Residency Classification in Colorado
Determining Your Residency
To determine your initial residency classification at Colorado State University Pueblo, the Office of Admissions uses the information you provided in the Residency Section of your CSU Pueblo Admissions Application.
Colorado residency for tuition purposes for the state of Colorado is governed by State Law (Title 23, Article 7, of the Colorado Revised Statutes of 1973, as amended) and by judicial decisions that apply to all public institutions of higher education in Colorado and is subject to change at any time.
Furthermore, the residency decision made at one Colorado institution is non-transferable to other Colorado institutions. Colorado State University Pueblo must apply the rules set forth in the residency statutes and is not free to make exceptions to the rules except as specifically permitted by State Law.
Changing Your Residency Status
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Newly admitted or readmitted students
If you disagree with the residency decision made by the Office of Admissions, submit the Residency Information Form before the end of your first semester of enrollment at CSU Pueblo. If your residency status remains unchanged, you may petition for residency. Visit the Petition Process and Deadlines page for more information.
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Continuing Students
If you are seeking to change your residency after completing 1 (one) semester at CSU Pueblo, you will need to petition for residency. Visit our Petition Process and Deadlines page for more information.
Definitions, Details, and Residency Requirements
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What is a “Domicile”?
Domicile refers to a person’s true, fixed, and permanent home and place of habitation. It is the place where a person intends to remain, or expects to return after leaving an institution without intending to establish a new domicile elsewhere.
Colorado residency requires a domicile in Colorado for 12 continuous months on or prior to the first day of classes of each semester. Because domicile is defined as a permanent home and legal residence, being in Colorado solely for school purposes and/or temporarily for other purposes does not qualify as domicile for Colorado residency. Additionally, even if you do not qualify for residency in any other state, you are not guaranteed Colorado residency.
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Physical Presence
Physical presence refers to your actual permanent home and legal residence. Proof of physical presence may include all of the following:
- Lease agreements
- Rent receipts
- Homeownership
- Notarized statement from a landlord
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Evidence of Intent
Evidence of intent to make Colorado your permanent home and legal residence is demonstrated by giving up all your legal ties with your prior state and establishing them with Colorado for 12 continuous months. Proof that demonstrates evidence of intent, as specified by the residency statute, may include all the following:
- Colorado driver’s license or valid Colorado ID for 12 continuous months
- Colorado motor vehicle registration for 12 continuous months
- Permanent, full-time, off-campus employment
- Colorado voter registration
- Change in a permanent address on all pertinent records
- Payment of Colorado state income taxes as a Colorado resident
- Withholding of Colorado state taxes from wages
- Ownership of residential property in Colorado
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Evidence of Legal Ties Outside of Colorado
Evidence of legal ties outside of Colorado include the following:
- Driver's license or state ID issued by another state
- Tax filings in another state
- Filing a Colorado non-resident tax return
- Maintenance of a home in another state
- Prolonged absence from Colorado
- Vehicle you operate is registered in another state
- Residing in another state between academic terms or when not enrolled as a student
- Any other factor unique to the individual which tends to imply your permanent home and legal residence is in another state
