A proposal to move the offices of the University of Colorado president and regents from Boulder to Denver faced stiff opposition Wednesday from some regents who questioned the need for the change.
Regent Michael Carrigan distributed a resolution calling for the move to be studied. Carrigan said a move would reinforce that the CU president represents all of the university’s four campuses.
But Regent Cindy Carlisle said a move was unnecessary and would be expensive.
“What objective does it serve? What objective is met by moving?” she asked, adding that a similar proposal in 1996 had a cost estimate of $600,000.
Regent Pete Steinhauer said a lot of CU employees live in Boulder and that the move would lengthen their commutes.
“This is going to disrupt a lot of lives,” he added. “We need a lot of discussion on this. Maybe a whole day.”
Both regents opposing the idea are from Boulder. Carrigan is from Denver.
CU president Betsy Hoffman said a move was discussed even before she arrived at the campus and that she supports it.
“We need to move as close as possible to the Capitol,” she said. “It will emphasize the role of the president as fundraiser.”
Incoming interim president Hank Brown, who lives in Denver, endorsed the move Tuesday.
Carrigan said he would consider changes to the resolution if other regents submit them overnight, but he still wants regents to vote on it at today’s meeting.
Hoffman said many members of her staff live in Denver or its suburbs and would welcome the move.
Hoffman, who leaves her job at the end of June, said some of the costs would be offset by selling the current buildings to the Boulder campus for an expansion there.
The current president’s office would likely be remodeled into a community center, she said.
She added that she would like to see the move completed sometime in the 2006 fiscal year, which starts in July, if regents approve the proposal to research the issue.
Staff writer Arthur Kane can be reached at 303-820-1626 or akane@denverpost.com.
