Chancellor Phil DiStefano and other CU representatives addressed the Colorado General Assembly’s Capital Development Committee on Dec. 14, advocating for state funding for renovation and deferred maintenance projects in the next fiscal year.

DiStefano also shared his gratitude for the state funding that allowed renovations to begin this year on the Hellems Arts and Sciences Building, where he first taught classes as a new professor in 1974. More than 70% of undergraduates take at least one class in Hellems during their college career, he noted.

“In my final year as chancellor, it’s so special to have this project funded and moving toward modernization so it can serve a meaningful role for many more generations,” DiStefano said.

CU Boulder’s top priorities for 2024–25 are renovations to the Guggenheim Geography Building and Macky Auditorium, along with addressing a backlog of deferred maintenance needs for the campus’s aging infrastructure.

CU’s representatives also answered questions from legislators about how additional revenue generated by CU football is being used (it remains within athletics for departmental needs), how applicant pools have been affected by test-optional admissions policies (applications are up about 40% this fall at CU Boulder, and the newest first-year class was highly qualified academically and more diverse than ever before) and whether the university’s deferred maintenance backlog is stable, shrinking or growing (it’s gradually increasing).

DiStefano was joined at the Capitol by Chris Ewing, vice chancellor for infrastructure and sustainability; Todd Haggerty, chief financial officer; and Kirsten Schuchman, associate vice chancellor for public policy; as well as CU system President Todd Saliman, Regent Nolbert Chavez and representatives of the other CU system campuses.

Following the hearings, the Capital Development Committee will make recommendations to the Joint Budget Committee, which will present a state budget for consideration in spring 2024. Prior to arriving at the Capital Development Committee, the projects are vetted extensively at the campus and system levels, approved by the Board of Regents and prioritized by the Colorado Department of Higher Education.

Read more about CU Boulder’s capital requests below.

Guggenheim Geography Building

Guggenheim has seen no significant remodels since its construction 115 years ago, DiStefano said. The building needs substantial restoration and modernization to address almost all of its systems, including electrical and fire alarm systems, lighting, HVAC and roofing.

CU Boulder estimates these improvements will cost $47.6 million total, of which the university will contribute $28.6 million. The funding request to the state is $19 million for fiscal year 2024–25.

Guggenheim provides office and workspace for almost 100 faculty, staff and students, but the building’s primary use is academic instruction.

Last fall, faculty from 13 academic departments taught 1,416 students enrolled in courses required to earn their degrees in Guggenheim. Classrooms were scheduled an average of 30 hours per week with an average student occupancy of 62%.

Macky Auditorium

In addition to serving as a historic theater and event space, Macky Auditorium contains six classrooms, office spaces for 92 faculty, staff and graduate students, and the new Center for African and African American Studies.

Macky is now 102 years old and in dire need of improvements, DiStefano said, including updates to meet current building and life-safety codes, stabilizing the structure, addressing drainage and foundation issues and restoring historic elements.

The project is divided into three phases, with a total cost of $76.4 million. In phase one, CU Boulder will provide 60% of the funding and is requesting $13.6 million from the state next fiscal year.

Other priorities

About 72% of the buildings at CU Boulder are more than 50 years old, and they require extra attention to ensure they are serving their intended purposes, operating efficiently and do not pose a risk to health and safety, DiStefano said.

As a result of aging infrastructure, the campus has a backlog of approximately $1.44 billion in deferred maintenance when housing and other auxiliary buildings and infrastructure are included.

As the campus addresses its deferred maintenance, it is also working hard to move closer to its campus sustainability and efficiency goals, DiStefano said. Those goals are guided by the Campus Master Plan and the Climate Action Plan, which is currently being updated with the goal of finalizing it in the upcoming spring semester.