Colorado public colleges and universities try to keep student services safe from budget ‘belt tightening’
Staff reductions at the Colorado School of Mines. About $54 million in cuts at Colorado State University Fort Collins. And tapping endowment funds to sustain scholarships for students with farmer worker or migrant backgrounds at Adams State University.…
Colorado’s public colleges and universities are implementing cost-cutting measures to maintain student services amid budget constraints. These cuts include staff reductions, such as at the Colorado School of Mines, where about $54 million in budget cuts were made. Adams State University has tapped endowment funds to sustain scholarships for students from migrant or farmworker backgrounds, as federal grants have been reduced.
Colorado State University Fort Collins, the system’s largest university, faced a budget deficit ranging from $38 million to $48 million for the 2026-27 school year and enacted a 3% salary increase while cutting $54 million. The university also experienced a 1.5% decrease in full-time positions, mostly through layoffs and administrative cuts.
While leaders aim to preserve key services, the fiscal challenges are expected to persist for several years, potentially impacting students' access to majors, academic advising, and overall resources.
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