Congratulations!

Metro State’s priority capital project, the Auraria Higher Education Center Science Building, has been fully funded. Your expressions of support for this project played an important role in restoring funding for this project.

For more information about the Auraria Science Building and other project go to Metro State is Rising

In late March 2008, the Colorado General Assembly received a lower-than-expected revenue forecast. Funding to continue the AHEC Science Building project was pulled. In the week that followed, a new funding source was identified and three measures were introduced in to the legislature. Each of the three passed prior to the adjournment of the General Assembly on May 7, ensuring that the AHEC Science Building Construction & Renovation will be fully funded.

SB 218 | SB 233 | HJR 1026

Press Release: Governer Ritter Signs Higher-Ed Construction Bill into Law

State funding for the AHEC Science Building is essential! Why?

• The current science building presents health and safety hazards because of overcrowding and outdated HVAC systems. Two labs have had to be closed due to dangerous levels of chemical fumes and inadequate ventilation.
  
  
• AHEC has already begun construction of the Science Building , based on an appropriation from the state last year. If state funding doesn’t come through this year, the project is placed in serious jeopardy and will – at a minimum - result in very costly delays.
  
  
• The AHEC Science Building supports the training of future science and technology workers. The new science building, with students from all three institutions, will educate more future scientists of color than any other location in the state and support the state’s economic development.

Background on AHEC & the Science Building Proposal

• The student population on the AHEC campus has grown 250% since the campus opened in 1976 and now serves 39,000 students.
  
  
• One fifth of all public higher education students in Colorado attend classes at Auraria, the majority of them Metro State students. The number of students has doubled since Auraria opened, with only a 15% increase in space and 8.9% of the capital construction funds distributed to higher education institutions in the past 10 years.
  
  
• Colorado has the highest concentration of high-tech workers in all 50 states. The new science building on the Auraria campus will help support Colorado ’s fast-growing high-tech/science industries, enhancing Colorado ’s economic development.
  
  
• Metro State students will gain 13 biology, chemistry, and earth and atmospheric labs, four research labs, a geographic information systems classroom and a computer lab.

Proclamation Applauding Governor Ritter and General Assembly leadership for re-establishing state funding for the Auraria Science Building Renovation and Expansion for the 2008-09 fiscal year.

Science Building Fact Sheet