Budget scenarios for 2026-27 presented to Board of Regents
Last week’s Board of Regents provided the first look at potential budget scenarios across the University of Colorado system for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Chad Marturano, vice president and chief financial officer for the CU system, presented the budget proposals during the first day of the board’s Feb. 5-6 meeting at CU Boulder. Details varied among three scenarios, differing based on potential variations in state funding, tuition and fees, and compensation.
Depending on the amount of state investment and current scenario planning, undergraduate resident tuition rates at CU Boulder could range between 2.6% and 4.5% for new, incoming students; continuing students are assured of no increases because of the campus tuition guarantee. At CU Denver, undergraduate resident tuition could range between 2.5% and 4.5%; at UCCS, the range is 2.6% to 4.5%. Undergraduate nursing tuition at CU Anschutz is slated for a 2.4% increase in each scenario.
Proposed fees vary by campus.
Compensation increases are proposed across the system, with caveats. Classified employees would see a 3.1% increase, based on the statewide agreement. CU Boulder is assuming either a 3.1% merit pool alone, or the same merit pool plus a 0.5% pool for compression, retention and adjustment pay. At CU Denver, all scenarios have a 2.75% pool for merit and compression, retention and adjustment pay, assuming revenue thresholds are met. Compensation plans at UCCS are pending the outcome of ongoing budget discussions at the campus. CU Anschutz is assuming a 2.5% merit pool, with either 0.6% or 1.0% for compression, retention and adjustment pay.
Hourly minimum wage rates for most staff and student employees will remain stable or increase at varying amounts at the four campuses.
Familiar challenges affecting budgeting across the campuses and system include uncertain state and federal funding, enrollment, adequacy and competitiveness of compensation, increases in mandatory costs brought on by inflation, increased need for student financial aid and student support services, deferred maintenance, and information technology needs.
While enrollment projections will be refined in the months ahead, overall enrollment at CU Boulder is projected to rise 1.3% in fall 2026. CU Denver is projecting a 0.6% increase in overall enrollment in 2026-27. UCCS is projecting a 1.3% decrease in overall enrollment in 2026-27. CU Anschutz is projecting an overall enrollment increase of 3.6% for 2026-27.
In other business at last week’s board meeting, Strategic Planning Co-Chairs Marturano and Lynn Vidler, provost at UCCS, provided an update to the board, including a preview of early findings of a constituent survey.
Phase 3, in which the scope of the plan is defined, is ending, Marturano said, noting Friday’s conclusion of the constituent survey. The working group also determined a list of key metrics from the first strategic plan that will continue to be used, including four- and six-year graduation rates, freshman retention, sponsored research totals, patients served and philanthropy totals.
The next phase of the process is underway, with planning synthesis and prioritization slated to continue into April. The fifth phase, finalization and implementation, is set for May through the fall.
Learn more about the strategic planning process.
Also at last week’s meeting, the board formally recognized six members of the newest cohort of Distinguished Professors, first named last November. The CU Boulder faculty members – Kristen Carpenter, Russell Cropanzano, Marcia Douglas, Noah Finkelstein, Karl Linden and Jade Morton – attended and were introduced by Chancellor Justin Schwartz, who presented the official awards.
The Distinguished Professor title is CU’s highest honor for faculty. They are tenured faculty members who demonstrate exemplary performance in research or creative work; a record of excellence in promoting learning and student attainment of knowledge and skills; and outstanding service to the profession, the university and its affiliates. The seventh member of the 2025 cohort of Distinguished Professors, Marc Moss of CU Anschutz, will be recognized at a Board of Regents meeting later this year.
The regents also honored Regent Emeritus Henry F. “Hank” Anton Jr., who died Dec. 18, 2025, at age 88. The board paid tribute with the passage of a memorial resolution.
Anton won election to the board from District 3 in 1994, later serving as board chair. He also was a proud graduate of CU Boulder and a member of the Chi Psi Fraternity. He was presented with the prestigious University Medal, one of CU’s highest honors, in 1992.
For more on last week’s Board of Regents meeting, see CU Boulder Today and CU Denver News.