Senate committee unanimously recommends reappointment of two Colorado Mesa University trustees

The Senate Education Committee voted unanimously to send Governor Polis’s nominations of Timothy Frey and Gary Reif to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation.

John Marshall, president of Colorado Mesa University, introduced the nominees and described the institution’s regional role, telling the committee, “This year, we will serve 11,500 students, primarily Colorado kids, half of whom will be first in their family to go to college.” He highlighted CMU’s focus on serving first-generation, low-income, rural students and students of color and on maintaining affordability and workforce-aligned programs.

A nominee for reappointment described a personal connection to the university and to first-generation student experience, saying he was “also a first gen college student” and stressing the role of community-aligned two‑ and four‑year pathways. Gary Reif, the board’s treasurer and chair of its finance committee, said his private‑sector and legal background has informed board decisions about sustaining CMU’s growth “in the most cost effective way to provide the best education to these students.”

Committee members voiced support for the nominees and noted plans to visit CMU’s campus. A motion to recommend the reappointments to the full Senate carried unanimously on a roll call that recorded votes in favor from Senators Benavides, Frizzell, Kipp, Rich, Simpson, Marchman and the chair.

The committee moved the items to the consent calendar and proceeded to the next confirmations.