Our History
Founded in 1912 as the University of Colorado's Department of Correspondence and Extension, the downtown campus was established to meet the needs of the city's rapidly expanding population. By 1969, the campus had been renamed the University of Colorado Denver Center and was offering 34 programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In 1974 the University of Colorado Denver was formed, eventually sharing space within the Auraria Higher Education Center. In July 2004 the University of Colorado at Denver and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center consolidated to become one single research university (UCD).
As the only comprehensive public university in Colorado's capital city, UC Denver holds a unique and special place in the hearts of the residents and businesses. UCD is one of four campuses that create the University of Colorado and carries with it the prestige and recognition associated with one of the finest university systems in the world. The University of Colorado System includes:
Our Purpose
UC Denver seeks to provide students, whatever their ages or circumstances, with opportunities to enhance their lives and careers through higher education. In many cases, the education, knowledge, and skills attained by UCD students has a direct impact on the greater good of the Denver metropolitan area, as graduates are highly sought after by area businesses and organizations. Additionally, UCD is committed to research, technology, creative scholarship, and providing an institutional culture that reflects the plurality, collegiality, and integration of an increasingly diverse global workplace.
Our Programs
UCD offers more than 80 programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels that span a wide range of fields and disciplines. These programs are offered through the University's seven distinct academic units, which include the College of Architecture and Planning; the College of Arts & Media; the Business School; the School of Education; the College of Engineering and Applied Science; the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and the School of Public Affairs.
Our Location
UCD is located on the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver just steps from the Denver Center for Performing Arts and the LoDo District. With such an ideal location in one of America's most vibrant urban centers, students have access to an endless array of academic, professional, recreational, and cultural outlets. At the same time, the wondrous natural surroundings provided by the Rocky Mountains offer some of the most active and exciting opportunities in the world for outdoor enthusiasts.
Our Faculty
The faculty at UCD comprises renowned educators and experts in their fields. Four out of five faculty members hold the highest degree within their fields, earned from some of the finest institutions of higher education in the world. They bring with them recognized scholarly achievements, a deep appreciation for technology in the classroom, an emphasis on practical, hands-on learning, and a very real passion for teaching.
Our Students
There are nearly 12,000 students currently enrolled at UC Denver - Downtown Campus, representing an amazingly diverse mix of ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Coming from all walks of life, our students' ages range from 17 to 75, with the average age of our student body at 27. One out of every five students represents an ethnic minority. But while their ages, countries of origin, backgrounds, and beliefs vary greatly, there is one common thread that connects all UCD students - the desire to succeed and broaden their appreciation of the world around them.