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CU research spending faces $87M decline

Federal funding cuts are expected to hit CU Boulder hardest next year.

News

The University of Colorado expects to spend nearly $90 million less on research next fiscal year, including a $60 million drop at CU Boulder alone.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Federal funding cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/05/20/boulder-budget-deficit-2027-federal-funding-cuts" data-vars-content-id="71851ee4-5b01-422f-963e-2faf1f22ea5b" data-vars-headline="CU research spending faces $87M decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/05/20/boulder-budget-deficit-2027-federal-funding-cuts" target="_self">Federal funding cuts</a> are punching a hole in CU&#x27;s research budget, even as the university system grows overall.

Baby animal rescues surge in Boulder County

Drought conditions may be driving more young animals into care.

Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center saw a surge in baby animals admitted to its care during the last month of spring. Why it matters: Wildlife experts feared <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/04/07/heatwave-drought-wildfire-risk-colorado-spring" data-vars-content-id="e547b704-505e-4a00-a5c2-deb82603d8f7" data-vars-headline="Baby animal rescues surge in Boulder County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/04/07/heatwave-drought-wildfire-risk-colorado-spring" target="_self">drought</a> would drive more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="animal rescues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/04/15/boulder-wildlife-rescues-dry-weather-risk" data-vars-content-id="e547b704-505e-4a00-a5c2-deb82603d8f7" data-vars-headline="Baby animal rescues surge in Boulder County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/04/15/boulder-wildlife-rescues-dry-weather-risk" target="_self">animal rescues</a>. So far, that&#x27;s exactly what&#x27;s happening.

Federal lab cuts could hamper fire forecasting efforts

Scientists say understanding fire growth is crucial for public safety.

Potential further cuts to federal science programs are threatening weather forecasts crucial to predicting wildfire behavior.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Much of the West" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/05/snowpack-west-washington-oregon-snow-drought-water-supply-climate" data-vars-content-id="c8969644-bb5d-4c90-95d2-08c952843434" data-vars-headline="Federal lab cuts could hamper fire forecasting efforts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/02/05/snowpack-west-washington-oregon-snow-drought-water-supply-climate" target="_self">Much of the West</a> saw a dry winter, an early sign that fire risk could be elevated throughout the region this summer.

Boulder Valley physics team wins international research trip

Ten Centaurus students will conduct experiments alongside particle physics experts.

Ten students from Lafayette&#x27;s Centaurus High School are headed to one of the world&#x27;s premier physics labs after winning an international science competition.Why it matters: The Boulder Valley students are the only U.S. team selected for the prestigious hands-on research opportunity.

Boulder County speller eliminated at national bee

One of two Colorado students advanced past Tuesday's opening rounds in Washington.

Boulder Valley&#x27;s representative was eliminated in the third round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Tuesday, but one Colorado speller did advance to the quarterfinals.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Derek Li" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/03/10/boulder-speller-scripps-national-spelling-bee" data-vars-content-id="8a554861-1814-4bcb-9365-92ba2e0c094e" data-vars-headline="Boulder County speller eliminated at national bee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/03/10/boulder-speller-scripps-national-spelling-bee" target="_self">Derek Li</a> of Superior and Nikhil Ganta of Timnath were among the 167 spellers to advance to the written tests in Washington, D.C.

What to watch at this year's CU Boulder Conference on World Affairs

The four-day event brings global experts and marks CU's 150th anniversary.

Culture

The University of Colorado Boulder kicks off its 78th annual Conference on World Affairs on Monday.Why it matters: The conference convenes global experts to examine major international issues while spotlighting CU&#x27;s role in shaping public discourse.

CU delays ChatGPT access for students

Faculty concerns push CU to delay student ChatGPT access until the fall semester.

The University of Colorado is postponing student access to ChatGPT until the fall semester amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="faculty concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/03/23/cu-boulder-professors-concerns-openai-chatgpt-deal" data-vars-content-id="f1bde272-61fd-43bd-814e-90a117c82f11" data-vars-headline="CU delays ChatGPT access for students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/03/23/cu-boulder-professors-concerns-openai-chatgpt-deal" target="_self">faculty concerns</a> about its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="OpenAI contract" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/02/12/cu-signs-openai-deal-chatgpt-access" data-vars-content-id="f1bde272-61fd-43bd-814e-90a117c82f11" data-vars-headline="CU delays ChatGPT access for students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/02/12/cu-signs-openai-deal-chatgpt-access" target="_self">OpenAI contract</a>.Why it matters: The move highlights growing academic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="faculty resistance" data-vars-click-url="https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRcp_9sojkgEs6Em9uloKvnK-2QbuVdgI3u6-zl0YQuZVe-r45sGPWiexoGuUx8wp78TF7jRZ3dRhgt/pub?urp=gmail_link" data-vars-content-id="f1bde272-61fd-43bd-814e-90a117c82f11" data-vars-headline="CU delays ChatGPT access for students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRcp_9sojkgEs6Em9uloKvnK-2QbuVdgI3u6-zl0YQuZVe-r45sGPWiexoGuUx8wp78TF7jRZ3dRhgt/pub?urp=gmail_link" target="_blank">faculty resistance</a> to AI in classrooms, spanning resources, governance and student impact.

CU Boulder professors raise concerns over ChatGPT deal

Professors cite ethics, environmental and learning concerns with CU's AI deal.

University of Colorado Boulder professors are raising questions about the school&#x27;s contract with OpenAI to provide ChatGPT to all students.Why it matters: The deal is fueling faculty unease about the ethics of artificial intelligence and its environmental impact and potential effects on student learning and mental health.

CU announces Conference on World Affairs lineup and speakers

CU Boulder will host 60+ speakers as it launches its 150th anniversary celebration.

The University of Colorado Boulder opened registration and released the full schedule for its April 13–16 Conference on World Affairs.Why it matters: The annual conference convenes global experts on major issues and will help launch the university&#x27;s 150th anniversary celebration.

BVSD blocks ChatGPT over new safety concerns

District leaders cite concerns over chatrooms and adult-mode features.

The Boulder Valley School District has blocked ChatGPT on school networks and devices amid concerns over two new features the district says pose safety risks for students.Why it matters: As more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="students use AI in and out of the classroom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/04/kids-ai-use-schools-reading-writing" data-vars-content-id="15b80277-c9df-41a6-b5ab-cf981583daac" data-vars-headline="BVSD blocks ChatGPT over new safety concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/04/kids-ai-use-schools-reading-writing" target="_self">students use AI in and out of the classroom</a>, districts are weighing how to balance innovation with student safety.

CU Boulder makes top 100 "Best Colleges"

The University of Colorado Boulder earned a top-100 ranking.

The University of Colorado Boulder earned a top-100 ranking in the U.S. News &amp; World report&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 Best Colleges" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/41671731.94/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNuZXdzLmNvbS9iZXN0LWNvbGxlZ2VzP3NyYz11c25fcHImdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/67ed5b00e43ce1143eb82a7eCfa7c4815" data-vars-content-id="84fe7c94-1b6d-439c-a524-904247b8b505" data-vars-headline="CU Boulder makes top 100 &quot;Best Colleges&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/41671731.94/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNuZXdzLmNvbS9iZXN0LWNvbGxlZ2VzP3NyYz11c25fcHImdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/67ed5b00e43ce1143eb82a7eCfa7c4815" target="_self">2026 Best Colleges</a> list out Tuesday.Why it matters: The share of Americans who say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="college" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/09/college-blue-collar-gen-z" data-vars-content-id="84fe7c94-1b6d-439c-a524-904247b8b505" data-vars-headline="CU Boulder makes top 100 &quot;Best Colleges&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/09/college-blue-collar-gen-z" target="_self">college</a> is &quot;very important&quot; plummeted over the past decade, but CU Boulder has enjoyed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strong retention rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2025/08/14/cu-boulder-chancellor-justin-schwartz-goals-2025" data-vars-content-id="84fe7c94-1b6d-439c-a524-904247b8b505" data-vars-headline="CU Boulder makes top 100 &quot;Best Colleges&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2025/08/14/cu-boulder-chancellor-justin-schwartz-goals-2025" target="_self">strong retention rates</a> in recent years.

Boulder Valley students are setting Chromebooks on fire thanks to TikTok

Colorado schools are warning of a new TikTok craze in which students try to set their school-issued Chromebooks on fire.

The hottest trend in Colorado schools is fire. Literally.State of play: Colorado schools are warning of a new TikTok craze in which students try to set their school-issued Chromebooks on fire by sticking metal or pencils into the charging port.

Buffs buck trend by emphasizing spring game

While other schools have moved away from spring games, CU's has never been more popular.

Sports

The University of Colorado&#x27;s Black and Gold Spring Game saw more than 20,000 fans gather for the third consecutive year under head coach Deion Sanders.Why it matters: While other schools have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moved away from spring games" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/44152063/2025-college-football-spring-game-changes" data-vars-content-id="5fa0ce45-d424-489b-84b8-646263b2ab71" data-vars-headline="Buffs buck trend by emphasizing spring game" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/44152063/2025-college-football-spring-game-changes" target="_blank">moved away from spring games</a>, CU&#x27;s has never been more popular, and school officials plan to continue the tradition.

Education 📚

CU research spending faces $87M decline

Boulder County speller eliminated at national bee

Colorado voters to decide on TABOR refunds or more school funding

What to watch at this year's CU Boulder Conference on World Affairs

CU delays ChatGPT access for students