KETR Local
(2010-03-03)
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DENVER, CO
(KUNC) -
College students from around the state called on Colorado lawmakers to stave off deepening budget cuts to higher education Wednesday at a well attended rally through downtown Denver.
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An estimated 700 people - mostly students - marched from the Auraria Campus to the state capitol. When federal stimulus money runs out next year, the state's higher education budget is expected to take an enormous hit. Students like Joe Howard, a political science major at Colorado State University, worry that will lead to more tuition increases, and restricted access to education.
"There seems to be this notion in this country that people have the ability to pick themselves up by their bootstraps," Howard said,"But next year the state of Colorado is cutting boot straps from the budget."
The rally comes as lawmakers are poised to consider a tuition flexibility bill which would allow colleges and universities to raise tuition to offset state funding declines. Most lawmakers say they have no choice but to cut the higher ed budget.
Higher ed officials are considering going to the ballot box next year. Otherwise schools like the University of Colorado and Colorado State will face the reality of going without any direct state funding by 2011.
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