ISU Athletic Director Bruce Van De Velde said he will remain at Iowa State, contrary to published reports.

The Denver Post reported Wednesday that Van De Velde was a candidate for the University of Colorado athletic director’s job vacated by Dick Tharp. The (Ames) Tribune, citing the Post story, reported the same Thursday.

Pauline Hale, a spokesperson for Colorado, said no candidates’ names have been announced and she had no further comment at this time.

Van De Velde also released a statement denying any move to Colorado.

“Contrary to published reports, I am not a candidate for the position of athletics director at the University of Colorado,” Van De Velde said.

“My focus remains on maintaining and building on the athletic success we have generated at Iowa State University.”

The statement was issued to deny reports of Van De Velde’s inclusion in a list of 12 possible candidates for the job.

Asked whether Van De Velde was ever a candidate for the Colorado job, athletic department spokesman Tom Kroeschell declined to comment, saying he believes the statement speaks for itself.

Van De Velde has held the athletic director post at Iowa State since November 2000, and his original contract expires on July 1.

He agreed last summer to a new arrangement where he faces yearly evaluations to determine if he is retained.

The agreement also allows Van De Velde to look into other possibilities — like Colorado — without violating his contract.

Colorado president Elizabeth Hoffman has resigned, as Tharp did, because of fallout from a football recruitment scandal.

It is unknown at this time when the list of candidates will be officially released.