Overview of the System

Colorado State University System

Colorado State University System is comprised of three-campuses with very distinct roles and missions.  Its flagship, CSU in Fort Collins, was founded in 1870 as the Colorado Agricultural College, six years before the Colorado Territory became a state.

The school first opened its doors to students in 1879 with President Elijah Edwards and two faculty members. From these humble origins, a world-class university grew.

On July 1, 1985, the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System (then the State Board of Agriculture) created a higher education system incorporating Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Lewis College, and the University of Southern Colorado. The board designed the new Colorado State University System (CSUS) to assist the institutions in accomplishing their objectives and to provide staff support to the Board.

In 2002, Fort Lewis became a separate entity reducing the CSU System to two institutions, Colorado State University and the University of Southern Colorado. By statute enacted in 2002, the latter institution's name was changed to Colorado State University-Pueblo (CSU-Pueblo), effective July 1, 2003.

In 2007, the Board took the bold step to approve the creation of a new online university, CSU-Global Campus, to provide a significant population currently underserved access to a quality public education with the goal of earning a degree. The Board also believes Global Campus has the real potential to become a revenue generator for the CSU System, providing a new source of income, benefiting all CSU students in light of unpredictable state funding.

The Board of Governors and the CSU System work to further the roles of its three campuses to be integral contributors to the economic development of the state. Work force education, research funding and new business and product development are some of the areas where the institutions are excelling.

The university system's choice of learning environments, range of educational opportunities and hands-on experiences attract more than 30,000 new and returning scholars annually. Highly skilled graduates number more than 7,300 a year. And, more than 198,000 alumni live throughout the state, nation and world.

The board and CSU System recognize the unique and special characteristics of each institution and facilitate campus leadership to further develop those characteristics.

Colorado State University, Fort Collins

Inspired by its land-grant heritage, CSU is committed to excellence, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States and the world.

Colorado State University-Pueblo

CSU-Pueblo is committed to excellence, setting the standard for regional comprehensive universities in teaching, research and service by providing leadership and access for its region while maintaining its commitment to diversity.

Colorado State University-Global Campus

CSU-Global Campus is a next generation of a public higher education online university designed to provide access to underserved, nontraditional students who are unable to relocate near a four-year university to complete a traditional degree. Its programs are driven by the needs for professional development of the workforce.