Signature Authority Procedures
1. Purpose
The CU Boulder Signature Authority Policy sets forth the authority to sign given operational agreements, otherwise known as signature authority, on behalf of the CU Boulder campus and includes requirements for the execution and approval of various types of operational agreements.
2. Signature Authority and Delegation Matrix
The signature authority matrix serves as the single, comprehensive source for valid signature authority, unless otherwise exempted or reserved. The matrix rescinds and supercedes all previous delegations of signature authority.
The procurement of all goods and services must be made in accordance with the University of Colorado Procurement Rules to ensure accountability to the public and fairness of goods and services. See the Procurement Service Center website for all relevant rules and procedures.
All purchases requiring a contract shall be reviewed and processed in the following manner prior to committing university resources and/or receiving goods or services.
| Category of Contract | Business Review | Legal Review | Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority | Ability to Delegate | University of Colorado Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor Agreements $5,000 or Less | Originating Department | Not Required | Individuals Authorized by the Chancellor | NO | Not Required |
Vendor Agreements greater than $5,000 but less than $50,000 | Originating Department | Procurement Service Center | Procurement Service Center | NO | Not Required |
| Vendor Agreement $50,000 or greater | University Officers from originating department who are direct reports of the Chancellor or Executive Vice Chancellor | Procurement Service Center | Procurement Service Center | NO | Campus Controller or Deputy Controller |
| Category of Contract | Business Review | Legal Review | Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority | Ability to Delegate | University of Colorado Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Procurement Expenditure Agreements $5,000,000 or Less | Originating Department, Campus Controller's Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | University Officers from originating department who are direct reports of the Chancellor or Executive Vice Chancellor | NO | Not Required |
| Non-Procurement Expenditure Agreements Greater than $5,000,000 | University Officers from originating department who are direct reports of the Chancellor or Executive Vice Chancellor; Campus Controller's Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | System approval needed | NO | President and University Controller |
| Category of Contract | Business Review | Legal Review | Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority | Ability to Delegate | University of Colorado Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Research Revenue Agreements $5,000,000 or Less | Originating Department | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost OR Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer | Yes. The EVC for Academic Affairs may delegate to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation | Not Required |
| Non-Research Revenue Agreements Greater than $5,000,000 | University Officers from originating department who are direct reports of the Chancellor or Executive Vice Chancellor; Campus Controller's Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | System approval needed | NO | President |
| Category of Contract | Business Review | Legal Review | Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority | Ability to Delegate | University of Colorado Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-Revenue Business Agreements
| Originating Department, Campus Controller's Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost OR Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer | Yes. May delegate to University Officers from originating department who are direct reports of the Chancellor or Executive Vice Chancellor | Not Required |
| Category of Contract | Business Review | Legal Review | Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority | Ability to Delegate | University of Colorado Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Property Contracts $5,000,000 or Less | Real Estate Services, Campus Controllers Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Chancellor or Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Sustainability | NO | Not Required |
| Real Property Contracts Greater than $5,000,000 | Real Estate Services, Campus Controllers Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | System approval needed | NO | President, and University Controller if University funds will be expended |
| Office of State Building Construction Contracts, Amendments, Change Orders, and related documents $500,000,000 or Less | Planning, Design, and Construction; Business Strategy Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Sustainability | Yes. Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Management | Not Required |
| Office of State Building Construction Contracts, Amendments, Change Orders, and related documents Greater than $5,000,000 | Planning, Design, and Construction; Business Strategy Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | System approval needed | NO | President |
| Procedural or administrative documents necessary to manage the construction contractor/consultant selection process; Administration of all Office of State Building contracts, amendments, and change orders Regardless of Value | Planning, Design, and Construction; Business Strategy Office | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Sustainability | Yes. Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Management | Not Required |
| Category of Contract | Business Review | Legal Review | Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority | Ability to Delegate | University of Colorado Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sponsored Research Agreements Involving University Intellectual Property $5,000,000 or Less | Originating Department | Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG) | OCG Director | Yes. See OCG Signature Authority Policy. | Associate Vice President of Technology Transfer |
| Technology Transfer Agreements | University Officers from originating department who are direct reports of the Chancellor or Executive Vice Chancellor | Technology Transfer Office | System approval needed | No | Associate Vice President of Technology Transfer |
Service and Revenue Generating Agreements
| OCG | OCG | OCG Director | Yes. See OCG Signature Authority Policy. | Not Required |
| Non-Research Sponsorship Agreements | Originating Department | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost OR Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer | Yes. The EVC for Academic Affairs may delegate to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation | Not Required |
| Category of Contract | Business Review | Legal Review | Position with CU Boulder Signature Authority | Ability to Delegate | University of Colorado Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agreements Involving Operation of Advancement | Advancement | Not Required | Vice Chancellor for Advancement | Yes. Assistant Vice Chancellor and Executive Director, Alumni Association | Not Required |
| Settlement Agreements | Not Required | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Chancellor and Campus Controller | No | Not Required |
| Promissory Notes | Not Required | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Campus Controller | No | Not Required |
Agreements to Enforce Laws and Policies Related to Radiation Safety
| Environmental Health and Safety | Not Required | Radiation Safety Officer and Staff | No | Not Required |
| Contract for promotional use of Athletic Marks | Athletics | Boulder Office of University Counsel | Assistant Athletic Director for Licensing | No | Not Required |
(Version 1; Effective Date: 8/1/2024)
This matrix is reviewed periodically and may be subject to change in response to business needs and to ensure alignment with all university policies and procedures. Please ensure you are consulting the most recent version for any future review. If you have questions or concerns, please consult with fiscalcompliance@colorado.edu.
3. Signature Authority Delegation Procedures
Delegation(s) Scope and Limitations:
All Delegations of Signature Authority under this policy are subject to the requirements and limitations as described below.
No Delegate may exercise Signature Authority for any Operational Agreement, unless the Delegate first:
- Confirms that the Delegate has valid Signature Authority;
- Ensures that the Operational Agreement form, content, and monitoring complies with University of Colorado Fiscal Procedures;
- Follows all Conflict of Interest disclosure requirements and ensures compliance with University policies and procedures governing conflicts of interest, personal relationships, and fiscal propriety;
- Ensures business review of the Operational Agreement to determine appropriateness;
- Consults with the Boulder Campus Office of University Counsel regarding applicable law and legal sufficiency of the Operational Agreement as appropriate;
- Obtains approval from the Campus Controller or an authorized representative prior to executing any expenditure agreement with a value greater than $150,000; and
- Consults with and obtains approval from: (a) the Assistant Athletic Director for Licensing before entering into any Operational Agreement permitting the use of University athletic marks for promotional purposes, and (b) the Office of Strategic Relations and Communication before entering into any Operational Agreement permitting the use of any other University marks;
- Consults with the campus Privacy and Security Officer(s), Export Control Office, Venture Partners, University Tax Manager, and University Risk Management, as appropriate; and
- Ensures that negotiation, execution and performance are managed, in compliance with the Operational Agreement terms as well as applicable law and University policy. Delegators and delegates will review the Matrix and attest to its continued accuracy annually.