Property and Equipment

Property includes all items acquired on a sponsored award, such as supplies, materials, capital and non-capital equipment, computers, and electronic devices.

Government-titled property encompasses all assets, tangible or intangible, owned or leased by the government. The University must follow specific mandated requirements for managing this property. Additional guidance to manage government property is found atGovernment Property.

University Property refers to property owned by the CU Boulder. Any property acquired with Federal or University funds is considered University property unless the title belongs to the sponsor or Government.

Capital Equipment is a tangible, durable, non-expendable item that:

• Meets the University’s capitalization rules.
• Is functionally complete for its intended purpose. 

Types of Capital Equipment

• Standalone Equipment: A commercially available, non-expendable item exempt from indirect costs per University capitalization rules.
• Fabrication: A one-of-a-kind piece of equipment created by transforming materials, supplies, and hardware for a specific research need.
  • All components must be essential to the function of the fabrication.
  • Costs may include materials, freight, construction, installation, training, or assembly labor.
  • Materials used for testing or construction but are not integrated into the final unit (e.g. fuels, gasses, compressed air) are considered supplies and not capitalizable fabrication costs.
  • For projects involving fabrications or modifications to an existing fabrication, complete the required forms available on Property Central.

Non-Capital Property or Equipment includes non-consumable tangible items that do not meet the capitalization threshold.

• Items that are not classified as capital or non-capital equipment are considered supplies.
• Most supplies are consumable and are used during the project’s duration.
• Computers and electronic devices costing less than $5,000 are considered non-consumable supplies (or non-capital property).
• Devices costing $5,000 or more are classified as capital equipment.

Tangible property that isn't capital equipment or noncapital property. Most supplies are consumable and used up during a sponsored project.

Non-Consumable supplies include: Computers and Electronic Devices if they cost less than $5000.

• Computers and electronics are capital equipment if they cost more than $5000.

Includes all items, regardless of cost, that require special control and accountability.

Reasons for special control:

• Unusual rates of loss, theft, or misuse
• National security or export control considerations

Examples:

• Information technology equipment with memory capability.
• Cameras
• Communications equipment
• Other electronic and computing devices