Campus Expansion & Academic Growth at CSU
By Staff Reporter | Special Holiday Feature
Record Enrollment and Program Expansion
This fall, all branches of the CSU System posted growth in student numbers. Total enrollment across the system reached 44,807. (newsmediarelations.colostate.edu)
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At the flagship campus in Fort Collins (commonly just “CSU”), for the first time ever the incoming class included the largest number of in-state students on record.
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The entering first-year class at CSU had high academic credentials (median high school GPA 3.72), and comprised 32% racially/ethnically diverse students, 27% first-generation, and 9% rural Colorado residents.
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Undergraduate programs such as Engineering and Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences saw substantial growth: the Engineering college grew by 289 students (7.8%), and Veterinary/Biomedical by 145 (6.9%).
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The university recorded improved student success metrics: first-to-second-year retention hit a record 87.9%, four-year graduation rate rose to 50.9%, and six-year rate to 66.6%.
By Staff Reporter | Special Holiday Feature
Meanwhile, at CSU Global (the system’s fully online campus), new fully-online programs were launched on November 10, 2025: including Bachelor’s degrees in Health Sciences and Agile Project Management, a MBA in Supply Chain & Operations Management, and certificates in Construction Management and Human Resource Management.
These expansions reflect a sustained emphasis on accessibility, flexibility, and aligning curricula to workforce demands. CSU Global’s offerings aim to equip learners with practical, career-relevant skills.
CSU Recognized for Mental Health and Support Services
Beyond academics, CSU has also earned recognition for its student support infrastructure: it was recently named among the top 30 schools in the U.S. for mental health resources.
This ranking underscores the university’s commitment to holistic student welfare — a timely acknowledgment given increasing attention nationwide on mental health and campus support systems.
By Staff Reporter | Special Holiday Feature
🤖 Innovation on Campus: Robots, Remote Learning, and Future-Focused Infrastructure
CSU continues to embrace technological and educational innovation. On the Fort Collins campus, a fleet of autonomous delivery robots — operated in partnership with Starship Technologies and facilitated through GrubHub — began serving food and drinks to students and staff in early 2025.
These robots navigate campus on sidewalks and streets, using sensors and cameras to avoid obstacles and pedestrians. Though still refining their navigation and routing logic, early reports indicate they are already functioning as a convenient, novel service.
At the same time, the program expansion at CSU Global underscores how the institution is adapting to evolving demands for remote and flexible education — a trend accelerated by broader shifts in the workplace and technology.
By Staff Reporter | Special Holiday Feature
🏀 Athletics & Institutional Moves: New Coach, Big Wins, Conference Shift
New Leadership: Welcome to Coach Jim Mora
In early December 2025, CSU formally introduced Jim Mora as the university’s new head football coach. He held a press conference on campus attended by alumni, players, family members and fans. (KUNC)
Mora expressed bold ambitions, saying he hopes “every kid in Colorado to aspire to be a member of this football program.” (CBS News)
His arrival marks a new chapter for Rams football — one likely to bring renewed energy, recruiting momentum, and perhaps a shift in the team’s competitive ambitions.
Big Win on the Court — Beating Rival Colorado Buffaloes
On December 7, 2025, CSU’s men’s basketball team earned a 91–86 non-conference victory over rival Colorado — fueled by an explosive 18-of-35 performance from three-point range (51.4%). (Reuters)
Standout players included Josh Pascarelli (8-of-10 from deep) and Kyle Jorgensen, who converted a three-point play in the final minutes to secure the win. Pascarelli finished with 26 points, and Jorgensen added 21. (Reuters)
This win pushed CSU to a 7–2 record and handed Colorado their first loss of the season, offering a strong early-season statement for the Rams. (Reuters)
Big Institutional Shift — CSU to Join the Pac-12 Conference
Perhaps the boldest move in CSU athletics — and institutional identity — is the decision to leave the Mountain West Conference after 2025 and join the reformed Pac-12 beginning July 1, 2026. (CBS News)
The move affects 16 NCAA Division I varsity sports programs (10 women’s and 6 men’s). (CBS News)
According to university leadership, this shift is designed to “elevate CSU,” strengthening its academic and research reputation, raising its athletic profile, and expanding media exposure and revenue potential. (CBS News)
Athletics observers expect the shift to open new recruitment pipelines, renew conference rivalries, and raise the competitiveness bar for CSU teams.
By Staff Reporter | Special Holiday Feature
🏛️ Colorado Statewide — Politics, Budget, Health & Governance
While much of the spotlight remains on CSU, several statewide developments in Colorado have major implications for all residents — including students, university stakeholders, and everyday citizens.
Budget Crisis — Deep Cuts and Fiscal Pressure
The state is grappling with a large budget shortfall in 2025–26: about an $800 million gap driven by cuts at the federal level via the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” reduced revenues, and higher Medicaid costs. (blackchronicle.com)
In response, Jared Polis, the governor of Colorado, signed an executive order extending prior spending cuts — suspending some expenditures and ordering belt-tightening across state agencies. (blackchronicle.com)
Under the revised 2026-27 budget proposal for the state, general fund spending is to increase modestly by 2.3% (to about $18.6 billion), and the so-called “rainy day” reserve fund will be drawn down from 15% to 13% of general spending. (Colorado Public Radio)
These developments place pressure on public services, including K–12 education and higher education. Earlier in 2025, higher education institutions had already voiced concern about underfunding and tuition pressures amid reduced state support. (Colorado Public Radio)
Public Health — Colorado Rejects Federal Rollback on Newborn Hepatitis-B Shots
In a significant public-health decision, Colorado has rejected a recent federal recommendation to roll back mandatory hepatitis B vaccination for newborns. Instead, state health officials have urged providers to continue newborn vaccination, consistent with the decades-old practice in Colorado. (Axios)
Colorado officials highlighted that maternal screening plus existing vaccination efforts have effectively eliminated perinatal hepatitis B transmission in the state — with no reported cases since 2016. (Axios)
The decision underscores tension between state and federal health policy, especially around immunization guidelines — a dynamic likely to play out in coming months. (Axios)
Political Landscape Shifts — Redistricting & Election-Year Challenges
Earlier in December 2025, state Sen. Julie Gonzales announced she will challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper in the 2026 Democratic primary. (Colorado Newsline)
This challenge may reshape the Democratic contest for Colorado’s U.S. Senate seat, reflecting shifting currents within the party. (Colorado Newsline)
At the same time, lawmakers across the state are examining constitutional amendments to grant emergency redistricting powers — a response to recent shifts and vacancies in state legislative seats and concern about fair representation. (Colorado Newsline)
By Staff Reporter | Special Holiday Feature
🔎 What This Means for CSU and Colorado Residents
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For CSU students and families: growing enrollment and expanded online offerings mean more choices and flexibility — whether you’re a first-year undergrad, a working adult seeking career advancement, or someone needing remote learning.
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For campus culture: the increased focus on student success, mental health resources, and modern conveniences (like robot-delivered food) suggest CSU is investing more broadly in student well-being and campus life.
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For athletics and reputation: shifting to the Pac-12 — coupled with a new coach and early athletic wins — positions CSU for greater exposure, recruitment, and competitiveness. This may affect everything from school pride to funding, alumni engagement, and future prospects for student-athletes.
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For Colorado citizens: the state’s budget struggles, healthcare policy stances, and political shifts highlight uncertainty in public services, education funding, and social programs. The rejection of the vaccine rollback shows Colorado asserting its own public-health priorities even when federal policy shifts, which could signal future tension over health and social policy.
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For prospective students/out-of-state applicants: CSU’s growing diversity, increased online program offerings, and stable support structures make it potentially more attractive. But like other institutions, CSU may feel the ripple effects of statewide budget constraints, which could affect tuition, financial aid, and services.
By Staff Reporter | Special Holiday Feature
📰 Key Recent Headlines from CSU and Colorado
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CSU breaks enrollment records, with historic incoming class and strongest retention & graduation rates in years. (newsmediarelations.colostate.edu)
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CSU Global launches five new online degree and certificate programs to meet workforce demand. (PR Newswire)
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A fleet of autonomous delivery robots begins food delivery on CSU’s Fort Collins campus. (CBS News)
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CSU named one of the top 30 U.S. schools for mental-health resources. (KCSU FM)
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CSU men’s basketball defeats Colorado 91–86, powered by an 18-of-35 three-point performance. (Reuters)
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CSU announces shift from Mountain West to the reformed Pac-12 in 2026. (CBS News)
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Jim Mora formally introduced as CSU’s new head football coach. (KUNC)
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Colorado rejects federal rollback of newborn hepatitis B vaccination, maintaining statewide immunization standards. (Axios)
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Governor Polis extends spending cuts amid an $800M budget shortfall; higher education and public services remain under pressure. (blackchronicle.com)
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State Sen. Julie Gonzales launches primary challenge to U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper — a sign of shifting political tides ahead of 2026. (Colorado Newsline)
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