Contact: Bob Tolsma at 303.556.5947

Denver, CO - October 18, 2001 -- The University of Colorado at Denver (UCD) received $550,000 from the Colorado Institute of Technology's (CIT) $1.37 million technology award. The award will be used toward ensuring Colorado Governor Bill Owens' goal of creating an additional 5,500 technical graduates a year. CU-Denver will develop two online programs that address the knowledge and skills required of in-demand technology positions.

The two new online programs will include a comprehensive Computer Science Program developed in an unprecedented partnership with the Colorado School of Mines and an Information Systems Program that will meet the increasing demand for the fastest growing program in UCD's School of Business.

The goal of CIT, which is an initiative of Governor Owens, is to promote, advance and sustain Colorado as a premier location for the technology industry. It is funded entirely by private industry, including Level 3 Communications, Sun Microsystems and Qwest, and works in partnerships with higher education and technology companies for the purpose of doubling the number of technology graduates within the next five years. CIT also wants to increase the number of technology workers in Colorado and establish a coordinated, applied effort for innovative research.

The grant was hailed by CU-Denver Chancellor Georgia Lesh-Laurie as "an opportunity to create the most sophisticated and cutting edge online education program in Colorado." And, "it is keeping in line with Governor Owens' vision of placing Colorado at the forefront of high tech economies in the country."

In 1996 CU Online was among the first institutions in the country to offer comprehensive online options. In its first year of serving students, it offered 24 courses. Today, it has expanded to offer flexibility, accessibility and convenience to more than 5,000 students in nearly 220 courses each year. For more information please contact Bob Tolsma at 303.556.5947