The University of Colorado Denver has raised $4 million from businesses and individuals to help pay for renovations to its new business school expected to open next year.
Those who donated will have their names placed in classroom, office or other public space in the school’s new home at 1475 Lawrence St.
Among those naming spaces in the building are Pinnacol Assurance, FirstBank, Encana, Van Gilder Insurance Corp., ProLogis, Wells Fargo, Dave and Laura Baker, and David and Patricia Laube.
The total capital campaign goal for renovations to the building is an estimated $20 million. So far, the university has identified $10 million in funding, including the $4 million for the named spaces.
Opportunities to name space in the building range from a plaque on the donor wall for gifts of $10,000 to naming the first-floor event center for $3 million. A $10 million donation would give naming rights to the entire building.
When the building opens a year from now, it will bring the business school under one roof from nine locations scattered across the Auraria campus.
“The interesting thing about the business school location on Lawrence Street is it begins to tie the educational assets to the business community,” said Sueann Ambron, dean of the school. The spaces we’re constructing are designed to bring the business community and the business school together.”
In 2008, UC Denver paid $24 million for the 100,000-square-foot building, which is expected to open next January. In addition to classrooms, the building will offer conference and event space for companies as part of the school’s ongoing mandate to meet the needs of the business community.
The business school is hosting a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Baur’s Ristorante to celebrate the progress on its new home and honor the companies and people who have donated to the project.
Margaret Jackson: 303-954-1473 or mjackson@denverpost.com
