CU tuition is why most Coloradans, especially those from rural, low income and working class families don’t apply. They face an average $21,000 in debt that takes 12 years to repay. In the 1970s, tuition was 24% of the cost and the state provided 76%, but now state support is 30% and families pay 70%. For 50 years, the GOP majority on the CU Regents have ignored this, raising costs again this coming year by 4.3%. They are more concerned with political issues such as removing the word “liberal” from liberal arts. I will focus the Regents on dropping tuition by adjusting priorities in a $4 Billion budget and aggressively calling the Legislature to account. I also want everyone, no matter what their background, to feel welcome at CU, be they urban, rural, veteran, conservative, LGBTQ or liberal. Exposure to new ideas is what a university education is all about.