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Whether you’ve transferred to CU Boulder for your first semester or a returning student, faculty or staff member, it’s important to know how to efficiently find accurate information during emergencies that may occur on or near campus. 

The Division of Public Safety—which includes the CU Boulder Police Department, Events & Emergency Management, Threat Assessment and Flight Operations—provides comprehensive safety tools and resources for the campus community.

That includes timely notifications about emergencies and other situations that may impact campus.

Please bookmark the university’s , which outlines the  that can be sent, depending on the nature, location and severity of an incident. The alerts website also outlines how to receive alerts, which can differ depending upon the type of alert that is sent. 

For a review of all three notification levels and how each type of alert is shared, keep reading.

   CU Emergency Alert

CU Boulder issues emergency notifications, called CU Emergency Alerts, to the campus community when there is a confirmed immediate threat to the safety of those on our campus (or near campus in areas of high student populations).

Such threats may include an active harmer, a natural disaster, severe weather or other time-sensitive life safety concerns. CU Emergency Alerts can also be used in the event of campus closures or delayed starts.

These alerts are sent out via text message, email, social media and posted to the alerts site.

   CU Safety Alert (timely warning)

Along with CU Emergency Alerts, campus also issues CU Safety Alerts in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (). 

CU Safety Alerts are notifications to campus community members, sent to their colorado.edu email accounts, for certain reported crimes committed on or near campus that represent a serious or ongoing threat. These include: criminal homicide, sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, hate crimes, domestic/dating violence and stalking.

   CU Advisory

For non-immediate threats or other incidents that may impact the daily lives of our university community, CU Boulder has a tier of notifications called CU Advisories. 

CU Advisories are notifications to the campus that do not rise to the level of an emergency notification or safety alert but are high-profile enough that our campus community benefits from awareness. These are shared via social media and on our alerts site. 

Find additional information

In the case of campus emergencies, the university’s  will be updated with new information as soon as it is available, usually within 15 to 20 minutes of the first text message alert. All official alerts shared on social media will also be on this page along with links to additional  including the CU Boulder Police website and Emergency Management website.

How to receive CU Boulder alerts

Anyone with a colorado.edu email address is automatically registered to receive emergency and safety alert (timely warning) emails. Additionally, we highly encourage you to  to receive text alerts by going to the Buff Portal or your MyCUInfo portal. You can even choose from a list of preferred languages in which to receive alerts. See the on the alerts site. 

How to receive regional Boulder alerts

If you're in the Boulder area on a regular basis, read about emergency preparedness and sign up for . You can also opt into  to ensure you’re receiving the latest emergency updates on off-campus incidents. 

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CU Boulder's campus is home to, or frequented by, raccoons, deer, squirrels, beavers, prairie dogs, and dozens of species of birds. Foxes have also been making a rebound in the area. On rare occasions, we even get visits from larger animals such as coyotes and bears.

Hawk on campus. Photo by Craig Levinsky.

It’s important to remember, however, that wildlife is wild for a reason and should be treated as such for the well-being of both the animals and our people. CU Boulder’s Environmental Services team offers a few simple reminders for students, faculty and staff about interactions between people and wildlife.

• Do not approach or feed wild animals on campus, even squirrels or birds.
• If you are bitten by a squirrel or other animal on campus, clean the wound thoroughly and contact Medical Services at Wardenburg Health Center. They can provide information about wound care, signs of infection and next steps. While squirrels do not pose a risk for rabies, they can transmit other diseases that may require a tetanus booster.
• Do not feed the turtles or fish living in and around Varsity Lake, the Kittredge ponds, or other ponds around campus.
• If you come across an injured or dead animal, report it to the CU Facilities Management (FM) service desk at 303-492-5522 so that designated campus employees can properly assist or remove the animal.
• Problems or human contact with squirrels, rodents, birds, or other animals can likewise be reported to the FM service desk at 303-492-5522 at any time of day or night.
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s website includes several resources and tips, including how to and why is a bad idea. Websites for the and also include valuable information related to local wildlife.
• If a bear does come on campus, wildlife managers want to remove it safely, and without tagging it unless absolutely necessary. A tag will show that it has been to the city once. If a bear gets two tags, it will need to be euthanized by state law. .

“CU Boulder’s setting provides ample opportunities for observing wildlife, enhancing our enjoyment of campus and the outdoors,” said Wildlife Manager and Integrated Pest Manager Troy Muller.

CU staff works together with wildlife specialists, Boulder Animal Control and Colorado Parks and Wildlife when dealing with wildlife issues on campus, Muller said, and wildlife is handled with the utmost care to ensure the safety of the animal.

“CU also invests in an Integrated Pest Management department to make sure that when animals find their way to campus, they are cared for properly and when necessary safely removed from campus, ensuring the campus populace and the animal are safe,” Muller said.

“What makes CU Boulder such a special campus is the staff, faculty and student body can observe the wildlife and we can all coexist with each other. I feel very fortunate to work on such a beautiful campus and be around all the beautiful creatures that call this place home."

Bears are sporadically seen in the Boulder foothills and, on rare occasion, campus during the months they are active, which is typically mid-March through November. Learn how to safely co-exist with bears.

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As part of the continuous assessment of our emergency notification protocols and procedures, campus officials will test the CU Boulder alerts system at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

The annual testing, required by a federal law known as the Clery Act, involves checking the university’s systems for sending text messages, emails, social media posts, computer desktop alerts and website announcements. CU Boulder conduct alert tests each semester to ensure the university stays current with best practices and maintains readiness to respond in case of emergencies.

Before the Jan. 28 test, students, faculty and staff members should check their portal accounts to make sure their contact information is up to date.

The below information outlines how to ensure you receive emergency notifications, the types of  the campus provides, and how to stay informed about off-campus incidents.

How to receive CU Boulder alerts

Students should consult the . Faculty, staff and others with university email accounts (colorado.edu) can consult the . CU Boulder employees can now opt to receive alerts in languages other than English. This service is also available to students.

CU Boulder partners who have cu.edu, cufund.org, cusys.edu, ucdenver.edu or cuanschutz.edu email domains must register and maintain their information on the CU Boulder .

Affiliates who are not students, faculty or staff and do not have a CU email domain can opt in to receive CU Boulder text alerts by texting “cuaffiliate” to 67283. Your registration will expire one year after you opt in, and you will be required to reregister each year. You may text “STOP” at any time to 67283 to be removed. As a member of CU Boulder alerts, you will receive text notifications for campuswide events.

If there is a true ongoing campus threat to personal safety or a campus closure, a campuswide alert will be sent using one or all of the communication methods available. Text messaging is the preferred method of the system, since this mode reaches the most individuals in the least amount of time.

After the scheduled test, if you think that you should have received an alert and didn’t, or if you need help signing up for the system, please email the Emergency Management team.

What are CU Emergency Alerts?

CU Boulder issues emergency notifications, called CU Emergency Alerts, to the campus community when there is a confirmed immediate threat to the safety of those on our campus or near campus in areas of high student populations.

Such threats may include an active harmer, a natural disaster, severe weather or other time-sensitive life safety concerns. CU Emergency Alerts can also be used in the event of campus closures or delayed starts.

Other notifications: CU Safety Alerts and CU Advisories

As a reminder, the university has three levels of emergency notification.

Along with CU Emergency Alerts, campus also issues CU Safety Alerts (timely warnings) in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ().

For nonimmediate threats or other incidents that may impact the daily lives of our university community, CU Boulder has a tier of notifications called CU Advisories.

What about off-campus emergencies?

For campus community members who live off campus or who are off campus frequently, it is natural to want to know what is happening nearby and how to stay safe. This article explains how the university responds to off-campus incidents in areas of high student populations and has valuable information on how to stay informed of emergency notifications.

The city of Boulder and Boulder County emergency responders distribute emergency alerts via a system called , also referred to as Everbridge. Community members with Boulder addresses are automatically opted-in to the Everbridge system. Those who live outside of Boulder but want to be aware of emergency notifications in the area .

The university encourages all community members to follow  and  on X (formerly Twitter). The CU Boulder Police Department is part of the Division of Public Safety.

The Boulder Police Department and Boulder Fire-Rescue also maintain social media channels for nonemergency information. Local news media is also a great resource, especially in situations in which rumors are spreading on social media.

If you have questions regarding emergency management at CU Boulder, visit Emergency Management website or email the team. Emergency Management provides a list of common emergency definitions on their website, which is also linked on the CU Boulder alerts website. 

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Members from CU Boulder’s Department of Threat Assessment, part of the Division of Public Safety, kicked off the spring semester by hosting a collaborative training. Sponsored by CU Boulder’s  through a grant from the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program, the training explored the role threat assessment plays in identifying and assessing targeted violence.

Participants took deep dives into case studies that facilitated discussions of commonly recognized but often overlooked pathways to violence, strengthening existing partnerships to foster a more holistic approach to safety on campus.

Stanley Ly, director of CU Boulder’s  (FSAP), said the training helped illustrate the importance of streamlining referrals for mental health support for employees to form a more consistent pipeline and reduce redundancy.

“Together, we’ve improved our capacity for rapid response to distressed employees. Emergencies tend to beget chaos and unpredictability. So, the more layers of reliability, trust and order that Threat Assessment is able to impose in response will enable employee resources, such as FSAP, to more rapidly and effectively support those who are most in need during distressing scenarios,” Ly said.

Licensed counselors at FSAP are available to connect with CU Boulder employees going through difficult situations to offer resources, validation and nonjudgmental mental health support during times of distress. All FSAP services are confidential and made available at no cost to employees of the university.

Since the Division of Public Safety was formed in spring of 2024, Ly said he’s noticed significant growth in resources and protocols when it comes to appropriate sharing of information and collaboration across campus units. “These changes enable an ease in cross-pollination of ideas and collaboration between our various disciplines,” he added.

Threat Assessment Director Montelleo Hobley said trainings like this continue to foster a culture of sharing concerns. “As we move into 2025, we remain dedicated to advancing the integration of Threat Assessment practices, protocols and procedures into the mindset of individuals at CU Boulder,” Hobley said, adding, “We believe that our continued collaboration with the campus and wider Boulder community will be essential in strengthening our collective efforts to prevent targeted violence.”

CU Boulder has several robust processes for individuals to share concerns and request support, including several reporting options through CUPD, the Don't Ignore It website and anonymously through . When concerns are reported, they are evaluated and addressed through tailored processes depending on the involved populations.

The training also featured guest speakers from the Foundation for Individual Rights & Expression and the University of Southern California.

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Our campus building access emphasizes safety and building security while providing convenient access for students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Most academic buildings with scheduled classes will be open and unlocked between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to allow nonaffiliates access to scheduled events and other activities.

• Doors unlocked between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. are electronic doors only. Manual-action doors will remain locked at all times and be available for exit only.
• CU students, faculty and staff will continue to have extended access (from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and from 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.) to these same academic buildings via Buff OneCard swipe.
• A few buildings may maintain slightly different hours based on class schedules and staffing.

Prior access preferences established on Buff OneCards for students, faculty and staff remain in place. Students, faculty and staff who normally have weekend and after-hours access to specific buildings will still have access to those buildings.

CU affiliates needing special access to a specific building are asked to contact their building proctors, C-CURE operators or department chairs to request the authorization/access needed on their Buff OneCards.

University Libraries, the Recreation Center, the UMC and Health and Wellness Services publish their respective hours on their websites.

Tips for accessing a building with your Buff OneCard

• Always have your Buff OneCard.
• Depending on the type of card reader, make sure you are either:
  • Swiping with the stripe on the back of your card facing to the right
  • Or tapping the card on the proximity reader with your photo facing toward you

Review the full building access page, including details on getting help entering a building and other questions.

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During your time at CU, you may find yourself at social events or parties that have alcohol or other substances. This guide offers practical tips and advice to help you navigate parties and stay safe.

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Boulder is expecting snow and freezing temperatures for the next few days. Whether you're staying in town or leaving for the weekend, here are some tips to be prepared.

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Winter and springtime along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains can bring volatile weather conditions. CU Boulder’s campus closure policy clarifies delays and closures caused by extreme weather, power outages and other emergencies. Here’s what campus community members need to know.

Knowing operational status

• Campus officials are typically able to announce delays or closures by 5:30 a.m.
• Notifications of delays and closures are sent out via , campus social media channels and, often, local broadcast media.
• You can also view the university’s website for any change in operating status or call Buff Info at 303-492-INFO (4636), as well as read complete information on campus closing procedures.

Class cancellation and administrative closures

In the event of a campus closure due to severe weather, the alert will specify a class cancellation, administrative closure or both.

When a class cancellation is issued, all in-person and remote (synchronous) classes are canceled for the day. Asynchronous online classes, which don’t have meeting times, will continue without cancellation.

When an administrative closure is issued, administrative functions of the campus are closed, which may include campus events, facilities and venues. Essential services, unless otherwise noted, will continue to operate.

Administrative closures without course cancellations would be rare but may be issued during weekends or academic breaks when there are no regularly scheduled classes.

Are you signed up for CU Boulder alerts?

• CU Boulder students, you are automatically registered using your @colorado.edu email address. We ask that you add a mobile number during course registration periods and update as needed in . Get on how to do so.
• CU Boulder faculty and staff, you are automatically registered using your @colorado.edu email address. Manage your mobile alerts number, and update as needed in your . Get on how to do so.
• CU Boulder partners with @cu.edu, @cufund.org, @cusys.edu, @ucdenver.edu or @cuanschutz.edu email domains must still .

Delayed start

Sometimes, due to adverse conditions judged to be hazardous to normal campus operations, the campus will delay its opening.

For example, if the campus were to have a delayed start at 9:45 a.m., this would mean all in-person or remote (synchronously taught) classes, recitations, labs, etc. scheduled to begin before 9:45 a.m. would be canceled. Faculty would take steps to make up material and assignments missed during that time in a later class period. All classes, labs, recitations, etc., scheduled to begin at or after 9:45 a.m. would be held as normal. Students with questions about making up assignments should talk to their instructor.

How does a delayed opening apply during the 2024–25 academic year?

• Any in-person or remote (synchronously taught) class or lab scheduled to start at or after a delayed start time will meet as usual.
• In-person and remote (synchronously taught) classes and labs that begin before the delayed start time are canceled, including those continuing past the delayed start.
• Online classes taught asynchronously, without a specific start time, are not affected by the delay.

Employee guidance

Administrative leave is granted to all regular employees for their scheduled work hours during the period of administrative closure. Employees may reference the Inclement Weather Guidance from Human �ƹ���Ƶ for more information, including requirements and guidance for essential and critical services employees who may be required to work during a delay or closure per the updated Campus Closure Policy.

Most faculty and staff are not expected to work during an administrative closure or delayed start regardless of work modality. In the event that multi-campus, virtual meetings not pertaining to the closure are scheduled, communication will be sent to impacted employees as early as possible. All other meetings are canceled, regardless of modality (i.e., virtual).

Secure connection from anywhere 

CU Boulder's , as long as the device has an internet connection.

Safety tips

Plan ahead, give yourself sufficient time and plan your route. Traffic moves slowly in snowy conditions; leave early to arrive on time. Rushing can lead to accidents or slips and falls.

Wear shoes or boots that provide traction on snow and ice. Opt for boots or shoes with a sturdy and slip-resistant outsole.

Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles, climbing or descending stairs, entering or leaving buildings. Hold on to a handrail on stairs, and hold on to your vehicle while exiting and entering it.

Walk on designated walkways. Don’t take shortcuts over snow piles or areas where snow and ice removal is not feasible. You may have to use different routes than usual.

Walk safely on snow or ice. Take small steps: Keep your steps small and shuffle your feet rather than taking long strides. This helps maintain balance and reduces the risk of slipping.

Walk flat-footed. Instead of walking with your weight on your heels or toes, distribute your weight evenly across your foot with each step. 

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CU Boulder’s Division of Public Safety, the  and the  offer several helpful resources and reminders for when freezing temperatures arrive and snowflakes start flying.

• Buff Bus riders should check the Transit app for campus bus updates and reroute alerts. Commuting students, faculty and staff riding to/from campus via RTD bus routes are encouraged to .
• CU Boulder’s Department of Emergency Management, part of the Division of Public Safety, features several weather safety tips on its website.
• The city of Boulder’s  features key things you can do to stay informed and be prepared for a snow event.
• The Colorado Department of Transportation includes  on its website.
• The latest  can be found on the National Weather Service website.

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As the semester comes to an end, here are some tips to help you and your friends stay safe.

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