Four Democrats have announced campaigns for the CU Board of Regents District 2 seat, which includes Boulder County, as higher education is under intensified political scrutiny and pressure from the Trump administration.
Next month, the Democratic Party will choose which candidates will be placed on the ballot for the June 30 primary. It’s unlikely, but possible, that all four candidates will advance. Whoever wins the primary will take the regent seat, joining a nine-person board that manages CU’s budget and supervises the university’s four campuses, including hiring the university president and making policy decisions like whether to allow collective bargaining.
The board includes one regent from each of Colorado’s eight congressional districts plus one at-large member. District 2 spans Boulder and Fort Collins and extends west to Steamboat Springs. The Democratic candidates are Edie Hooton, Kubs Lalchandani, Kris Larsen and Murray Smith. Donald Comstock of the Constitution Party has also filed to run.
The Democratic candidates are campaigning on many of the same priorities — academic freedom, student well-being, affordable tuition and workforce readiness — but Hooton is the best-known and widely endorsed candidate. What began as a race between Lalchandani and Larsen in November, joined later by Smith, shifted in January when Hooton entered the race.
Jump to learn more about each candidate: Edie Hooton | Kubs Lalchandani | Kris Larsen |Murray Smith
Hooton served three terms as a state representative for Boulder’s House District 10 between 2017 and 2023, and secured the Democratic primary nomination for a fourth term but later withdrew, citing a desire to spend more time with her family. Her endorsements include Boulder state Sen. Judy Amabile, at-large CU Regent Elliot Hood, County Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann, Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett, four Boulder city councilmembers — Tara Winer, Matt Benjamin, Mark Wallach and Tina Marquis — and District Attorney Michael Dougherty.
Hooton said the CU regent role was an opportunity to apply her House experience.
“Stepping back wasn’t retirement from public life; it was a transition,” she said of her withdrawal from the House race, explaining that “the reality of that role — working 12 months a year with minimal staff support — eventually demanded more than I could sustainably give to both my constituents and my family.”
Larsen, a researcher at CU Boulder’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics and former Nederland mayor, said a few people pulled their endorsements in favor of Hooton when she announced her campaign.
Lalchandani, a partner at a law firm representing large healthcare and technology companies, argued that “we are at a moment for new, diverse, energetic leaders.”
“If the retirement age is 62, why are we now making exceptions for politics, the most important positions that we have?” he said. “I think Edie is wonderful and has served. I wish she would take a role of mentoring younger people, whether it’s me or Murray or Kris.” Hooton is 68 years old, Larsen is 51, Lalchandani is 48, and Smith is 33.
“I already think I’m getting old for this position,” Lalchandani said, adding that by 55, “I’m done.”
Hooton said she does not think voters in CD2 are “ageist,” adding that if age is Lalchandani’s main argument, “he should consider dropping out of the race and putting his full weight and measure behind the 33-year-old candidate.”
The youngest candidate, Smith, a geospatial data scientist, entered the race in January and is embracing the fact that he has never been a career politician, arguing it gives him the “independence to challenge the status quo.” He has made unions a core part of his message, securing the endorsement of Boulder City Councilmember Nicole Speer, who often campaigns with unions and worker groups, and speaking alongside union members in favor of collective bargaining rights at a Feb. 5 CU Regents meeting.
Larsen also spoke at the union rally that preceded the Feb. 5 meeting. Both he and Lalchandani have said they would support collective bargaining rights, an issue the current regents will vote on in June. Hooton said she supports efforts to draw up a proposal for collective bargaining but would “reserve judgment on next steps until I see the results of these negotiations.”
Lalchandani, Smith and Larsen also said they would support CU joining the statewide defense compact against federal threats, as proposed by the Boulder Faculty Assembly. Larsen and Lalchandani both proposed expanding the compact beyond Colorado.
Hooton did not commit to supporting the compact. “I’m unaware of any current efforts toward a statewide defense compact, though I’m familiar with discussions about it last year,” she said. “The CU system is represented by the Attorney General’s Office, which I believe has been robust in its defense of Colorado’s public institutions.”
The race now turns to the party’s internal selection process. On March 14, 500 Democratic Party delegates will decide which candidates to place on the June 30 primary ballot. Those delegates are chosen at a party caucus the week before the assembly. Candidates must receive 30% of delegates’ votes to qualify for the primary ballot. Smith has opted to petition onto the ballot instead, a process that requires collecting 1,500 signatures.
Smith said he chose to petition because he believes voters deserve a competitive primary and worried the caucus process could have resulted in only one candidate clearing the 30% threshold. “As a voter, there is nothing more disappointing than an uncontested race without any new perspectives,” Smith said.
Smith’s decision to petition means the other three are competing for delegate votes. If all three receive at least 30%, all four candidates would advance to the primary ballot, though that outcome appears unlikely.
Meet the candidates (listed in alphabetical order by last name)
In addition to questions about the defense compact and unions, Boulder Reporting Lab asked each candidate what sets them apart in a race where they share many policy positions, and how they would balance affordability goals with rising university costs.
Jump to: Edie Hooton | Kubs Lalchandani | Kris Larsen |Murray Smith
Edie Hooton
Money on hand: Hooton entered the race after a Jan. 15 report of contributions and expenditures was due. The next reporting date is April 15.
Education: Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania; master’s in public administration from the University of Pennsylvania, 1993
CU connections: Hooton serves as a mentor in the Boulder-CU Leadership Program and serves as one of the moderators for CU’s Conference on World Affairs. Her son received two degrees from CU, and she has lived in Boulder since 1997.
Job: Hooton has remained politically involved since withdrawing from the House race, co-chairing the Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood annual fundraiser, collaborating with legislators to expand the rights of mobile home owners and hosting political fundraisers for Democratic candidates, among other projects.
Endorsements: Boulder state Sen. Judy Amabile, at-large CU Regent Elliot Hood, County Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann, Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett, four Boulder City Councilmembers — Tara Winer, Matt Benjamin, Mark Wallach and Tina Marquis — District Attorney Michael Dougherty, former Speaker of the House KC Becker and former Senate President Steve Fenberg. Read the full list.
What sets her apart
Hooton points to her experience as the distinguishing factor between herself and the rest of the candidates. “It’s true that campaign websites start to look alike, but there is a significant difference between highlighting an issue and having a track record of solving it,” she said.
“What truly sets me apart is my experience as chair of the Capital Development Committee,” she went on. “In that role, I didn’t just talk about higher ed, I collaborated directly with CU to prioritize their major capital projects and long-term maintenance needs, ultimately securing millions in state funding.”
“I’m not asking voters to take a leap of faith on my intentions,” she said. “I have a public record of service and a strong list of endorsements that reflect confidence in my judgment, civility and ability to deliver for CU.”
Balancing costs and affordability
“My priority is to protect in-state tuition affordability, access to CU for Colorado students, and resources that underpin a supportive campus environment,” Hooton said. “Options on the table include increasing out-of-state tuition and graduate programs.”
Hooton also wanted to explore ways to reduce administrative costs.
Separately, she said, “We are losing international students due to the current administration’s new restrictions on student visas. This is tragic, not only because international students contribute significantly to CU’s bottom line, but also because they add incalculable value to our academic standing among our higher-ed peers and to our research and cultural enrichment on campus.”
Kubs Lalchandani
Money on hand: $35,400, according to state filings.
Education: B.S. from Cornell University, 1999; Esade International Law, 2003; and Cornell Law School, 2004
CU connections: Lalchandani grew up in Boulder and moved back to Boulder in 2019.
Job: Partner at Lalchandani Simon PL, a law firm representing healthcare, technology and hospitality companies. He is also co-founder of Treeline Veterinary Cancer Care with his partner, Karen Oberthaler.
Endorsements: CU Regent Wanda James, County Commissioner Marta Loachamin, Boulder City Councilmember Rob Kaplan, state Sens. Dylan Roberts of Eagle County and Cathy Kipp of Fort Collins, Carlos Alvarez-Aranyos, the founder of American Opposition, which helped organize the No Kings protests. Read the full list.
What sets him apart
Lalchandani argues that as a lawyer who represents large tech companies, his experience prepares him to navigate large-scale policy and funding discussions and to prepare CU graduates to enter a job market where he perceives that young people are increasingly competing with AI.
“My clients are simply not hiring kids out of college anymore for jobs because they’ve gotten replaced by different AI platforms,” he said.
He also emphasized improving support for low-income students at CU Denver and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, commuter campuses where graduation rates are under 50%. It is something he feels connected to because “there are so many immigrant families” like his who are “still operating under this idea that my parents operated in, that if you go to college, it leads to a better life.”
“I’m a minority, and I think all those kids at school need representation,” he said, adding that when he was growing up in Boulder, adults in the community reached out and supported him. “They were minorities, and they saw in me the same struggles that they endured,” he said. “I think it’s my turn to do that for the kids going through school now.”
Balancing costs and affordability
“In a university, the bloat comes from increased administrative positions rather than increased faculty and personnel,” Lalchandani said. “I think that has got to be the first target.”
“We have to look internally, not at faculty or students or research, but administrators, and say: Why are we adding these in?” he continued. “What is the ratio of administrators to faculty, administrators to students? How do we start cutting that down?”
Kris Larsen
Money on hand: $6,900, according to state filings.
Education: B.S. from CU Boulder, 1997; Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis, 2003
CU connections: Larsen grew up in Boulder, attended CU Boulder for undergrad and has worked at CU Boulder’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics for nearly 20 years.
Job: Professional Research Associate at Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Endorsements: The “mountain mayors”: Nederland Mayor Billy Giblin and former Nederland mayor Julian Taylor, Jamestown Mayor Michael Box
What sets him apart
Larsen has spent more time on campus than anyone else in the race, as both a student and researcher. He said his scientific training shapes his approach.
“I’ve said for years, we need more scientists in elected positions,” he said.
That’s what led him to serve as Mayor of Nederland from 2016 to 2022, making him the only candidate besides Hooton with political experience. He said his research background gives him insight into the impact of federal grant disruptions.
“For the first time in my experience, which is 20 years now, LASP has been doing layoffs because of the cancellation of projects and the [lack of] job security,” he said.
He proposed a “funding bridge” to retain researchers and scientists through the remainder of Trump’s term.
“If we lose the researchers, then it’s gonna be harder to come back, because they’re going to go to private industry, they’re going to go to Europe,” he said. “I’ve lost friends to both.”
Balancing costs and affordability:
CU Boulder offers a tuition guarantee that keeps tuition and rates the same for four consecutive years; Larsen proposes extending this to CU’s other campuses, phasing it in over a few years to manage costs.
He also called for a “careful analysis” of administrative overhead and working with federal representatives to ensure financial aid like Pell Grants remains available for students.
Murray Smith
Money on hand: $0, according to state filings.
Education: Undergrad at CU Boulder, 2015.
CU connections: Smith grew up in Boulder and graduated from CU Boulder.
Job: Geospatial data scientist
Endorsements: Boulder City Councilmembers Nicole Speer and Tina Marquis, former Boulder Police Oversight Panel co-chair Ariel Amaru
What sets him apart
Smith is leaning into his place as the youngest candidate. His website makes it clear he’s a proud “21st century alum” and links to a Murray for Regent Strava account.
“I understand the modern student experience at CU because I lived it—I’m the only candidate that graduated in this century,” Smith said. “I’m also the only candidate that has never run for another office. I’m running for regent because I care about CU and its people.”
His perspective “as a 21st century CU graduate,” was also key to Speer’s support. “Someone who has been inside CU recently knows how quickly campus climate shifts, how vulnerable students and workers are to policy changes, and how essential it is to protect the conditions that allow education and scholarship to thrive,” she said.
Balancing costs and affordability
“Increasing the four-year graduation rate is the best way to reduce overall costs for students and families,” Smith said. “Every extra semester is tens of thousands of dollars in tuition and housing costs. Helping students complete their degrees on time will yield the most financial benefit of any investments CU can make.”
Between 2018 and 2024, graduation rates averaged 74% at CU Boulder, 47% at UCCS and 46% at CU Denver, according to CU reporting.