Signature Authority Procedures
1. Purpose
The CU Boulder Signature Authority Policy sets forth the authority to sign given operational agreements, otherwise known as signature authority, on behalf of the CU Boulder campus and includes requirements for the execution and approval of various types of operational agreements.
2. Signature Authority and Delegation Matrix
The signature authority matrix serves as the single, comprehensive source for valid signature authority, unless otherwise exempted or reserved. The matrix rescinds and supercedes all previous delegations of signature authority.
The procurement of all goods and services, and their supporting agreements, must be made in accordance with the University of Colorado Procurement Rules to ensure accountability to the public and fairness of goods and services. See the Procurement Service Center website for all relevant rules and procedures.
All purchases requiring a contract shall be reviewed and processed in the following manner prior to committing university resources and/or receiving goods or services.
| Category of Contract | Business Review | Legal Review | Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority | Ability to Delegate | University of Colorado Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procurement Agreements Less than $500,000 | Originating Department | Procurement Service Center | Procurement Service Center | NO | Not Required |
Vendor Agreements $500,000 or greater | University Officers from originating department who are direct reports of the Chancellor or Executive Vice Chancellor | Procurement Service Center | Procurement Service Center | NO | Campus controller or Deputy Controller |
Agreements that bind the university to making present or future payments, but do not involve procurement, sponsored research, or sponsored projects
| Category of Contract | Business Review | Legal Review | Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority | Ability to Delegate | University of Colorado Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expenditure Agreements $5,000,000 or Less | Originating Department, Campus Controller's Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost OR Senior Vice Chancellors from the Originating department | NO | Not Required |
| Expenditure Agreements Greater than $5,000,000 | University Officers from originating department who are direct reports of the Chancellor or Executive Vice Chancellor; Campus Controller's Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | System approval needed | NO | President and University Controller |
Agreements that produce revenue for the university, but do not involve sponsored research or sponsored projects.
| Category of Contract | Business Review | Legal Review | Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority | Ability to Delegate | University of Colorado Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue Agreement Less than $500,000 | Originating Department | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost OR Senior Vice Chancellors from the Originating department | Yes Members of the Chancellor's Cabinet | Not Required |
| Revenue Agreement $500,000 - $5,000,000 | Originating Department | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost OR Senior Vice Chancellors from the Originating department | Yes Members of the Chancellor's Cabinet | Must notify President prior to execution IF the contract may pose significant reputational risk Executed contract must be submitted to the PSC's Central Contract Management System. |
| Revenue Agreements greater than $5,000,000 | University Officers from originating department who are direct reports of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost OR Senior Vice Chancellors from the Originating department; Campus Controller's Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | System approval needed | NO | President Executed contract must be submitted to the PSC's Central Contract Management System. |
All other agreements that do not produce costs or revenue for the university, and do not involve sponsored research or sponsored projects.
| Category of Contract | Business Review | Legal Review | Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority | Ability to Delegate | University of Colorado Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-Revenue Business Agreements a) MOUs and MOAs b) Affiliation Agreements c) Barter Agreements d) Non-Disclosure Agreements | Originating Department, Campus Controller's Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost OR Senior Vice Chancellors from the Originating department | Yes Members of Chancellor's the Cabinet | Not Required |
| Category of Contract | Business Review | Legal Review | Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority | Ability to Delegate | University of Colorado Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Property $5,000,000 or Less | Real Estate Services, Campus Controllers Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Chancellor or Senior Vice Chancellor for Business, Finance and Infrastructure | NO | Not Required |
| Real Property Greater than $5,000,000 | Real Estate Services, Campus Controllers Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | System approval needed | NO | President, and University Controller if University funds will be expended |
| Office of State Building Construction Contracts, Amendments, Change Orders, and related documents $5,000,000 or Less | Planning, Design, and Construction; Business Strategy Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Resilience | Yes. Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Management | Not Required |
| Office of State Building Construction Contracts, Amendments, Change Orders, and related documents Greater than $5,000,000 | Planning, Design, and Construction; Business Strategy Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | System approval needed | NO | President |
| Leases | Real Estate Services | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Chancellor or Senior Vice Chancellor for Business, Finance and Infrastructure | AVC for Real Estate Services | Not Required |
Agreements involving or supporting sponsored research or projects.
| Category of Contract | Business Review | Legal Review | Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority | Ability to Delegate | University of Colorado Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sponsored Research Agreements a) Sponsored Research or Sponsored Projects Not Involving University Intellectual Property b) Sponsored Research or Sponsored Projects Involving University Intellectual Property c) Grant and Contract Applications or Proposals d) Contract Awards e) Grant Awards f) Cooperative Agreements g) Outgoing Subcontracts and Subagreements h) Data Rights and Data Use Agreements i) Collaboration Agreements j) Memoranda of Understanding or Agreement k) Teaming Agreements l) Material Transfer Agreements m) Master Agreements n) Non Disclosure Agreements/Confidential Disclosure Agreements o) Bailment Agreements p) Service Agreements q) Certifications | Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG) | OCG | OCG Director | Yes. (See OCG Signature Authority Policy) | Not Required |
Sponsored Research Agreements Generating expenditures | Originating Department | OCG | OCG Director | Yes. (See OCG Signature Authority Policy) | Not Required |
| Technology Transfer Agreements | University Officers from originating department who are direct reports of the Chancellor or Executive Vice Chancellor | Technology Transfer Office | Vice Chancellor for Innovation | No | System approval needed |
| Non-Research Sponsorship Agreements | Originating Department | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost OR Senior Vice Chancellors from the Originating department | No | Not Required |
| Category of Contract | Business Review | Legal Review | Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority | Ability to Delegate | University of Colorado Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Settlement Agreements | Not Required | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Chancellor and Campus Controller | No | Not Required |
| Promissory Notes | Not Required | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Campus Controller | No | Not Required |
| Regulator Licensing Agreements | Originating Department | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Program Director | No | Not Required |
| Software Licensing Agreements | Originating Department | Not Required | Software Asset Management | No | Not Required |
| Athletics | Athletics Campus Controller's Office Budget and Finance | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Senior Vice Chancellor for Finance, Business and Infrastructure | Not Required |
(Version 2; Effective Date: 8/1/2026)
This Matrix is reviewed periodically and may be subject to change in response to business needs and to ensure alignment with all University policies and procedures. Please ensure you are consulting the most recent version for any future review. If you have questions or concerns, please consult with FiscalCompliance@Colorado.edu.
3. Signature Authority Delegation Procedures
Delegation(s) Scope and Limitations:
All Delegations of Signature Authority under this policy are subject to the requirements and limitations as described below.
No Delegate may exercise Signature Authority for any Operational Agreement, unless the Delegate first:
- Confirms that the Delegate has valid Signature Authority;
- Ensures that the Operational Agreement form, content, and monitoring complies with University of Colorado Fiscal Procedures;
- Follows all Conflict of Interest disclosure requirements and ensures compliance with University policies and procedures governing conflicts of interest, personal relationships, and fiscal propriety;
- Ensures business review of the Operational Agreement to determine appropriateness;
- Consults with the Boulder Campus Office of University Counsel regarding applicable law and legal sufficiency of the Operational Agreement as appropriate;
- Obtains approval from the Campus Controller or an authorized representative prior to executing any expenditure agreement with a value greater than $150,000; and
- Consults with and obtains approval from: (a) the Assistant Athletic Director for Licensing before entering into any Operational Agreement permitting the use of University athletic marks for promotional purposes, and (b) the Office of Strategic Relations and Communication before entering into any Operational Agreement permitting the use of any other University marks;
- Consults with the campus Privacy and Security Officer(s), Export Control Office, Venture Partners, University Tax Manager, and University Risk Management, as appropriate; and
- Ensures that negotiation, execution and performance are managed, in compliance with the Operational Agreement terms as well as applicable law and University policy. Delegators and delegates will review the Matrix and attest to its continued accuracy annually.