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News

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.