Published: Jan. 27, 2016
Attendees at CU Advocacy Day at the State Capitol

On Jan. 26, the CU Advocates program and the University of Colorado’s Office of Government Relations hosted the 2016 CU Advocacy Day at the state Capitol. Attendees received updates on the university’s recent educational, research and economic contributions. Lawmakers and CU officials also briefed advocates on CU’s legislative priorities, higher education’s funding outlook for this year and Colorado’s budget situation.

CU Advocates, including donor, supporters, students, alumni, faculty and staff from CU’s four campuses attended a program at the Colorado state Capitol featuring:

  • Bruce Benson, CU President
  • Michele McKinney, CU Assistant Vice President of Advocacy and External Relations
  • Todd Saliman, CU Vice President of Budget and Finance
  • Tanya Kelly-Bowry, CU Vice President of Government Relations
  • Chris Pacheco, Director of CU’s Pre-Collegiate Development Program
  • Dr. David Brain, Assistant Professor, CU-Boulder’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP)

The program, which also featured students from LASP and alumni of CU’s Pre-Collegiate Development Program, was interspersed by appearances and remarks from U.S. Senator Cory Gardner as well as State Senators Rollie Heath, Jack Tate, Matt Jones, Jesse Ulibarri and State Representative Joe Salazar. Senator Ulibarri and Representative Salazar are both alumni of CU’s Pre-Collegiate Development Program.

Following the program at the State Capitol, CU President Bruce Benson and CU Regent Chairman Kyle Hybl and CU Regent Sue Sharkey welcomed dozens of legislators and over 100 attendees for an evening reception at the Benson Mineral Group. CU Advocates were able to interface directly with legislators on bills of interest and promote CU’s legislative priorities for this year. 

Photo courtesy: Jon Arnold, Office of the President