University of Colorado settles COVID-19 shutdowns lawsuit for $5M

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The University of Colorado COVID-19 class action overview:

• Who: The University of Colorado has agreed to pay $5 million to settle a class action lawsuit brought by students.
• Why: The students say they should have been given partial refunds during the pandemic shutdowns. 
• Where: The University of Colorado COVID-19 class action settlement was filed in a Colorado federal court.
• What are my options: Consumers looking for alternatives to the University of Colorado may be interested in Udemy.

The University of Colorado has agreed to pay $5 million to settle a class action lawsuit brought by students who say they were denied access to services they paid for, thanks to the university’s COVID-19 pandemic closures, and were not given refunds. 

The lawsuit was filed April 18, 2020, during the COVID-19 shutdowns.

According to the lawsuit, the university breached a contract when it transitioned to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The plaintiffs alleged the University of Colorado’s shift to remote learning, while still collecting full fees, amounted to unjust enrichment. As a result, they filed a class action lawsuit seeking a partial refund of their tuition and fees for the spring 2020 semester. 

Despite the settlement, the university said it denies all allegations of wrongdoing and there has been no finding of liability in any court. 

“However, considering the interest of both the University and its students in prompt resolution of the matter, the University has agreed to establish a Settlement Fund to resolve the Action,” the lawsuit states. 

Spring 2020 students to benefit from settlement

The settlement covers all students enrolled during the spring 2020 semester at the CU Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver and Anschutz campuses.

“It was the right decision to shut down a lot of facilities and services,” lawyers for the plaintiffs told CBS. 

“But it was the wrong decision for public schools to keep money for services they weren’t providing. Students generally are cash poor in the first place, and it’s not fair to keep their money when they’re getting nothing in return.”

Students can access information about the class action lawsuit and settlement here.

In 2020, a class action lawsuit was filed against the University of Colorado Boulder specifically by other students claiming they were being overcharged due to COVID-19.

Are you affected by this University of Colorado settlement? Let us know in the comments. 

The University of Colorado settlement is Miles Levin, et al. v. Board of Regents of the University of Colorado, Civil Action No. 2020CV31409, in a Colorado federal court.

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