University of Colorado COVID-19 tuition fee refunds $5M class action settlement

The University of Colorado has established a settlement fund of $5 million to resolve a breach-of-contract and unjust enrichment class action lawsuit with its students relating to insufficient tuition refunds during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The settlement class is defined as all students who were enrolled in any of the University’s campuses during the spring 2020 semester who were assessed tuition and/or fees for the semester, and who were not enrolled for the spring 2020 semester solely in a program that, at the beginning of the semester, was intended as an online program.

The settlement resolves claims that the University of Colorado breached a contract when it transitioned to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The student plaintiffs allegedly sought a partial refund of their tuition and fees for the spring 2020 semester after the University of Colorado shifted to online learning, but they were denied. 

The university denies all allegations of wrongdoing and there has been no finding of liability in any court; however, the college has established a settlement fund to resolve the case.

The University of Colorado is a system of public universities in Colorado serving more than 30,000 students. It consists of four institutions: University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Colorado Denver and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Under the terms of the University of Colorado tuition fees settlement, students will receive a pro-rata payment from the settlement fund, after attorneys’ fees of $250,000 and lead plaintiff awards of $10,000 have been paid from the fund.

The balance of the settlement fund will then be divided so each settlement class member receives the same amount as others who attended the same campus. 

The fund will be allocated to the four campuses based on each campus’ percentage of overall tuition and mandatory fees charged to students as follows: 

• $3.5 million (70%) to University of Colorado, Boulder
• $1.05 million (21%) to University of Colorado, Denver
• $400,000 (8%) to University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
• $50,000 (1%) to University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus

Each campus’ share of the settlement fund will be distributed on a pro rata basis to the settlement class members enrolled on that campus. 

Anyone who qualifies as a settlement class member will receive the settlement benefit if and when the proposed settlement is approved. Class members will receive a payment distribution email, to be sent to their last known email address on file with the university, wherein they will be provided with a number of digital payment options such as PayPal, Venmo or a digital debit card, to immediately receive their payment. 

A valid email address is required to receive digital payment. If the email address on file changes or becomes invalid for any reason, it is the class member’s responsibility to provide accurate contact information to the settlement administrator to receive payment. 

The deadline to opt out of or object to the settlement is June 5, 2023.

A final approval hearing is scheduled for July 19, 2023.

There is no claim form required to receive benefits under the settlement.

Who’s Eligible

All students who were enrolled in any of the University’s campuses during the spring 2020 semester who were assessed tuition and/or fees for the semester, and who were not enrolled for the spring 2020 semester solely in a program that, at the beginning of the semester, was intended as an online program.

Potential Award

TBD

Proof of Purchase

N/A

Claim Form Deadline

N/A

Case Name

Miles Levin, et al. v. Board of Regents of the University of Colorado, Civil Action No. 2020CV31409 in the District Court for the City and County of Denver.

Final Hearing

07/19/2023

Settlement Website

CUCOVIDSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

University of Colorado Covid Refund Settlement
c/o A.B. Data, Ltd.
P.O. Box 173006
Milwaukee, WI 53217
info@cucovidsettlement.com
877-888-9251

Class Counsel

Michael Nolt
KISHINEVSKY & RAYKIN ATTORNEYS AT LAW

Defense Counsel

Jennifer Hunt
OFFICE OF THE COLORADO ATTORNEY GENERAL