Employee News

HSA Open Enrollment is coming: Oct 15 - Oct 29

Nancy Portner — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 16:13:45 +0000

HSA Open Enrollment is coming: Oct 15 - Oct 29 Nancy Portner Wed, 10/08/2025 - 10:13

As a CU Health Plan – High Deductible member, you already know your Health Savings Account (HSA) is an important tool in planning for future health care needs.

CU’s HSA Open Enrollment is a great time to examine your savings and make any adjustments ahead of the 2026 tax year.

You can update your HSA through the employee portal from 8 a.m. (MDT) Wednesday, Oct. 15 to 5 p.m. (MDT) Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Your enrollment will be effective Jan. 1, 2026. While you can enroll and update your contributions at any time, Employee Services recommends using open enrollment as an opportunity to evenly distribute your contributions throughout the upcoming year.

Contribution limits increasing for 2026:

Individual - $4,400
Individual - (age 55 or older) - $5,400
Family - $8,750
Family (age 55 or older) - $9,750

Get the most out of your HSA

A few things to consider:

Are you getting the maximum benefits from your account?
Do you want to adjust your contributions?
Do you want to explore ways to invest your HSA funds to grow your savings?

During HSA Open Enrollment, take the time to learn a few tricks and get all the treats your HSA can offer:

Register for the Employee Services and Optum webinar, Making the most of a Health Savings Account, at 1 p.m. Oct. 23. This session is designed to demystify HSAs and help you make the most of this financial tool.
Visit the HSA website to watch a video course explaining an HSA’s uses and its many advantages. See how you can save money on health expenses, reduce taxes, invest in your health, and see instructions to update your contributions.

Need help?

If you have any questions not answered by these resources, don’t hesitate to reach out to our benefits professionals.

Contact an Employee Services benefits professional by email at benefits@cu.edu or by phone at 1-303-860-4200, option 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday

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New CU Boulder Safe app

Nancy Portner — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:58:30 +0000

New CU Boulder Safe app Nancy Portner Wed, 10/08/2025 - 09:58

The Division of Public Safety (DPS) launched a new campus-wide safety app: 'CU Boulder Safe' app. It has a lot of new features and gives you real-time alerts, personal safety tools, and easy access to resources—all in one place.

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Register for the Health and Wellness Summit - Nov. 12-13, 2025

Nancy Portner — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:04:43 +0000

The Health and Wellness Summit and the Employee Benefits Fair will be Nov. 12-13, 2025!

Join us for the 8th annual Health and Wellness Summit and Employee Benefits Fair—a two-day event dedicated to enhancing well-being and connecting our community with essential resources.

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Staff Council's Employee Appreciation Breakfast - Thursday Dec. 11

Nancy Portner — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 14:59:36 +0000

Staff Council's Employee Appreciation Breakfast - Thursday Dec. 11 Nancy Portner Wed, 10/08/2025 - 08:59

We are excited to announce that the annual Staff Appreciation Breakfast will be held on Thursday, December 11th from 7:00 am – 9:30 am in the Glenn Miller Ballroom at the UMC.

BuffOne card required for admission
Donations of non-perishable food and personal care items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste etc.) will be collected on behalf of area pantries.

We look forward to seeing you and thank you for all you do.

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I&R Annual Awards - Nominations due 5pm on Oct. 20

Nancy Portner — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:10:09 +0000

I&R Annual Awards - Nominations due 5pm on Oct. 20 Nancy Portner Tue, 10/07/2025 - 21:10

Infrastructure and Resilience will be hosting our winter employee appreciation luncheon on Thursday, December 4^th. As always, we will be announcing our employee annual award winners. If you have noticed I&R employees working to make the campus a better place to work, study, or visit, please consider submitting a nomination for one of several awards described in the link below. Individual staff winners will receive a plaque and a $100 Visa gift card. Student winners will receive a certificate and $25 Visa gift card. Team winners will receive a group meal or a party.

And we will all enjoy a delicious meal and a few hours together.

Nominations are due by 5pm on Monday, October 20^th.

Please use the link below, and if you have any questions, contact Kerry Howard at Kerry.Howard@colorado.edu.

NOMINATE HERE

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Please RSVP: I&R Winter Employee Appreciation Luncheon and Annual Awards - Thurs. Dec. 4

Nancy Portner — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 16:27:29 +0000

Please RSVP: I&R Winter Employee Appreciation Luncheon and Annual Awards - Thurs. Dec. 4 Nancy Portner Tue, 10/07/2025 - 10:27

We look forward to seeing all of you at the annual I&R Employee Appreciation and Annual Awards Luncheon, to celebrate with, and recognize you for all the work you do for the university.

Thursday, December 4, 2024 12pm – 1:30pm
Join us on main campus in the Glenn Miller Ballroom in the UMC
I&S staff and student employees only
Bring your Buff OneCard for entry

New this year - please RSVP to the luncheon so that we can have an accurate count of attendees. Supervisors, you are welcome to RSVP on behalf of your entire team, or your team members can RSVP individually.

Please RSVP here

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Get ready for Microsoft multi-factor authentication (MFA) - coming Oct. 7

Nancy Portner — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 15:55:57 +0000

Get ready for Microsoft multi-factor authentication (MFA) - coming Oct. 7 Nancy Portner Mon, 10/06/2025 - 09:55

Starting Oct. 7, CU Boulder will begin using Microsoft’s multi-factor authentication (MFA) system to better protect your account. It works a lot like Duo, which you already use to log in to the MyCUInfo portal—it’s an extra security step to confirm it’s really you.

If you use campus tools like email or Microsoft Teams, you’ll need to set up Microsoft MFA. Eventually, Microsoft MFA will replace our current Duo MFA. The initial setup process takes about 15 minutes.

We recommend using the Microsoft Authenticator app on your CU FacMan cell phone, if you have one. You can also use the app on a personal cell device.

Important: Before logging out and reauthenticating, make sure you have a cell phone or another physical phone number added to your list of MFA devices. If your only registered device is a TEAMS phone, you will get locked out and won't be able to receive the MFA prompt - this means you won't be able to log back in until you contact OIT (IT Service Desk) to have them reset your MFA settings.
If you don’t do the verification and enrollment steps now, you will have to do them on October 7 when the enhanced policy is rolled out to everyone on campus.
The new policy will only be applied to primary CU Boulder accounts (e.g. buffalor@colorado.edu, rabu1234@colorado.edu), not secondary accounts (e.g. ralphie-su@colorado.edu, OIT@colorado.edu, etc.).
The MFA Management Tool can only be used to enroll primary accounts.
Note: Alumni and retirees already have the MFA policy applied to their accounts, they don’t need to do anything more at this time.

How to set up Microsoft MFA:

Connect to campus: Make sure you’re on campus Wi-Fi or connected to the campus VPN.
Save your work: Close any open Microsoft files before starting.
Open the MFA Management Tool: Click on the "MFA Validation" button to check and update your MFA settings.
Make sure you have a valid MFA device. Before logging on and reauthenticating, ensure you have a cell phone or physical phone number added to your MFA devices.
Choose your MFA Method: FMIT supports several options:
- Microsoft Authenticator app (Preferrred) - Download and install on a CU-issued or personal cell phone.
- Phone Number – You can use a mobile phone (personal or work) or any outside phone line. Note: CU does not reimburse personal phone use. If you need a work-issued phone, ask your supervisor to submit a request to FMIT@Colorado.edu with authorization and SpeedType for monthly charges and initial cost.
- TEAMS Phone – Can be used only if you have another backup method added first, during the validation step. If your only registered device is a TEAMS phone, you will get locked out and won't be able to log back in until you contact the IT Service Desk (5-HELP) and verify your identity with a photo ID.
- YubiKey – A physical USB device ($50–$60 each). Only one device per person is allowed. If lost or forgotten, you’ll need to use another method. CU does not support other USB MFA devices. To request YubiKeys for your department, email FMIT@Colorado.edu with quantity and SpeedType.
Reauthenticate: You’ll be asked to log in again using MFA for Microsoft services. You’ll usually only need to do this once per device or browser session.
Fix issues if needed: If your MFA isn’t working, you can update your security info to add or remove additional methods.
Finish setup: Once everything is working click the "enroll in strengthened MFA service" button on the MFA Management Tool to turn on the new protection.

Why is this change needed?

Over the past few years we have had to respond to a rapidly evolving cybersecurity threat landscape by implementing many new security measures and we appreciate your help to secure our shared information technology environment. Recently, U.S. cybersecurity and intelligence agencies issued a joint advisory warning of potential cyber-attacks from state-sponsored or affiliated threat actors. As a result of these heightened security risks, we must be extra cautious and make use of all the security protections at our disposal.

MFA is a foundational element in a security strategy since it can significantly decrease the likelihood of your account becoming compromised while also safeguarding the university’s data, finances, and reputation.

Questions?

You can learn more about this new Microsoft MFA policy and the verification and enrollment process on the Multi-Factor Authentication FAQ page.

If you are running into setup issues please contact fmdesktop@colorado.edu.

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RSVP for the I&R/FBS Staff Dialogue Mixer: Nov. 20

Nancy Portner — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 18:08:54 +0000

RSVP for the I&R/FBS Staff Dialogue Mixer: Nov. 20 Nancy Portner Wed, 10/01/2025 - 12:08

You’re invited to the first-ever I&R/FBS Dialogue Mixer! Join us for an engaging morning of connection, conversation, and community-building as we continue to integrate our two divisions.

Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: CU Recreation Center, Ice Rink Overlook Large Meeting Room

Save your spot now — space is limited! To attend this training, please check with your supervisor to ensure coverage during your absence, then register here.

Calendar invitations will be sent to everyone who registers.

What’s a Dialogue Mixer?
Participants engage in a series of short conversations in small groups. If you attend, you’ll connect with colleagues from across I&R and FBS, share your experiences, and listen to different perspectives in a dynamic and welcoming environment.

Who can attend?

All I&R and FBS staff are warmly welcome! Whether you are new to CU or a long-time member of the community, this event is designed to help us:

Build relationships across units
Strengthen understanding and collaboration

What will we talk about?
Together, we’ll explore questions like:

What does “community” mean in our daily work?
How can we collaborate more effectively across units?
What would it look like to co-create a culture where everyone feels valued and able to thrive?

You’ll leave with new connections, fresh insights, and practical ways to strengthen our collective community.

Registration closes October 31. Don’t wait — reserve your spot today!

We can’t wait to see you there.

The FBS Dialogues Design & Admin Team
Kelsey, Nancy, Noah, Melanie, Kristen & Kathryn

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Launching a New Supervisor Community of Practice (CoP) - Oct. 16

Nancy Portner — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 01:58:10 +0000

Launching a New Supervisor Community of Practice (CoP) - Oct. 16 Nancy Portner Tue, 09/30/2025 - 19:58

Supervisor Community of Practice (CoP), a new space for supervisors across Finance & Business Strategy (FBS) and Infrastructure & Resilience (I&R) to connect, learn, and grow together.

Our first session kicks off October 16th, and we’d love to see you there. These in-person gatherings will be both engaging and practical, offering opportunities to build community, share insights, and strengthen your leadership skills. Plus, food will be provided and you’ll have the chance to win CU swag, Rec Center one-month passes, and Rec Center day passes in our raffles.

October CoP Details

📅 Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
⏰ Time: 9:00–11:00 am
📍Location: CU Recreation Center – Ice Rink Overlook Meeting Room
🍴Food will be provided

If you are able to attend, please register here – a calendar invite will be emailed to you after you register using this link.

What to Expect

Community: Meet and connect with fellow supervisors across FBS/I&R
Practical Skill Building: Engage in required trainings on topics like performance management in a supportive learning environment
Leadership Lessons: Hear directly from leaders and share your own tips and real-world experience.
Active Participation: Contribute to discussions and help shape how we lead as one team.

Session Overview

Introduction to the Community of Practice
FBS and I&R department introductions
OneTeam Norms, Boundaries and Expectations
An open leadership discussion.

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You are invited: Division-wide Zoom meeting with Todd Haggerty: Oct. 30

Nancy Portner — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 22:11:32 +0000

You are invited: Division-wide Zoom meeting with Todd Haggerty: Oct. 30 Nancy Portner Tue, 09/30/2025 - 16:11

Join us for an upcoming division-wide (FBS and I&R) meeting where you will hear updates from SVC Todd Haggerty. Learn how I&R and FBS are working together to support campus operations and learn how you can contribute to, and benefit from division-wide initiatives.You should have received a calendar invite with the link to the Zoom meeting:

Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, 9:00 am to 9:55 am.

If you are not working during the meeting time, or if your job duties do not allow you to join, don’t worry—the meeting will be recorded and a short summary will be shared with everyone afterward.

If you did not receive the meeting invitation, please reach out to fbs@colorado.edu and they will resend the invite to you.

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