The Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction): A small group of public officials govern Colorado’s nine largest public universities, shaping the economic, academic and cultural landscape of the state for years to come.

They control more than $480 million in state taxpayer funds annually and several billion more in funding generated through tuition, housing, fees and donations.

They approve budgets, control the fate of academic majors and athletic programs, direct the construction of new buildings and hire and fire university presidents.

Yet the majority of these university trustees, governors and regents do not provide a direct way for the public to communicate with them. In most cases, the only contact information provided is the name and phone number of a university employee, the university’s mailing address or a group email address routed through the university.

The Daily Sentinel attempted to contact members of each of the nine public college and university boards to ask them about accessibility. Four did not respond or declined to comment. The trustees and regents who did respond said they believe they are easily accessible to the public.

All of Colorado’s public universities provide online directories or pages for professors, faculty and staff with a direct phone number and email address. But the information these institutions provide to contact their trustees, governors or regents varies widely, with most offering no direct way to contact them.

Visit The Daily Sentinel for more.