Colorado State University is rooted in democracy.
CSU was founded in 1870 as one of our country’s land grant institutions. It was created with the mission to strengthen our democracy through broad access to a world-class education; purpose-driven research; and service for the betterment of our society. Over the last 154 years at our great university, that mission has only become more critical.
Today, we continue to fulfill our mission with the belief that it is CSU’s responsibility to produce engaged, informed citizens who are ready to converse with one another, to vote, and to participate in all facets of civil society.
The Democracy Project
Democracy-centered events at CSU
Our job is to create an environment where every member of our community can express themselves and learn from the different views, experiences, and knowledge of other people, even when they disagree. Through hundreds of events, discussions, and debates, our university is learning about the importance of having civil conversations and working together. Together, we are building the muscles we need to disagree better.
Special guests at CSU
- Republican Colorado Rep. Ken Buck
- Jane Fonda, actor and activist
- Ron Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University and author of “What Universities Owe Democracy”
- Donna Brazile, political strategist and New York Times bestselling author
- Robert Putnam, professor and author of “Join or Die”
- Frank Barry, Bloomberg columnist and author of “Back Roads and Better Angels: A Journey into the Heart of American Democracy”
- Secretary John F. Kelly, retired four-star general, 5th U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and White House Chief of Staff under the Trump administration
- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R)
- Cory Gardner, former U.S. Senator for Colorado, and Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado
- Watch past democracy events at CSU.
Featured: A Conversation on the First Amendment and Higher Education
Featured: Presidential Conversation with Ron Daniels
Vote
Voting in elections is a fundamental right and foundation of a democracy. As a University community, our collective civic participation is more significant than ever.
CSU students have a higher voting rate than their peers. In 2020, 76.4% of all eligible CSU students voted in the election, much higher than the national average of 66% of students at other universities. Students can vote in their college towns.
First Amendment
The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States is comprised of only 45 words, but gives U.S. citizens the rights that are foundational to a democracy, including free speech.
More about The Democracy Project
The Democracy Project is a full-length documentary that chronicles the journey of democracy on the University’s Main Campus in 2023-2024 as part of an ongoing effort that includes speakers, events and coursework-related conversations.
“As a land grant institution, a research institution, the reason we exist today is to strengthen and to fuel the fire that is democracy.”
– CSU President Amy Parsons
CSU Centers focused on democracy
Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership mission is to equip student leaders with the education, skills, and experience to be successful public servants.
Center for Public Deliberation is dedicated to enhancing local democracy through improved public communication and community problem-solving.