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University of Colorado Regents

"The University of Colorado is the state’s flagship public university system, with four campuses—Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs, and the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. It’s Colorado’s largest university system, the third-largest employer in the state, and contributes about $20 billion to Colorado’s economy each year.

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The CU Board of Regents is a nine-member elected board that oversees the entire university system. Regents are responsible for:

  • Setting CU’s budget ($6.7 billion this year)

  • Hiring, evaluating, and, if needed, replacing the University President

  • Approving major policies that guide all four campuses

  • Overseeing major academic initiatives

  • Ensuring CU remains accessible, affordable, and high-quality for students

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Eight Regents are elected from each of Colorado’s congressional districts, and one Regent is elected statewide (the at-large seat)." - "What is a CU Regent", Edie Hooton website

Murray Smith

Why Running

"Born and raised in Boulder, CU Class of 2015, never a career politician. Lived campus experience. Independence to challenge the status quo.


As a proud 21st century alumnus, I bring a deep understanding of the modern student experience to the careful decision-making processes that regents must undertake.


I want all Coloradans to benefit from the same opportunities I was afforded at our premier higher education institution."

Education

  • Bachelor's Degree in Economics and International Affairs, CU Boulder, 2011-2015

  • Boulder High School

Professional Experience

  • Geospatial Data Scientist for a satellite imagery company for the past 8 years

Policy Positions

  • Student Success & Affordability: Set clear graduation targets, expand course maps, fix advising and course bottlenecks, and prioritize policies that cut excess credits and student debt so Colorado families see real affordability.

  • Worker Voice & Collaboration: Establish regular worker listening sessions with unions and campus leaders, integrate worker perspectives into Board decisions, and ensure graduation‑focused reforms are built with the people who deliver them.

  • Responsible Development & Affordability: Apply a strict “student and worker benefit” test to major non‑academic projects and limit large developments to those that expand affordable housing or directly reduce student costs, keeping CU’s resources focused on access and academic excellence.

  • Workforce Stability & Compensation: Advance transparent staffing plans and raise compensation for high‑impact roles—advisors, student‑success staff, and tenure‑track faculty—while supporting practical, negotiated solutions that strengthen the workforce and improve student outcomes.

  • Climate Leadership & Sustainability: Support CU’s research leadership in climate, energy, water, and conservation; align campus sustainability goals with measurable results; and ensure infrastructure decisions reduce long‑term environmental and financial costs while preparing students for Colorado’s clean‑energy workforce.

  • Academic Freedom & Campus Rights: Protect faculty from political retaliation, safeguard research independence and federal partnerships, and ensure students can express ideas and organize peacefully while upholding viewpoint diversity, safety, inclusion, and accountability to evidence and the public good.

Endorsements

  • Tina Marquis, Boulder City Council Member; Former President, BVSD Board of Education

  • Nicole Speer, Boulder City Council Member

  • Ariel Amaru, CU Law 2020; Former Co-Chair of Boulder Police Oversight Panel

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