CSU Board Names Rico Munn Sole Chancellor Finalist
The Colorado State University System Board of Governors named Rico Munn as sole finalist for chancellor on Feb. 6, positioning the longtime insider to lead system strategy and government relations across three campuses. A mandatory 14-day waiting period under Colorado law must pass before the board finalizes an employment agreement.
The board conducted an internal search rather than a national one, prioritizing continuity as state funding pressures mount and tuition policy directly affects students across Fort Collins, Pueblo and CSU Global.
Munn currently serves as CSU's vice president for Metro Denver Engagement and Strategy. He served recently as interim president of CSU Pueblo.
From 2009 to 2011, Munn served as executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education. He was superintendent of Aurora Public Schools from 2013 to 2023, then chaired the CSU System Board of Governors before becoming chief of staff to President Amy Parsons.
Board Chair John Fischer emphasized Munn's qualifications: "In Rico Munn, we have a proven leader, committed to the CSU System, who also brings a strong statewide network and experience at all levels of government relations. We find it highly unlikely we would identify another candidate whose experience includes serving as the state's top higher education officer, a longtime superintendent of one of the state's largest and most diverse school districts, past chair of a governing board of a public university system, interim president of a public university campus, and chief of staff at an R1 university campus."
Munn said in a statement: "I am grateful and honored to be considered for this role. I've served in various leadership roles with the CSU System for more than a dozen years and am deeply committed to fulfilling its mission, championing its students, and supporting the faculty and staff."
The internal search was chosen to maintain key relationships during funding challenges and build momentum on critical objectives while bringing new energy to the role, Fischer said.
State appropriations to the CSU System hit $799.7 million in fiscal year 2025, up from $751.2 million in FY2024, according to the CSU System FY2025 audit. This included $553.6 million in tuition funding and $190.2 million in fee-for-service contracts.
Of $66.9 million in FY2025 state capital contributions to the system, $62.8 million went to CSU Fort Collins, highlighting how board-level funding decisions shape investment in the flagship campus.
Under Colorado's funding model, the state allocates appropriations to the CSU System as a whole, not to individual campuses, according to the Colorado Department of Higher Education. This means Munn will negotiate on behalf of all three campuses with the state, then distribute funds across Fort Collins, Pueblo and CSU Global.
CSU Fort Collins resident undergraduate tuition rose $198 per semester in FY2023-24 and $186 per semester in FY2024-25. Lawmakers capped resident increases at 3%, with about 25% of increases directed to student financial aid, according to CSU System board materials.
Current Chancellor Tony Frank remains in office until June 30, 2027.