CSU's Board of Governors has settled an open-meeting lawsuit brought against it by three media organizations, including the Coloradoan, by releasing audio recordings made at a secret meeting and paying $19,000 in attorney fees.

In settling the suit Wednesday, the board did not admit to breaking the law or committing any wrongdoing. The suit was filed May 6 by the Coloradoan, the Pueblo Chieftain and the Colorado Independent.

"We made the difficult decision to bring this lawsuit because we felt it was a necessary step to change the culture of secrecy that had grown at CSU," said Coloradoan Executive Editor Bob Moore. "This settlement, and the increased transparency that we've begun to see at CSU, are positive signs that the culture is changing."