Get federal transition updates from the CU System office.
Washington, DC Office
1101 14th Street NWSuite 1210
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 303-495-9624
Denver Office
1800 Grant StreetSuite 800
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: 303-246-7040
FEDERAL RELATIONS TEAM
Natalie Barry, Director of Federal Relations and Operations
Contact:
Phone: 303-495-9624
Natalie.Barry@cu.edu
Bio:
Natalie Barry is the Director of Federal Relations and Operations. She has been with the University of Colorado since 2011, and supports a broad range of administrative, research, writing, and analytical duties that are designed to support CU’s federal relations efforts. Barry works closely with staff for the Colorado congressional delegation, federal elected officials, military officials, and other offices to schedule outreach meetings, campus tours, and events with congressional members and staff, federal elected officials, and military officials (in Colorado, Washington, D.C, and virtually). She also acts as the point of contact with congressional schedulers for events, coordination with university staff and faculty, constituent matters, etc. for all campuses and the CU System offices. In addition, Barry manages the overall office budget for the Denver office and manages operations for the Washington, DC office, including office budgets, contracts, and travel. Barry also manages the Colorado Capital Conference for the University, in cooperation with external and CU campus partners.
Natalie received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from University of Nevada, Las Vegas and an AAS in Business Management from Community College of Southern Nevada. She and her husband Tyler enjoy living in Colorado with their dogs and traveling as much as possible.
Natalie Barry, Director of Federal Relations & Operations
Cyrus McCrimmon
Heather Bené, Associate Vice President of Research and Federal Policy
Contact:
Phone: 202-763-4467
Heather.Bene@cu.edu
Bio:
Heather Bené is the Associate Vice President of Research and Federal Policy for the University of Colorado and represents CU in Washington, DC. Bené represents the university with federal officials, national organizations and government entities on funding and policy issues related to higher education and scientific research.
Bené has served in numerous national leadership roles, including as President of The Science Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of more than 50 of the nation's leading research universities dedicated to sustaining federal investment in fundamental scientific research. She has served on the leadership boards for the Association of American Universities' (AAU) Council on Federal Relations and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities' (APLU) Council on Governmental Affairs. Bené is the 2020 recipient of AAU's "Ripple Effect" Impact Award, which recognizes her public service and mentorship contributions both within AAU and across the higher education community.
Prior to joining CU in 2014, Bené worked in the Government Relations Office at Oregon State University on state and federal policy. Bené is a graduate of Oregon State University with Bachelor’s Degrees in English and Political Science and a Master's Degree in Public Policy.
Heather Bené, Associate Vice President of Research & Federal Policy
Tim Coburn
Riley Black, Federal Relations Assistant
Contact:
Phone: 202-642-0954
Riley.Black@cu.edu
Bio:
Riley Black is the Federal Relations Assistant for the Office of Government Relations at the University of Colorado. He assists the federal relations team with administrative, research, and event planning tasks. Prior to joining CU in 2024, he served as an intern in the U.S. Senate. Riley is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy Studies. Born and raised in Colorado, he currently resides in Washington, D.C.
Riley Black, Federal Relations Assistant
Jon Arnold
Annie Larson, Assistant Vice President of Federal Relations and Outreach
Contact:
Phone: 720-403-3026
Annie.Larson@cu.edu
Bio:
Annie Larson is the Assistant Vice President of Federal Relations and Outreach for the University of Colorado System. Based in Denver, she serves as the federal liaison for the CU Denver and UCCS campuses, and provides staff support at CU Boulder and CU Anschutz.
Annie joined CU in 2023, bringing with her a decade of experience working in and with the government in Colorado. Annie gained her experience in public policy, constituent relations, government relations and outreach through her time at the Colorado State House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and at a Denver public relations firm where she served as a consultant on behalf of healthcare and bioscience clients and focused on state and federal advocacy and outreach. Prior to moving to Colorado in 2013, Annie worked in Washington, D.C.
A native Oregonian, Annie discovered her passion for the legislative process through interning at the Oregon State Legislature during college. She graduated from Willamette University with a bachelor’s degree in American Politics. Annie resides in Denver South with her husband and two daughters.
Annie Larson, Assistant Vice President of Federal Relations & Outreach
University of Colorado
Brett Roude, Assistant Vice President of Federal Relations and Health Policy
Contact:
Phone: 202-281-9301
Brett.Roude@cu.edu
Bio:
Brett Roude is the Assistant Vice President of Federal Relations and Health Policy for the University of Colorado and represents CU in Washington, DC. He represents the university with federal officials, national organizations, and government entities on health policy issues, medical research and public health funding, health workforce development, and coverage issues. Prior to joining CU in early 2022, Brett worked for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), where he focused on health equity, workforce development, and issues impacting students. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, and earned his Master’s in Political Management from the George Washington University. A native New Yorker, Brett currently resides in Washington, D.C.
Brett Roude, Assistant Vice President of Federal Relations & Health Policy
Tim Coburn
STATE RELATIONS TEAM
Maria Lewis, State Relations Coordinator
Contact
Phone: 720-955-8865
maria.lewis@cu.edu
Bio
Maria Lewis is the State Relations Coordinator in the University of Colorado’s Office of Government Relations. In her role, she works closely with students, faculty, university leadership, and external stakeholders to facilitate policy development, strategic initiatives, and governance processes. She assists in organizing meetings, preparing reports, managing communications, and ensuring effective engagement across the CU system.
Maria has experience in governmental and public policy analysis, with a background in legislative research, budget management, and stakeholder coordination. She has been actively involved in faculty relations, participating in key initiatives such as the Faculty Council Retreat and university governance projects in her previous role as Faculty Council Administrator.
She holds two master’s degrees in criminal justice and public administration from the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs, equipping her with a strong foundation in policy development, public sector management, and institutional governance. With a passion for higher education policy and public service, she is committed to strengthening collaboration between the university and government entities to support faculty and institutional priorities. In her free time, Maria enjoys trying new restaurants, skiing, binge watching Netflix documentaries, and taking her dog, Chaco, for walks.
Maria Lewis, State Relations Coordinator
Jackie Adelmann
Rebecca Massey, Senior Advisor for State Relations & Public Policy
Contact:
Phone: 720-403-0143
Rebecca.Massey@cu.edu
Bio:
Rebecca Massey is a Senior Advisor for State Relations and Public Policy for the Office of Government Relations at the University of Colorado. She is a part of the state relations team, which is responsible for CU’s advocacy efforts at the state, including budget and capital requests, legislation of impact and representing all four campuses at the capitol. As a registered lobbyist for the University, she develops, coordinates, and maintains necessary relationships on the campuses as well as develops strategy to assist in attaining the University’s legislative priorities.
Prior to coming to CU, Rebecca worked at the Colorado Department of Higher Education as a Lead Finance Analyst. Originally from Salida, Rebecca’s family’s roots are in Texas-prompting her to study at Baylor (Sic ‘em Bears!). Rebecca is also active with Junior League of Denver where she focuses on public policy around housing, food access, and women’s issues.
Rebecca Massey, Senior Advisor for State Relations & Public Policy
University of Colorado
Angela Rennick, Senior Director of State Relations
Contact:
Phone: 303-246-7040
Angela.Rennick@cu.edu
Bio:
Angela Rennick is the Senior Director of State Relations on the University of Colorado’s Office of Government Relations. She serves on the state relations team which is responsible for CU’s advocacy efforts at the state, including budget and capital requests, legislation of impact and representing all four campuses at the capitol. She is responsible for analyzing and tracking legislation during the state session, as well as preparing fact sheets for use with legislators and assisting the lobby team with coverage of committee hearings and stakeholder meetings. Additionally, she helps prepare correspondence and updates to the university community on legislation. Angela also works with the offices of the Governor, Lt. Governor and state legislators on constituent issues and organizing tours and events throughout Colorado.
Angela has a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Colorado State University and a Master in Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs. She resides in Denver with her husband Alex and their dog Ginny.
Angela Rennick, Senior Director of State Relations
Cyrus McCrimmon
Heather Retzko, Vice President for State Relations
Contact:
Phone: 303-818-2519
Heather.Retzko@cu.edu
Bio:
Heather Retzko serves as the Vice President of State Relations for the University of Colorado’s Office of Government Relations. With over fifteen years of experience in both government relations and higher education, she is an accomplished lobbyist and public policy influencer. She leads the University of Colorado’s State Government Relations team, which represents all four campuses at the capitol. The office is responsible for CU’s advocacy efforts at the state, including budget and capital requests and legislation of impact. Through building critical relationships with members of the legislature and executive branch, her team works to translate the value of the University and its distinctive campuses to state leaders so that they in turn remain committed higher education partners.
Heather’s unique background in these sectors has given her an extensive understanding of the interplay between policy and the higher education landscape. She takes special interest in issues related to operations management, Title IX, research, academic affairs and role and mission as well as removing barriers to access for students in Colorado. She recently led in advocacy efforts to eliminate the state requirement for perspective college students to submit national assessment scores during the admissions process. Heather is a trusted thought partner and strategist, both to political and higher education leaders alike. She plays a pivotal role driving higher education policy in the State of Colorado. Prior to her work on state issues, Heather also worked on CU’s Federal Relations team on critical research and policy areas.
She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs. Heather was a fellow in the CU’s Excellence in Leaders Program, a President’s Employee of the Year nominee and serves on the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Board of Directors. Born and raised in Aurora, Colorado, she resides in Denver, with her husband Jay and their three children Ryker, Mila and Bryson. She enjoys camping in Colorado’s great outdoors, is an avid cycler/Pelotoner and a lifelong Bronco fan.
Heather Retzko, Vice President for State Relations
Cyrus McCrimmon