DENVER - A recovering economy is about to trigger a mini-construction boom at colleges across Colorado - but not Fort Lewis.
The House of Representatives will debate a state budget Thursday that triples the money available for construction, to $194 million.
When the state got good news this winter about the economy, Gov. John Hickenlooper and the Legislature's budget committee decided to devote a chunk of the extra money to building projects, because they are one-time expenses and don't create the need for increased funding in future years.
In fact, the Legislature will spend more on construction next year than it did in the previous four years combined. Nine colleges, from Colorado Mesa University to Otero State Junior College, saw their buildings approved for funds. The Legislature is also spending $5 million to renovate the rusting dome of the state Capitol.
But Fort Lewis College was left out.
"We were definitely hopeful," said Steve Schwartz, the college's vice president for finance and administration.
The campus needs $28 million to rebuild the final wing of Berndt Hall, which houses the engineering, geosciences and physics programs.
The high price tag probably kept Fort Lewis out in the cold, Schwartz said.
"It's a big-dollar project. So when you can say I can finance three projects ... instead of just one, it makes it a very difficult decision for legislators," he said.
Fort Lewis endured a decade of wrangling with the Legislature over the previous phase of construction on Berndt Hall's biology wing. It got the budget to draw up plans just before a previous recession, and the actual construction money didn't come through until 2008.
However, college officials are optimistic that they'll be near the top of the Legislature's list for its 2014-15 budget. The college will start raising funds to try to bring down the state's share of the cost, Schwartz said.
"We're going to continue to push the message we're construction-ready. We can put people to work right away," he said.
The state budget didn't freeze out Fort Lewis entirely. Legislators are funding a list of long-neglected maintenance projects. They include safety improvements at the college's theater and improved drainage to prevent flooding during big rains on the central campus.
The Legislature is dealing with an $8.2 billion general fund, a $600 million increase from last year, thanks to the improving economy. In addition to a more money for construction, the budget adds funding for mental health and public schools, gives state employees a 2 percent raise and adds 15 inspectors to the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
The House is scheduled to debate the budget Thursday and pass it Friday. It passed the Senate last week with only Democratic votes.
"I think we developed a good budget this year," said Rep. Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen, who serves on the budget committee.
However, Gerou said, she thinks she will be the only Republican to vote for the budget this year. Last year's budget passed 64-1 in the House.
joeh@cortezjournal.com
