New bill makes sure big hole on Auraria Campus will get filled

DENVER – The hole in the ground on the Auraria Campus will get filled after all following a measure signed by Gov. Bill Ritter on Monday.

"This hole in the ground is going to be filled with a world-class building that will provide opportunities for thousands of students who will be empowered to achieve their potential fully," said Ritter (D-Colorado), before signing Senate Bill 233 into law.

Ritter signed the measure Monday in front of a giant excavated pit on the Auraria Campus that will become the new science center for college students.

Ground had already been broken for the Auraria building because $37.5 million in financing had been earmarked for it. However, in March, no money was allocated to finish the new building.

Senate Bill 233 gives higher education a one-time boost of about $200 million in construction money from a new law governing oil and gas revenue. The bill also will provide money for 11 other college construction projects across the state.

"When it became evident that this building, which had originally planned to be financed over three years, could not be funded at all before its completion, (the governor and lawmakers) chose to look at this as a problem to be solved for all of higher education, not just for this building," said Metro State University President Dr. Steven Jordan. "(They) constructed a series of bills and resolutions which combined will affect $200 million in immediate construction for higher education throughout the state as well as create a legacy of funding for higher education long into our future."

"This building, in particular, will allow this campus to continue to serve more students of color in the sciences and science-based studies than any other campus in the state of Colorado at the very time when our demographics are shifting dramatically," said Jordan.