficult in recent memory, as Colorado lawmakers face a projected $1 billion shortfall and multiple funding demands.
At the Faculty Council’s January 22 meeting, Chad Marturano, University of Colorado vice president and chief financial officer, said that while the governor’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026–27 includes a small increase for higher education, it does not meet the needs of CU or other institutions to keep up with rising costs. “In my time at CU, this is the most challenging budget year that we’ve faced,” Marturano said.
According to Marturano, under the governor’s proposal, higher education statewide would receive about $60 million less than needed to cover compensation increases, benefits and inflationary costs at levels similar to other state agencies. He estimated CU’s share of this gap at roughly $20 million.
With the legislative session underway since January 14, CU leaders are urging lawmakers to maintain current service levels. “Right now, we are lobbying to be treated similarly to other state agencies — essentially for a tread-water budget,” Marturano said.
Key decisions on funding will come later in spring from the Joint Budget Committee. The committee heard from CU leadership earlier this month and is expected to begin setting figures in March or April. CU system and campus leaders are preparing several budget scenarios for presentation at the Board of Regents’ 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 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 opportunities by allowing four-year institutions to offer courses directly in high schools so students can earn guaranteed-transfer college credit at lower 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 about how an increased emphasis on workforce outcomes might affect 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 so those values remain central.
Despite uncertainties ahead, both Massey and Marturano stressed ongoing advocacy efforts at the Capitol and collaboration across campuses as lawmakers work through competing priorities during a tight 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 is set for February 26 via Zoom.
