Colorado State University - Pueblo prepares for unprecedented fall enrollment growth

PUEBLO –Officials at Colorado State University-Pueblo are encouraging area students not to delay enrolling for fall classes due to high demand for general education courses and campus housing. A combination of new recruitment processes, expanded athletic programs, new facilities, and enhanced academic offerings is causing the campus to make preparations for what could be the largest freshman class in the history of the institution.

Joe Marshall, CSU-Pueblo assistant vice president for enrollment management, indicated that the increase in enrollment is generalized across disciplines, but the greatest growth is from the Denver metro region, as well as from El Paso and Boulder counties. Outside of Colorado, the greatest increases are from California, Texas, and Hawaii. New student enrollment is up more than 30 percent, with new freshmen up more than 60 percent from fall 2007. An overall increase of more than 10 percent in headcount is expected.

The increase in enrollment numbers has caused course sections, especially for prime time (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) general education English and math classes, to be limited, although new sections are being added as required.

Housing contracts signed to date for the upcoming fall semester have already brought the 568-bed Belmont Residence Hall (BRH) and 148-bed Walking Stick Apartments to capacity. The University is establishing at least one Remote Residence Hall to serve additional students who want to live in campus housing. Staffing, programming, student discipline and security at the remote site will mirror those in BRH in order to maximize the residential experience for the students. A reduced meal plan uniquely designed to address the needs of students in the Remote Residence Hall will be available and transportation options are being discussed. The offering of course sessions in the high-demand general education courses at the Remote Residence Hall also is under consideration.
“Because room assignments will be made by the end of July, it is important for any students who are required or who want to live in the residence halls to submit their application, deposit, and contract as soon as possible,” Marshall said.
Housing will be assigned on the basis of priority housing criteria, so continuing students who wish to live in campus housing should contact the University immediately if they have not already signed a contract.

Students interested in enrolling or signing housing contracts are encouraged to contact the Housing Department at 549-2601 immediately. The University also will be offering its final Second Saturday registration event from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on August 9 in the Administration building.
“The success that we’re having in attracting new students to CSU-Pueblo is a testament to the hard work of many individuals, both those who are part of the recruiting process and others who are working to bring about the many programmatic and physical changes to the campus,” said President Joseph Garcia. “But just bringing them to campus is not enough. We will be striving to deliver to these students a campus experience that provides safety, support, and both personal and professional development.”


Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.