---

News

May 13, 2026 by Laura McHugh

For Jordan Etchells, service has never been abstract. After joining the U.S. Army straight out of high school, Jordan spent the next two decades in uniform, building a career shaped by leadership, operational responsibility, and decision-making with real-world consequences. This month, he will graduate from the University of Colorado Denver’s School of Public Affairs, marking a milestone that brings together his military service, academic work, and next chapter of public service. Along the way, he lived in many places and served in both operational and strategic environments, but Colorado remained a constant thread.

May 11, 2026

Choosing CU Denver was easy for Laura Zabaleta Arias. The criminal justice program in the School of Public Affairs (SPA) appealed to her. She loved the diverse student body and the Auraria Campus, which felt both collegiate and exciting due to its downtown Denver location. But most of all, CU Denver was close to her parents, who at the time lived in Aurora and did not speak English.

May 8, 2026 by Laura McHugh

As part of the School of Public Affairs’ First Fridays event series, SPA partnered with the College of Arts & Media to host a panel discussion on artistic voice and civic expression. The conversation brought together artists, scholars, and arts leaders to explore how creative work shapes public discourse, community identity, and civic life.

May 6, 2026 by Laura McHugh

The University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs (SPA) will host the next installment of the Colorado Certified Public Manager® (CPM) program on May 8 & 9, 2026, bringing public sector professionals from across the state to the Auraria Campus and on Zoom for Public Engagement and Communication, a cornerstone course in Colorado’s premier public management certificate. This course is taught in a live, hybrid format by two experienced local government executives who bring a balance of academic knowledge and practical expertise to the classroom.

May 4, 2026 by Laura McHugh

Each year, during the first week of May, communities across the country come together to celebrate Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW). Led nationally by the Partnership for Public Service, PSRW honors the millions of individuals who serve our nation as federal, state, county, local, and tribal government employees. At the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs (SPA), this week is an opportunity to recognize the dedication, professionalism, and resilience that define public service and to reaffirm our shared commitment to serving the public good.

May 1, 2026 by Laura McHugh

The University of Colorado Denver’s School of Public Affairs (SPA) has once again been recognized among the nation’s top Public Affairs graduate programs, earning No. 20 (tied) in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings.