On this page:

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 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
Vendor Agreements
$5,000 or Less		 Originating Department Not Required Individuals Authorized by the Chancellor NO Not Required
Vendor Agreements 
greater than $5,000 
but less than $50,000 
 		 Originating Department Procurement Service Center Procurement Service Center NO Not Required
Vendor Agreement 
$50,000 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

Category of Contract Business Review Legal Review Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority Ability to Delegate University of Colorado Approval
Non-Procurement Expenditure Agreements 
$5,000,000 or Less		 Originating Department, Campus Controller's Office Boulder Office of University Counsel University Officers from originating department who are direct reports of the Chancellor or Executive Vice Chancellor NO Not Required
Non-Procurement 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

Category of Contract Business Review Legal Review Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority Ability to Delegate University of Colorado Approval
Non-Research Revenue Agreements
$5,000,000 or Less		 Originating Department Boulder Office of University Counsel

Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost OR Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer

Yes. The EVC for Academic Affairs may delegate to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation

 Not Required
Non-Research Revenue 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

Category of Contract Business Review Legal Review Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority Ability to Delegate University of Colorado Approval

Non-Revenue Business Agreements

  • MOUs
  • Affiliation Agreements
  • Athletic Agreements 
  • Barter Agreements
 Originating Department, Campus Controller's Office Boulder Office of University Counsel

Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost OR Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer

Yes. May delegate to University Officers from originating department who are direct reports of the Chancellor or Executive Vice Chancellor

 Not Required

Category of Contract Business Review Legal Review Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority Ability to Delegate University of Colorado Approval
Real Property Contracts
$5,000,000 or Less		 Real Estate Services, Campus Controllers Office Boulder Office of University Counsel Chancellor or Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Sustainability  NO Not Required
Real Property Contracts
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 
$500,000,000 or Less		 Planning, Design, and Construction; Business Strategy Office  Boulder Office of University Counsel Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Sustainability

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

Procedural or administrative documents necessary to manage the construction contractor/consultant selection process; Administration of all Office of State Building contracts, amendments, and change orders
Regardless of Value

 Planning, Design, and Construction; Business Strategy Office  Boulder Office of University Counsel Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Sustainability

Yes. Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Management 

 Not Required

Category of Contract Business Review Legal Review Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority Ability to Delegate University of Colorado Approval
Sponsored Research Agreements
Involving University Intellectual Property 
$5,000,000 or Less		 Originating Department Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG) OCG Director

Yes. See OCG Signature Authority Policy.

 Associate Vice President of Technology Transfer
Technology Transfer Agreements University Officers from originating department who are direct reports of the Chancellor or Executive Vice Chancellor  Technology Transfer Office System approval needed No Associate Vice President of Technology Transfer

Service and Revenue Generating Agreements 
Research-related
$5,000,000 or Less

  • Sponsored Research Not Involving University Intellectual Property
  • Sponsored Research Involving University Intellectual Property
  • Grant Applications and Contract Proposals
  • Contract Awards
  • Grant Awards
  • Cooperative Agreements
  • Subcontracts and Subagreements
  • Data Rights and Data Use Agreements
  • Collaboration Agreements (Research-oriented)
  • Memoranda of Understanding (Research-oriented)
  • Teaming Agreements
  • Material Transfer Agreements
  • Clinical Trial Confidentiality Agreements
  • Non Disclosure Agreements/Confidential Disclosure Agreements
  • Bailment Agreements
  • Service Agreements
  • Certifications

 OCG OCG OCG Director Yes. See OCG Signature Authority Policy. Not Required
Non-Research Sponsorship Agreements Originating Department Boulder Office of University Counsel

Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost OR Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer

Yes. The EVC for Academic Affairs may delegate to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation

 Not Required

Category of Contract Business Review Legal Review Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority Ability to Delegate University of Colorado Approval
Agreements Involving Operation of Advancement Advancement Not Required Vice Chancellor for Advancement

Yes. Assistant Vice Chancellor and Executive Director, Alumni Association

 Not Required
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

Agreements to Enforce Laws and Policies Related to Radiation Safety

  • compliance with the University’s Radioactive Materials License issued by the State of Colorado
  • supporting functions of radiation safety committee
 Environmental Health and Safety Not Required Radiation Safety Officer and Staff No Not Required
Contract for promotional use of Athletic Marks Athletics Boulder Office of University Counsel Assistant Athletic Director for Licensing No Not Required

(Version 1; Effective Date: 8/1/2024)

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. 

4. Resources