Announcing CU Anschutz Police Leadership Transition, 9-29-2025

Dear faculty, staff and students,

We write today to share two important updates regarding the leadership of CU Anschutz Police and Campus Safety and Security.

Honoring Chief Randy Repola
Chief of Police and Associate Vice Chancellor Randy Repola will retire in November after more than eight years of dedicated service to CU Anschutz and a distinguished 30-year career in law enforcement. 

Chief Repola joined our campus in 2017 to lead CU Anschutz Police and Campus Safety and Security following leadership roles at CU Boulder and the Estes Park Police Department. During his tenure, he has guided our campus through significant change, including navigating us safely through the COVID-19 pandemic. He strengthened campus safety and security, oversaw the department’s move into a new facility and led a rigorous multiyear law enforcement accreditation process. 

With great vision and deep commitment to our campus community, Chief Repola built an outstanding, highly collaborative team and forged strong partnerships with our hospital affiliates and the city of Aurora. He leaves CU Anschutz Police and Campus Safety and Security well-positioned for the future, and his legacy will be felt for years to come.

We look forward to celebrating Chief Repola’s countless contributions at a retirement reception in Krugman Conference Hall in the Research 2 Building on November 3. Details are available here, and all are welcome.

Welcoming Matthew D. Harris, PhD
We are pleased to announce that Matthew Harris, PhD, will join CU Anschutz as our next Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief of Police on October 20. 

Dr. Harris currently serves as sheriff of Clear Creek County and brings nearly three decades of law enforcement experience across federal, state and local agencies including leadership roles with the U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Justice. 

In addition to extensive law enforcement training, Dr. Harris holds a PhD in business administration from Northcentral University and an MPA from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He has taught university courses in leadership, public policy and criminal justice for more than 15 years. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Harris has demonstrated a collaborative approach and a deep commitment to public service. We are confident that he will build on the strong foundation Chief Repola has established to lead CU Anschutz Police and Campus Safety and Security into its next chapter. 

We extend our sincere thanks to the search committee for their thoughtful work, and to both Chief Repola and Dr. Harris for ensuring a smooth transition. 

Please join us in thanking Chief Repola for his outstanding service and in welcoming Dr. Harris to our campus. 

Sincerely,

Don Elliman
Chancellor

Terri C. Carrothers
Executive Vice Chancellor,
Administration and Finance
Chief Financial Officer