Preparing leaders for government and nonprofits
Lead. Solve. Change.
Public affairs topics are at the center of almost every national debate.
From education policy to affordable housing, criminal justice reform to energy independence, these issues affect our neighborhoods, our cities and our society as a whole. To move forward and find solutions, the country needs leaders and collaborators with in-depth knowledge and a long-term vision.
Determined to make a difference in your community?
As Colorado’s top school for public affairs, public administration and criminal justice, CU Denver School of Public Affairs is a great place to start.
U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Graduate Schools rankings
#1 Best Public Affairs Program in Colorado (#28 in the nation)
#1 in Environmental Policy and Management in Colorado (#9 in the nation)
#1 in Nonprofit Management in Colorado (#14 in the nation)
#1 in Public Finance and Budgeting in Colorado (#14 in the nation)
#1 in Public Management and Leadership in Colorado (#22 in the nation)
#1 in Urban Policy in Colorado (#30 in the nation)
#1 in Public Policy Analysis in Colorado (#32 in the nation)
#3 Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs in Colorado (#24 in the nation)
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Featured events
Attend our events
We host more than 100 events each year featuring distinguished practitioners, community leaders and politicians. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of our events will be held virtually, unless otherwise indicated.
No events currently scheduled.
Featured news
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Q&A with criminal justice student Hannah Huyck
May 5, 2021 byIn this School of Public Affairs interview, student Hannah Huyck discusses her motivation to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Victims and Victim Services, how her internship experience led to a promotion, and her future plans.Full story -
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CU Denver Alum Deanne Criswell Confirmed as First Female Leader of FEMAOpens in a new window
Apr 22, 2021Today, Deanne B. Criswell, a University of Colorado Denver alum, was confirmed as the next administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). After graduating from CU Denver with a master in public administration in 2006, Criswell went on to manage the Office of Emergency Management for the City of Aurora, the third largest city in Colorado, from 2005 to 2011.Opens in a new window Full story -
School of Public Affairs alumni recognized with CU Denver Alumni Awards for 2021
Mar 31, 2021 byEach year the CU Denver Alumni Board honors individuals who have a record of distinction with the University of Colorado Denver and/or in their profession, community, and society at large. For 2021, three of the five award winners are alumni of the Master of Public Administration program at the CU Denver School of Public Affairs.Full story -
School of Public Affairs alumni make DBJ 40 Under 40 list for 2021
Mar 31, 2021 byCongratulations to Raymael Blackwell (MPA ’16), Travis Leiker (MPA ’14), and Robert Franklin II (MPA ’10), all three of whom have been named to the Denver Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list for 2021. These SPA alumni have been recognized for their contributions to their organizations and the Denver community.Full story -
School of Public Affairs ranks number 28 in country, number 1 in Colorado
Mar 30, 2021 byU.S. News & World Report today released its 2022 Best Graduate Schools Rankings, in which the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs is ranked number 28 in the nation overall, for public affairs programs. U.S. News also released its 2022 rankings for public affairs specialties, in which the School of Public Affairs was ranked highly in all five of its 2021 specialty rankings and is newly ranked in a sixth specialty category. This year’s overall ranking and specialty rankings maintains the school’s position as the top-ranked school of public affairs in Colorado.Full story -
MPA alumni Reitter and Shroll named managers of the year by CCCMA
Mar 30, 2021 byCU Denver School of Public Affairs alumni Brandy Reitter (MPA ’08) and Jeff Shroll (MPA ’93) were recognized as 2020 Managers of the Year by the Colorado City & County Management Association during its 2020 Annual Awards Celebration.Full story -
Individuals are key to Colorado’s creative economy resurgence
Mar 29, 2021 byDr. Jane Hansberry writes about the impact of COVID-19 on jobs in the arts and cultural sector and encourages individuals to do help with its resurgence through donations and ticket purchases.Full story -
The Unequal Cost of Brittle Power Infrastructure
Mar 18, 2021 byThe Texas winter storm in February 2021 and the ensuing blackout exposed problems of the unregulated power market, aging electricity infrastructure, and the lack of preparedness for frequent extreme weather events. But it also revealed social inequities in such problems. Dr. Serena Kim discusses the lessons that Coloradans can learn from Texans.Full story
School of Public Affairs
CU Denver
Lawrence Street Center
1380 Lawrence Street
500
Denver, CO 80204
303-315-2228
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