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.

Apr 30, 2026 by Laura McHugh

Interim Dean Christopher M. Weible traveled to Rome to join international scholars and experts in examining how technology can strengthen democracy and protect individual rights rather than erode them.

Apr 21, 2026 by Laura McHugh

Students and faculty from the School of Public Affairs (SPA) will participate in the 83rd annual conference of the Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA), one of the largest and most influential political science conferences in the world. The conference takes place April 23-26, 2026, and brings together more than 4,000 scholars, researchers, and practitioners from across the United States and more than 65 countries.

Apr 16, 2026 by Laura McHugh

Colorado nonprofits did not emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic into stability. Instead, many entered a prolonged period of adjustment marked by expiring relief funding, rising costs, and persistent workforce strain. A November 2025 report from the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs captures this turning point and highlights why the conditions nonprofits faced in mid-2024 still shape the sector's outlook in 2026.

Apr 15, 2026 by Laura McHugh

Eleven School of Public Affairs (SPA) students spent the past semester conducting original research on gun violence policy in the United States. Their projects examine issues ranging from victim services and policy implementation to state-level trends in firearm-related homicide and suicide. This spring, they will share their findings with the campus Research and Creative Activities Symposium (RaCAS) on April 24.

Apr 13, 2026 by Laura McHugh

Cities are often described as chaotic, fragmented, and overstretched. Yet every day, they continue to function, delivering services, supporting millions of residents, and adapting to constant change. According to José “Pepe” Sánchez, assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs, this endurance is not accidental. It is the result of governance.

Apr 10, 2026 by Laura McHugh

The School of Public Affairs is proud to announce that two alumni, Brandy Reitter and Kathleen E. Hodgson, have been named 250 Champions as part of the national Government Champions 250 Initiative, led by the National Academy of Public Administration and LocalGov250.

Apr 8, 2026

The University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) boasts top statewide recognition in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Graduate Schools Rankings, with nine graduate programs ranked No. 1 in Colorado. An additional 14 programs placed among the top 75 nationally within their disciplines. The strongest showing came from the School of Public Affairs, with six of the top-ranked Colorado programs.

Apr 6, 2026 by Laura McHugh

The Center for Policy and Democracy (CPD) at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs will welcome two prominent scholars this April whose work spans public policy, democratic institutions, and environmental governance. Mallory Elizabeth SoRelle of Duke University and Mark N. Lubell of the University of California, Davis will join CPD for a series of events designed to deepen research collaboration and engage students, faculty, and community partners.

Apr 3, 2026 by Laura McHugh

Students from the University of Colorado Denver’s School of Public Affairs (SPA) and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Department of Political Science are participating in an immersive international study program in partnership with the Department of Public and Social Policy at the Institute of Sociological Studies, at Charles University in Prague. The initiative brings together 16 students from the United States and Czechia for an intensive academic and experiential exploration of “Just Energy Transitions” across Europe and the U.S.

Apr 2, 2026 by Laura McHugh

Today marks CU Denver Giving Day, a 24-hour celebration of generosity and collective impact that brings together alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community supporters. The CU Denver School of Public Affairs (SPA) is proud to participate, inviting donors to help students “Make it Real” by supporting the School of Public Affairs Scholarship Fund and other student-focused resources.

Mar 20, 2026 by Laura McHugh

For the University of Colorado School of Public Affairs (SPA), COPPR 2026 was a vivid display of community, mentorship, and scholarly leadership. SPA students, alumni, and faculty made their presence felt throughout the program and contributed to many of the conference’s most active discussions.

Mar 19, 2026

The term affordable housing is often heard in cities, politics, and business, but what does it actually mean? For CU Denver faculty, the issue is as complex as it is important—and addressing it requires multidisciplinary and multisectoral approaches. That’s why the College of Architecture and Planning (CAP), the School of Public Affairs (SPA), and the Center for New Directions in Politics and Public Policy within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) have partnered to launch the university’s first-ever graduate certificate in affordable housing.

Mar 9, 2026 by Laura McHugh

The University of Colorado named Tony Gherardini, a distinguished public-sector leader and valued member of our School of Public Affairs (SPA) Advisory Board, the Vice President of Human Resources for the CU system.

Feb 24, 2026 by Laura McHugh

In January, Associate Teaching Professor Wendy Bolyard led a cohort of nine CU Denver students, seven from the School of Public Affairs, on an immersive study abroad experience in Rwanda and Uganda as part of PUAD 4600/6600: International Development and Social Entrepreneurship in Rwanda and Uganda. Most participants were Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) students seeking to deepen their understanding of global development systems while building cross-cultural leadership skills.

Feb 13, 2026

Every semester, each school and college publishes a Dean’s List honoring students who demonstrate high scholastic achievement. CU Denver uses a fixed criterion across all schools and colleges for determining eligibility for the Dean’s List. This policy applies to undergraduate students. For fall and spring semesters, students must successfully complete nine graded hours in the semester. In the summer semester, students must complete six graded hours. This is the complete list of students included in the Fall 2025 Dean’s List. Names are categorized by first and last names; last names are alphabetized.