Capital Development Committee backs $1 million for Colorado Mesa University’s Robinson Theatre

The Capital Development Committee recommended a $1,000,000 supplemental cash appropriation to Colorado Mesa University on a unanimous vote, approving funds for the Robinson Theatre replacement project.

Vice President Kent Marsh of Colorado Mesa University told the committee the performing arts building is under construction and that the university is seeking authority to use university cash to complete deferred maintenance while the contractor is mobilized. "Our request is to use university cash," Marsh said, adding that completing the additional deferred maintenance projects now "will prevent further disruption in the building operations" rather than scheduling the work later.

The request, Marsh said, does not reflect an unforeseen condition but an opportunity to accomplish a larger scope of work while the building is offline. Committee members praised the plan to use existing cash and the timing advantages of performing the work during the current outage.

A committee member moved to recommend the supplemental request for the Robinson Theatre replacement project at $1,000,000 of cash funds. The clerk called the roll; Senators and Representatives Henriksen, Lindsay, Helton B., Winter, Story and the Chair all voted yes and the recommendation was forwarded to the Joint Budget Committee.

Next steps: CDC’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Joint Budget Committee for final consideration as part of the supplemental review process.