University of Colorado

{{Short description|Public university system in the United States}} {{About|the public university system in the state of Colorado|the private institution in Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado College}} {{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox university |name = University of Colorado |image = Seal of the University of Colorado.svg | image_size = 150 |caption = |established = {{start date and age|1876}} |president = Todd Saliman |type = Public university system |city = Boulder |state = Colorado |country = United States | colors = {{colorbox|#C8BA89}} {{colorbox|black}} {{colorbox|#565A5D}} (Gold, Black, and Grey)<ref>[https://www.cu.edu/brand-and-identity-guidelines/our-visual-identity Our Visual Identity]</ref> | website = {{url|https://www.cu.edu/|cu.edu}} | logo = University of Colorado system logo.svg | logo_size = 250 |endowment = $2.25 billion (FY2024)<ref name=NACUBO>As of June 30, 2024. {{cite web |url=https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2024-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL-Feb-12-2025.xlsx |title=U.S. and Canadian 2024 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2024 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY23 to FY24, and FY24 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student |date=February 10, 2025 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) |access-date=June 29, 2025 |format=XLS }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Consolidated Financial Report with Supplemental Information |url=https://giving.cu.edu/system/files?file=protect/financial/2024-10/University%20of%20Colorado%20Foundation-Audited%20Financial%20Statements%20at%20June%2030%2C%202024.pdf |publisher=University of Colorado Foundation |date=October 18, 2024 |page=24}}</ref> }} {{Location map+ |Colorado |width=250 |float=right|caption=Locations of University of Colorado campuses |places= {{Location map~ | Colorado | marksize = 8 | label_size = 80 | label = Boulder | position = right | lat_deg = 40.0067 | lon_deg = -105.2672 }} {{Location map~ | Colorado | marksize = 8 | label_size = 80 | label = Colorado Springs | position = right | lat_deg = 38.8922 | lon_deg = -104.7995 }} {{Location map~ | Colorado | marksize = 8 | label_size = 80 | label = Denver | position = left | lat_deg = 39.7435 | lon_deg = -105.0031 }} {{Location map~ | Colorado | marksize = 8 | label_size = 80 | label = Anschutz | position = right | lat_deg = 39.745103 | lon_deg = -104.837722 }} }}

The '''University of Colorado''' ('''CU''')<ref>{{cite web|title=Campus, College & School Names|date=11 May 2017 |publisher=University of Colorado Boulder|url=https://www.colorado.edu/brand/how-use/text-tone/editorial-style-guide/campus-college-school-names|access-date=December 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204103757/https://www.colorado.edu/brand/how-use/text-tone/editorial-style-guide/campus-college-school-names|archive-date=December 4, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> is a system of public universities in Colorado. It consists of four institutions: the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, the University of Colorado Denver, and the University of Colorado Anschutz. It is governed by an elected nine-member board of regents and led by a system president, currently Todd Saliman.

==Campuses== ===University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder)=== {{main|University of Colorado Boulder}} '''CU Boulder''' is the flagship university of the University of Colorado System in Boulder, Colorado. Founded in 1876, the university has more than 39,000 undergraduate and graduate students, making it the largest university in Colorado by enrollment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.colorado.edu/oda/sites/default/files/attached-files/overallprofile.pdf|title=CU Boulder Fall 2017 Overall Enrollment Profile|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116132938/https://www.colorado.edu/oda/sites/default/files/attached-files/overallprofile.pdf|archive-date=November 16, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> It offers more than 2,500 courses in more than 150 areas of study through its nine colleges and schools.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}} Their athletic program is part of the Big XII Conference of NCAA Division I.

===University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)=== {{main|University of Colorado Colorado Springs}} '''UCCS''' is the fastest growing of the three campuses with an undergraduate and graduate student population of about 12,000 students. It was established in 1965 and now offers 45 bachelor's, 22 master's, and five doctoral degree programs through its six colleges.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uccs.edu/about/facts.html|title=Facts & Figures|website=University of Colorado Colorado Springs|language=en|access-date=March 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619082648/http://www.uccs.edu/about/facts.html|archive-date=June 19, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 520-acre campus is located in central Colorado Springs. Their athletic program is part of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference of NCAA Division II.

===University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver)=== {{main|University of Colorado Denver}} '''CU Denver''' is the largest research university in Colorado, attracting more than $420 million in research annually, and granting more master's degrees than any other institution in Colorado. The campus provides an urban learning center with liberal arts, sciences, and professional programs in eight schools and colleges, serving over 18,000 students. CU Denver is located in downtown Denver on the Auraria Campus, which is also home to Metropolitan State University of Denver and Community College of Denver.<ref name="UCD_accredited"/>

===University of Colorado Anschutz (CU Anschutz)=== {{main|University of Colorado Anschutz}} '''CU Anschutz''' in Aurora is home to six professional schools in the health sciences and extensive research and clinical care facilities, including the University of Colorado Hospital, Children's Hospital Colorado and the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center. CU Anschutz has more than 4,200 students, and is the largest academic health center in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States.<ref name="UCD_accredited">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ucdenver.edu/about-us/facts/Pages/default.aspx|title=Quick Facts – Accredited Degrees, Research and Health Care|website=University of Colorado Denver|language=en-us|access-date=March 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322030109/http://www.ucdenver.edu/about-us/facts/Pages/default.aspx|archive-date=March 22, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cuanschutz.edu/about | title=About Us | University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus}}</ref> It was established in 2006.

==Defunct campuses==

===University of Colorado South Denver (CU South Denver)=== {{main|University of Colorado South Denver}} '''CU South Denver''', located in Lone Tree, opened in 2015 as a satellite campus of CU Denver, but permanently closed in August 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns surrounding the campus' financial viability. At the time of its closing, the campus offered four academic programs and served nearly 300 students.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://southdenver.cu.edu/about-us/|work=southdenver.cu.edu|title=About Us|publisher=CU South Denver|access-date=January 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630195619/https://southdenver.cu.edu/about-us/|archive-date=June 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://connections.cu.edu/stories/cu-south-denver-facility-be-sold | title=CU South Denver facility to be sold | date=17 September 2020 }}</ref>

==Related institutions== * The University of Colorado Hospital Authority ('''UC Health''') was created in 1991 to allow the Regents to reorganize the University of Colorado Hospital.<ref>SB 91–225, chapter 99 of the 1991 Session Laws of Colorado, page 555–589, approved 1 June 1991, effective 1 June 1991. §1(h): "That the intent of the general assembly in enacting this act is to again authorize the board of regents to reorganize university of Colorado university hospital through the establishment of a quasi-governmental and corporate entity vested with the powers and duties specified in this act and providing for the transfer of the hospital’s assets and operating obligations to said entity …"</ref>

== International collaboration == The university is an active member of the University of the Arctic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Members |url=https://www.uarctic.org/members/member-profiles/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=UArctic |language=en-US}}</ref> UArctic is an international cooperative network based in the Circumpolar Arctic region, consisting of more than 200 universities, colleges, and other organizations with an interest in promoting education and research in the Arctic region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.uarctic.org/about-us/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=UArctic - University of the Arctic |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Presidents== The following persons have served as president of the University of Colorado system:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents |title=CU Past Presidents |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align: center" !{{abbr|No.|Number}} !Image !President !Term start !Term end !{{refh}} |- |1 |70px |Joseph A. Sewall |1877 |1887 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/joseph-sewall |title=Joseph A. Sewall |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |- |2 |70px |Horace M. Hale |1887 |1892 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/horace-m-hale |title=Horace M. Hale |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |- |3 |70px |James H. Baker |1892 |1914 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/james-h-baker |title=James H. Baker |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |- |4 |70px |Livingston Farrand |1914 |1919 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/livingston-farrand |title=Livingston Farrand |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |- |5 |70px |George Norlin |1919 |1939 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/george-norlin |title=George Norlin |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |- |6 | |Robert L. Stearns |1939 |1953 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/robert-l-stearns |title=Robert L. Stearns |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |- |7 | |Ward Darley |1953 |1956 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/ward-darley |title=Ward Darley |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |- |8 | |J. Quigg Newton |1956 |1963 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/quigg-newton |title=Quigg Newton |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |- |9 | |Joseph R. Smiley |1963 |1969 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/joseph-r-smiley |title=Joseph R. Smiley |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''interim'' 10 | |Eugene H. Wilson |1969 |1969 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/eugene-h-wilson |title=Eugene H. Wilson |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |- |11 | |Frederick P. Thieme |1969 |1974 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/frederick-p-thieme |title=Frederick P. Thieme |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |- |12 | |Roland C. Rautenstraus |1974 |1980 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/roland-c-rautenstraus |title=Roland C. Rautenstraus |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |- |13 | |Arnold R. Weber |1980 |1985 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/arnold-r-weber |title=Arnold R. Weber |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''interim'' 14 | |William H. Baughn |1985 |1985 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/william-h-baughn |title=William H. Baughn |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |- |15 |70px |E. Gordon Gee |1985 |1990 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/e-gordon-gee |title=E. Gordon Gee |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |-bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''interim'' 16 | |William H. Baughn |1990 |1991 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/william-h-baughn |title=William H. Baughn |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref> |- |17 | |Judith E. N. Albino {{efn|First woman president.}} |1991 |November 15, 1995 |<ref name="AlbinoBuechner">{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/judith-e-n-albino |title=Judith E. N. Albino |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=STT19951020-01.2.57&srpos=4&e=01-01-1994-01-07-2000--en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7CtxCO%7CtxTA-University+President+Buechner-------0------ |title=Albino interim successor named |newspaper=The Steamboat Today |volume=7 |number=204 |page=21 |date=October 20, 1995 |via=Colorado Historic Newspapers |quote=University of Colorado-Denver Chancellor John Buechner, was named Thursday by the board of regents to be CU’s interim president until Judith Albino’s successor can be found. The selection was made late Thursday morning at a closed meeting attended by Albino, who announced Tuesday she was leaving as president Nov. 15 to return to teaching. Buechner’s appointment is effective Nov. 16.}}</ref> |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''interim'' |rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"| |rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"|John C. Buechner |November 16, 1995 |May 1996 |{{r|AlbinoBuechner}} |- |18 |May 1996 |May 31, 2000 {{efn|Forced to resign due to conflicts with regents.}} |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/john-c-buechner |title=John C. Buechner |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=LVT19960508-01.2.36&srpos=7&e=01-01-1994-01-07-2000--en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7CtxCO%7CtxTA-University+President+Buechner-------0------ |title=New CU president to remain in Lafayette home for now |first=Jennifer |last=Beauprez |newspaper=The Louisville Times |volume=82 |number=91 |page=15 |date=May 8, 1996 |via=Colorado Historic Newspapers |quote=A former political science professor at CU, Buechner served as Chancellor of the university’s Denver campus since 1988 before being formally appointed to president last week.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=ADN19991018-01.2.26&e=-------en-20--1--img-txIN%7CtxCO%7CtxTA--------0------ |title=CU searching for president’s replacement |newspaper=Aspen Daily News |volume=22 |number=110 |page=12 |date=October 18, 1999 |via=Colorado Historic Newspapers |quote=As their shock over University of Colorado President John Buechner’s decision to resign changes to acceptance, CU officials are focusing on how to go about finding a replacement. Buechner announced his resignation, effective June 1, last week. He said he made the decision because he felt he did not have the support of each of the university's nine regents.}}</ref> |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''interim'' 19 | |Alexander E. Bracken |June 1, 2000 |August 31, 2000 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/alexander-e-bracken |title=Alexander E. Bracken |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://extras.denverpost.com/news/news0427c.htm |title=Ball exec to be CU's interim president |date=April 27, 2000 |first=Dave |last=Curtin |newspaper=The Denver Post |url-access=subscription |quote=University of Colorado regents will announce Friday that Alexander "Sandy" Bracken will be the interim president of the four-campus, 44,000-student university while the school continues to search for a permanent president. Bracken, 53, a descendant of the famed Ball pioneering business family and chairman of the state's higher-education commission, will take over June 1... Regents Chairman Pete Steinhauer said Bracken isn't a candidate for the permanent job. His presidential term could continue into next year, Steinhauer said.}}</ref> |- |20 | |Elizabeth Hoffman |September 1, 2000 |June 30, 2005 {{efn|Resigned as a result over football scandal.}} |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/elizabeth-hoffman |title=Elizabeth Hoffman |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.colorado.edu/today/2000/08/02/regents-name-elizabeth-hoffman-president-university-colorado |title=Regents Name Elizabeth Hoffman President Of The University Of Colorado |date=August 2, 2000 |publisher=University of Colorado Boulder |quote=The University of Colorado Board of Regents announced today that Elizabeth "Betsy" Hoffman, 53, has been named the 20th president of the University of Colorado. Hoffman, currently Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), will take over CU's top post on Sept. 1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/08/us/university-president-resigns-at-colorado-amid-turmoil.html |title=University President Resigns at Colorado Amid Turmoil |first=Kirk |last=Johnson |date=March 8, 2005 |newspaper=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |quote=The president of the University of Colorado, Elizabeth Hoffman, resigned Monday after struggling with a football recruiting scandal and a firestorm over a professor who likened some Sept. 11 victims to Nazis. But her departure, effective June 30, seems unlikely to quell months of political turmoil in the state over the professor, Ward L. Churchill, who wrote that some people who worked at the World Trade Center were "little Eichmanns," toiling on behalf of American foreign policy just as Adolf Eichmann did on behalf of the Holocaust.}}</ref> |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''interim'' |rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"|70px |rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"|Hank Brown |August 1, 2005 |May 11, 2006 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.colorado.edu/law/2005/04/15/hank-brown-69-becomes-21st-president-university-colorado |title=Hank Brown _69 Becomes 21st President of the University of Colorado |date=April 15, 2005 |publisher=University of Colorado Boulder |quote=Hank Brown [will take] over CU’s top post on August 1, and will serve until a permanent president is appointed by the Board of Regents at the conclusion of the search process, which is in progress.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2005/08/01/cu-chief-fires-first-day-salvo/ |title=CU chief fires first-day salvo |first=Jennifer |last=Brown |date=August 1, 2005 |newspaper=The Denver Post |url-access=subscription |quote=Hank Brown cut 10 jobs Monday on his first day as the University of Colorado’s interim president, showing he isn’t just an idle stand-in until a permanent president is hired.}}</ref> |- |21 |May 11, 2006 |March 7, 2008 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/hank-brown |title=Hank Brown |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2006/04/05/hank-brown-is-the-one-two-cu-boards-decide/ |title=Hank Brown is the one, two CU boards decide |first=Jennifer |last=Brown |date=April 5, 2006 |newspaper=The Denver Post |url-access=subscription |quote=Regents expect to officially name the president in about a month, after Brown visits each of CU’s four campuses for interviews by administrators, faculty, staff and students.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2007/01/18/hank-brown-to-leave-cu-presidency-next-february/ |title=Hank Brown to leave CU presidency next February |first=Mike |last=McPhee |date=January 18, 2007 |newspaper=The Denver Post |url-access=subscription |quote=University of Colorado President Hank Brown will leave his post on Feb. 1, 2008, he announced this morning at the conclusion of the Board of Regents’ meeting.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.9news.com/article/news/education/brown-steps-down-as-cu-system-president-benson-starts-monday/73-343292392 |title=Brown steps down as CU System president; Benson starts Monday |date=March 7, 2008 |first=Sara |last=Gandy |work=KUSA (TV) |quote=His last day was Friday. Bruce Benson takes over on Monday. Brown was president for 32 months, leading the 52,000-student system through dramatic changes designed to overcome a series of embarrassing scandals.}}</ref> |- |22 |70px |Bruce D. Benson |March 10, 2008 |June 30, 2019 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/bruce-d-benson |title=Bruce D. Benson |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cu.edu/news/university-colorado-names-bruce-benson-its-22nd-president |title=University of Colorado Names Bruce Benson Its 22nd President |date=February 20, 2008 |publisher=University of Colorado system |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cuindependent.com/2008/03/11/benson-takes-office/ |title=Benson takes office |date=March 11, 2008 |newspaper=CU Independent |quote=Bruce Benson had a “busy day from start to finish” when he took office on Monday as the CU system’s 22nd President said Ken McConnellogue, associate vice president for university relations.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cu.edu/article/bruce-d-benson-statement |title=Bruce D. Benson Statement: CU President announces he will retire in July 2019 |date=July 18, 2018 |publisher=University of Colorado system |quote=Today I informed the University of Colorado Board of Regents that I intend to retire from my position, effective July 2019.}}</ref> |- |23 |70px |Mark Kennedy |July 1, 2019 |June 30, 2021 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://president.cu.edu/past-presidents/mark-kennedy |title=Mark Kennedy |publisher=University of Colorado system}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.colorado.edu/today/2019/05/02/cu-regents-name-mark-kennedy-president |title=CU regents name Mark Kennedy president |date=May 2, 2019 |publisher=University of Colorado Boulder |quote=The University of Colorado Board of Regents today named Mark Kennedy as the institution’s 23rd president... He will replace Bruce D. Benson, who is retiring from CU in June after more than 11 years as president... Kennedy will assume the presidency in July.}}</ref> |- bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |''interim'' |rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"| |rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"|Todd Saliman |July 1, 2021 |April 27, 2022 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.colorado.edu/today/2021/06/02/cu-regents-name-todd-saliman-interim-president |title=CU regents name Todd Saliman interim president |date=June 2, 2021 |publisher=University of Colorado Boulder |quote=On a unanimous vote, the University of Colorado Board of Regents on June 1 named Todd Saliman as the University of Colorado interim president. The appointment will be effective July 1.}}</ref> |- |24 |April 27, 2022 |present |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cu.edu/news/todd-saliman-elected-university-colorado%E2%80%99s-24th-president |title=Todd Saliman Elected University of Colorado’s 24th President |date=April 27, 2022 |publisher=University of Colorado system |quote=The Board of Regents today voted unanimously to elect Todd Saliman as the University of Colorado’s 24th president. Saliman has been serving as the university’s president on an interim basis since his appointment by the board in July 2021.}}</ref> |- |}

Table notes: {{notelist}}

==See also== *Sommers–Bausch Observatory

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} *{{Official website}} *{{Wikisource-inline|Portal:University of Colorado}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:University Of Colorado}} Category:University of Colorado Colorado  Category:Public universities and colleges in Colorado