The University of Colorado Cardiovascular Institute (CU-CVI) was co-founded in 1998 by Michael R. Bristow, MD, PhD and Leslie Leinwand, PhD with the idea to integrate cardiovascular research, treatment, and discovery through a collaboration of the Anschutz Medical and Boulder campuses. 

The scientific goals of the Institute are to understand the genetic basis and specific molecular mechanisms responsible for heart muscle disease and heart failure and to produce new diagnostic techniques and treatments for patients. By integrating the effort of those committed to curing heart muscle disease and heart failure, the collaborative nature of the Institute encourages the sharing of findings and data, which ultimately translate into improved treatments and therapies of patients.