FY27 Compensation adjustment details


May 14, 2026

Dear faculty and staff,Ìý

I am writing to share an update and more details on compensation adjustments for the 2026-27 fiscal year following the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoard of regent approvals at their April meeting. Please keep in mind that nothing is final in terms of CU’s budget until the governor signs the state budget bill, which occurred on May 8, and the regents grant final Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØbudget approval at their June meeting.ÌýÌý

University staff, faculty and graduate student adjustmentsÌý

  • The Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØRegents approved a compensation frameworkÌýthat is an effective salary pool of 3.0%.Ìý
  • Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder will be applying the regents’ approved compensation framework as a 2.5% across-the-board increase for eligible university staff, a 2.5% merit pool for faculty and research faculty, a 2.5% across-the-board increase to the standard campus rate for graduate students on appointment, and a 2.5% across-the-board increase for temporary faculty contract by course rates requiring adjustment.Ìý
  • Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder will also apply a 0.5% targeted pool to address issues like retention for faculty and university staff. Campus leadership will determine how the funds in the targeted pool are allocated across employee groups and priorities, with additional information communicated later this year.ÌýÌý
  • The increases for graduate students on appointment will become effective in August for the 2026-27 academic year.Ìý
  • The increases for university staff and faculty will become effective Jan. 1, 2027.

Classified staff adjustmentsÌý

  • The regents approved step pay increases for eligible classified staffÌýas part of the proposed budget. These step pay increases were set by the collective bargaining agreement between COWINS and the state. The Joint Budget Committee (JBC) of the state of Colorado, included step increases in the long bill. The JBC made initial compensation decisions after balancing both difficult budget constraints and the state’s collective bargaining agreement with COWINS.Ìý
  • The step pay increases will take effect July 1, 2026, with eligibility determined by total years completed in employees’ current job series as of June 30, 2026.
  • The state budget also includes a provision that classified staff in the state benefits system will not see increases in health, life, or dental benefit premiums. This does not apply to employees who participate in the University of Colorado benefits system.Ìý

Consistent compensation increases

Our ongoing compensation efforts over the past several years reflect a broader commitment to supporting all employee groups. Campus leadership is taking a holistic, strategic, multi-year approach to increasing compensation.

More details/FAQs

We have updated the frequently asked questions on our compensation webpage to provide more detail on the compensation increases, including eligibility. Questions can also be directed to hrmail@colorado.edu.Ìý

Thank you for all you do to support our campus community. We remain committed to investing in you and your success.Ìý

Sincerely,
Ìý
Robyn FergusÌý
Vice Chancellor of Human ResourcesÌý
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