BOULDER — The A+ long-term bond rating for the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) has been affirmed by the credit rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P).

The A+ rating reflects UCAR's role as a leading organization supporting atmospheric and earth-system science, and its ability to increase its financial strength, S&P stated in the report last month.

UCAR, a consortium of more than 100 colleges and universities, manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) under sponsorship by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The organization has an annual budget of more than $200 million.

The Anthes Building in Boulder houses UCAR's administrative staff. (©UCAR. Photo by Carlye Calvin. This image is freely available for media & nonprofit use.)

In its report, S&P cited a number of UCAR's strengths: financial flexibility, stable membership, longstanding relationship with NSF, manageable debt, and solid operating performance.

Melissa Miller, UCAR vice president of finance and administration, said the organization works hard to maintain a high credit rating, which translates into lower costs for its funders.

Bonds have been issued over the years to procure and equip facilities.

"UCAR is vigilant in taking the necessary steps to ensure continued sound fiscal management amid a frequently changing financial landscape," Miller said.

See all News