University Accreditation

The University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) is a two-campus consolidated entity accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is known by its authorized name, the University of Colorado Denver (the “University”), and by its working name, the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus.

History of University Consolidation and HLC Accreditation

In 2004 the University of Colorado Board of Regents approved a consolidation of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (abbreviated as UCHSC) and the University of Colorado at Denver (abbreviated as UCD). This single entity became known as the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center (abbreviated as UCDHSC). The schools and college previously referred to as UCHSC now comprise the Anschutz Medical Campus.

Prior to their consolidation, UCHSC and UCD were accredited as independent institutions by the HLC. Prior to 1980 the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center was accredited as part of the University of Colorado system. The Health Sciences Center underwent comprehensive reviews by the HLC in 1980, in 1988, and in 1998. In December 2004, the consolidated university submitted a report to the HLC requesting that the Commission consider UCDHSC as one accredited institution. The HLC team that conducted a focused visit in January 2005, recommended approval of this change and the HLC subsequently approved this change.

In October 2007 the consolidated institution became known as the University of Colorado Denver. This was the authorized name not only with the HLC but with other entities also. We currently also use University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus as a working name for the university.

In April 2011, the University of Colorado Denver submitted a self-study encompassing both the Denver and Anschutz campuses and subsequently underwent a single and successful comprehensive visit to both campuses. Its accreditation was continued for a further ten years.

In 2021, the HCL reaffirmed the accreditation of the University of Colorado Denver for another ten-year period. The next comprehensive evaluation is scheduled for 2030-31.

For complete information on University of Colorado Denver accreditation, see the Statement of Accreditation Status on HLC’s website.