We want to share an early update regarding a developing helium supply issue that will impact campuses across the CU system.

Airgas has notified us that a national helium allocation is being implemented, which will affect availability and order fulfillment. While details are still evolving, we are providing this heads up so departments can begin planning.

What We Know Right Now

• Orders on hold: All helium Purchase Orders submitted on or after March 10 are currently on hold pending allocation confirmation.
• Allocation model: Airgas is implementing a national allocation; campus-level amounts are not yet available.
• Next update: The PSC is meeting with Airgas on March 24, though final details may still be pending afterward.
• Pricing: A 13.5% surcharge is built into product pricing (not a separate line item on POs).
• Department outreach: PSC will contact departments that regularly order helium once allocations are confirmed.
• Operational impact: Departments should plan for potential supply constraints, including impacts to specialty blends with higher helium concentrations.

What You Should Do

Please review any upcoming helium-dependent work and consider contingency plans where possible.

What’s Next

We will continue to share updates via blog posts, newsletters, and direct outreach. Future communications will include allocation details, ordering guidance, and instructions for departments with critical needs. Airgas will also post updates in CU Marketplace when constraints are lifted.

If your department has urgent or essential helium needs, please contact Alicia Braveheart at Alicia.Braveheart@cu.edu.

Thank you for your partnership as we work through this.