Safety

5 things everyone should know about sexual assault

Megan Maneval — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0000

5 things everyone should know about sexual assault Megan Maneval Wed, 09/03/2025 - 00:00

Health and Wellness Services

Sexual assault is all too common and can have lasting impacts on individuals and communities. Here are five things everyone should know about sexual assault.

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5 tips for Labor Day weekend

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0000

5 tips for Labor Day weekend Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 08/29/2025 - 00:00

From safety tips and dining hall hours to noise and fireworks ordinances, here are some tips and reminders to keep in mind as we head into Labor Day weekend.

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CUPD welcomes 2 explosive detection K-9s: Dax and Harlo

Megan Maneval — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 20:04:40 +0000

CUPD welcomes 2 explosive detection K-9s: Dax and Harlo Megan Maneval Thu, 08/28/2025 - 14:04

The 91ɫ�� Police Department (CUPD) has expanded its team with two new four-legged officers: Dax, a black Labrador retriever, and Harlo, a golden Labrador retriever. These energetic and highly trained explosive detection K-9s are already making their presence known across campus, keeping the campus community safe by sniffing out potential threats all while bringing smiles to students, faculty and staff.

Dax and Harlo are both just under 2 years old and have undergone rigorous training to prepare for their roles. Explosive detection dogs are selected for their curiosity, drive and ability to focus in high-stimulation environments. Their training involves learning to detect a wide range of explosive materials through scent, often using real-world scenarios to simulate the types of environments they’ll encounter on duty.

“These dogs are trained to sniff out suspicious packages and items, especially around campus events,” said Officer Bianca Sipres, Harlo’s handler. “Harlo is very energetic and still very much a puppy. He loves attention and meeting people, but when he’s working, he’s all about sniffing and keeping our campus safe.”

Officer Ryley Davis, Dax’s handler, echoed the importance of curiosity in a K-9’s temperament.

“We look for dogs that are going to seek things out, and that’s exactly what Dax does,” Davis said. “You’ll see him sticking his nose in all sorts of places, investigating and doing what he’s trained to do.”

The journey to becoming a K-9 handler is highly competitive. Officers Sipres and Davis underwent a rigorous selection process, including interviews, evaluations and specialized training to ensure they were the right fit for this critical role. Their dedication and connection with their K-9 partners are evident in their interactions on campus.

When you see Dax or Harlo on patrol, expect to see a lot of sniffing—it's their way of working. But don’t be shy. Both dogs are friendly and love meeting people.

“Don’t be afraid to come ask us questions or even just to come meet Harlo,” said Sipres. “He loves to meet people.”

Davis added, “Feel free to come say hi and give Dax some pets. He loves the attention, and he’s a friendly dog.”

With Dax and Harlo now part of the CUPD team, the department is better equipped than ever to ensure the safety of the 91ɫ�� community—one sniff at a time.

Two Labrador retrievers are completing training on the 91ɫ�� campus and will officially be sworn in to the 91ɫ�� Police Department later this fall.

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Squad goals: 4 ways to look out for each other

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:46:15 +0000

Squad goals: 4 ways to look out for each other Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/27/2025 - 07:46

College life is full of unforgettable experiences. By sticking together and watching out for our herd, you can make sure fun times stay positive and everyone gets home safely.

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Test of alert system set for Sept. 2: What you need to know

Megan Maneval — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 20:16:54 +0000

Test of alert system set for Sept. 2: What you need to know Megan Maneval Tue, 08/26/2025 - 14:16

As part of the continuous assessment of our emergency notification protocols and procedures, campus officials will test the 91ɫ�� alerts system at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

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. 91ɫ�� 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 Sept. 2 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 emergency notifications the campus provides, and how to stay informed about off-campus incidents.

How to receive 91ɫ�� alerts

Students should consult the student alerts step-by-step guide. Faculty, staff and others with university email accounts (colorado.edu) can consult the employee alerts step-by-step guide. 91ɫ�� employees can now opt to receive alerts in languages other than English. This service is also available to students.

91ɫ�� partners who have cu.edu, cufund.org, cusys.edu, ucdenver.edu or cuanschutz.edu email domains must register and maintain their information on the 91ɫ�� Rave webpage.

Affiliates who are not students, faculty or staff and do not have a CU email domain can opt in to receive 91ɫ�� 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 91ɫ�� 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?

91ɫ�� 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 (Clery Act).

For nonimmediate threats or other incidents that may impact the daily lives of our university community, 91ɫ�� 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 91ɫ�� and 91ɫ�� County emergency responders distribute emergency alerts via a system called BOCOAlert, also referred to as Everbridge. Community members with 91ɫ�� addresses are automatically opted-in to the Everbridge system. Those who live outside of 91ɫ�� but want to be aware of emergency notifications in the area must sign up.

The university encourages all community members to follow @CU91ɫ��Alerts and @CU91ɫ��Police on X (formerly Twitter). The 91ɫ�� Police Department is part of the Division of Public Safety.

The 91ɫ�� Police Department and 91ɫ�� 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 91ɫ��, 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 91ɫ�� alerts website.

On Sept. 2 at approx. 12:15 p.m., 91ɫ�� will test the alerts system as part of the continuous assessment of campus emergency notification protocols and procedures.

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Party smarter: How to navigate college parties

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 20:00:03 +0000

Party smarter: How to navigate college parties Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/26/2025 - 14:00

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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Prepare for impacts ahead of Aug. 29 football game

Megan Maneval — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 17:29:51 +0000

Prepare for impacts ahead of Aug. 29 football game Megan Maneval Tue, 08/26/2025 - 11:29

The Colorado Buffaloes will host Georgia Tech at Folsom Field on Friday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. The game will be aired on ESPN.

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to plan ahead for parking and commuting impacts. Below is important information to help community members as the campus prepares for the evening event.

Academics

Classes will not be canceled because of the football game. The Earth Sciences and Map Library will close at 3 p.m. due to restricted building access. All other university libraries, including Norlin Library, will follow these closing times.

Building access

All campus buildings will be locked and require Buff OneCard access beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 28 and all day Aug. 29. All students, faculty and staff will be able to access the buildings they normally use, as long as they have a Buff OneCard. Those who do not have a Buff OneCard should work with the building manager or building proctor if they need to conduct work, research or projects in an academic building.

Campus buildings will remain locked through the weekend and will only be accessible to those with Buff OneCard access. They will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 7:30 a.m.

Access to Folsom Field and the plaza area around the stadium will be restricted beginning at 1:30 p.m. Only credentialed game day staff will be allowed in these areas after 1:30 p.m.

Those with classes in the Gold, Porter, Muenzinger and Carlson buildings will not be able to pass through the plaza after 1:30 p.m., and will need to enter and exit those buildings through other entrances.
For classes normally held in the stadium that begin or end at 2:15 p.m. or after, the Office of the Registrar has coordinated with departments to secure alternate locations for those classes on Aug. 29. Questions about class relocations can be emailed to academicscheduling@colorado.edu.

For reference, see the campus map.

Parking

In support of game day operations, some parking lots near the stadium will be closed. Main Campus parking lots 360, 378, 380, 384, 386, 390, 391; and motorcycle lots 398 and 399 will experience full day closures, beginning on Thursday night. Permit holders in those lots will receive a separate email detailing these closures.

Entry to all other Main Campus parking lots will close Friday, Aug. 29, at noon. Vehicles parked in these lots prior to the noon closure do not need to relocate. If arriving after noon, parking permit holders will be directed to park in Lot 327, the C4C parking structure, located off Regent Drive under the Center for Community building, or on East Campus.

If you have questions, call Parking Services at 303-735-PARK (7275) or email parkingevents@colorado.edu during business hours. Public parking information can be found on the Parking Football page.

Buff Buses

The timing of Buff Buses will be affected on all routes due to game day traffic.

From 2 p.m. until end of service, the Williams Village/Bear Creek and Stampede buses will run on their alternate football routes. The Marine Street Express will see no route changes.

Colorado Avenue lane changes

Drivers should be aware of the city of 91ɫ��’s new lane markings and lane configurations along Colorado Avenue. Red “bus only” lanes may be reserved for buses and right turns only. Please follow instructions provided by those directing event traffic.

Clear bag policy and security

Folsom Field has a clear bag policy in place. Visit CUBuffs.com for full game day info and Folsom Field policies.

To help protect pedestrians on game days, concrete barriers are used to close Colorado Avenue at Folsom Street and 18th Avenue, as well as sidewalks around Folsom Field.

Attendees will be directed to report any safety concerns by texting/calling an in-stadium number that will be displayed on Folsom Field screens during the game. 91ɫ��’s Division of Public Safety provides security support for all large events held on campus. In an emergency, please call 911 to be routed to the DPS communications center.

Show your spirit

The Aug. 29 game is a “stripe out.” Fans are encouraged to wear black or white Buffs gear based on the section they’re seated in to show their spirit in front of a national TV audience. Go Buffs!

Academic buildings will require Buff OneCard access, similar to finals week, and faculty, staff and students are encouraged to plan ahead for parking and commuting impacts.

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91ɫ�� investigating hoax after report of shots fired

Elizabeth Lock — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 02:23:29 +0000

91ɫ�� investigating hoax after report of shots fired Elizabeth Lock Mon, 08/25/2025 - 20:23

The 91ɫ�� was the latest target in a string of hoaxes directed at campuses around the country with false active-harmer reports.

The 91ɫ�� Police Department (CUPD) has determined there was and is no threat to campus.

91ɫ�� has resources available for students, faculty and staff who need support in the wake of a traumatic incident such as this.

The Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) provides free, confidential trauma-specific counseling and advocacy/support to individuals who have experienced/witnessed a potentially traumatic or life disruptive event. OVA offers 24/7 phone support at 303-492-8855.
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) provides free, confidential mental health services for students to address a variety of needs and incidents. CAPS offers 24/7 phone support at 303-492-2277.
Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) offers free and confidential counseling and consulting services to employees, both in-person and via telehealth during business hours. FSAP can be reached at www.colorado.edu/fsap or 303-492-3020.

For 91ɫ��, the Monday, Aug. 25, swatting incident resulted in a campus disruption for more than three hours beginning shortly before 5 p.m. Swatting involves a fake emergency call that activates first responders and is designed to create havoc, fear and confusion.

A shelter-in-place order was issued for all of Main Campus, including Norlin Library and Sewall Hall, where the threat was initially reported. Affected buildings were searched and cleared by 8:18 p.m. and police are investigating the incident as a hoax.

Shortly before 5 p.m., emergency services received a report from an individual who claimed to be at Sewall Hall and heard gunshots coming from the direction of Norlin Library. There were no findings of injuries or any suspect.

CUPD, the 91ɫ�� Police Department, the 91ɫ�� County Sheriff’s Office and the 91ɫ�� Fire Department responded. A heavy police presence remained in the area for the evening. The campus community will continue to notice increased visibility of CUPD officers at residence halls and Norlin Library in upcoming days.

Anyone who left personal property inside Norlin Library is being instructed to meet CUPD officers at the east-side doors of the library to be escorted inside and retrieve their belongings until 11 p.m. this evening. Norlin Library will remain closed for the night and reopen for normal business hours tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 26. If you are unable to retrieve your belongings tonight, go to the security office located at room M298 on the second floor of Norlin Library during normal business hours tomorrow.

For more information, visit 91ɫ�� Alerts. For support from the Office of Victim Assistance, Counseling and Psychiatric Services, the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program and other services, visit campus resources.

91ɫ�� was the latest target in a string of hoaxes directed at campuses around the country with false active-harmer reports. CUPD has determined there was and is no threat to campus.

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Get ready for Phish at Folsom Field July 3–5

Megan Maneval — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 16:48:34 +0000

Get ready for Phish at Folsom Field July 3–5 Megan Maneval Wed, 06/25/2025 - 10:48

The Fourth of July holiday means music on the 91ɫ�� campus. Phish takes over Folsom Field for three nights, July 3–5, the latest in a string of iconic musical acts to play Folsom Field. Last year, Folsom played host to Odesza and Tyler Childers, re-establishing the 91ɫ�� stadium as one of the best concert venues in Colorado.

Information on tickets, bag policies and parking can be found on the CU Athletics Phish event page.
See Folsom Field Concert Information for the stadium clear bag policy and a list of permitted items. All bags will be subject to search by security personnel.
Parking maps, ride share information and ADA parking information can be found on the Parking and Transportation Phish at Folsom Field event page.

Concertgoers should expect heavy traffic and allow extra time to navigate city and campus streets. Please plan ahead for crowds and traffic to best avoid delays and to get to the fun on time.

There will be no commercial vending areas, commercial parking or RV parking on the 91ɫ�� campus. Parking lots close one hour after the event has concluded. No overnight parking on campus.

Concertgoers will be directed to report any safety concerns by texting/calling an in-stadium number that will be displayed on Folsom Field screens during the show. 91ɫ��’s Division of Public Safety provides security support for all large events held on campus. In an emergency, please call 911 to be routed to the DPS communications center.

Enjoy the show!

From tickets to parking to what to bring—and what to leave at home—here’s what you need to know.

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Support from the sky: How the campus is expanding drone use

Megan Maneval — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:05:24 +0000

Support from the sky: How the campus is expanding drone use Megan Maneval Thu, 06/12/2025 - 09:05

91ɫ��’s Division of Public Safety (DPS) and its team members in Flight Operations are further developing what is already one of the most active drone programs in higher education. They’re thinking beyond supporting research and providing “eyes in the sky” for police during large events, revolutionizing the way drones are used for the public good.

Public safety leaders attended the Xponential uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) conference in May and got an eye-opening look at the wide variety of ways to leverage drone technology beyond traditional, nonrecreational use.

This includes more efficient delivery of medical supplies to people who may be hard to reach in crowded, large events, such as concerts, commencement and football games. To those in need, every second counts, and a drone dropping supplies to combat allergic reactions or other life-threatening conditions could be faster than the arrival of paramedics at crowded events.

Another benefit of drones may be particularly handy on the 91ɫ�� campus, which can experience visits from wildlife like bears. “We could quickly and easily pinpoint the location of wildlife without putting police officers and other public safety officials at risk,” said Jack Briggs, assistant vice chancellor for public safety operations.

The conversations didn't end when the conference closed. “We're following up with several contacts to explore safer, more impactful ways to integrate UAS technology into our campus operations,” Briggs said, adding, “It's exciting to think about how these tools can enhance safety protocols and provide community service.”

DPS Flight Operations will continue to play a vital role in supporting research on campus, expanding the operation of its “drone library,” which greatly enhances researchers’ ability to benefit from technology they may not otherwise be able to access or afford. The library currently has seven drones.

“We provide the training and the drones,” said Dan Hesselius, director of Flight Operations. “We are also fortunate to have locally manufactured drones that comply with an upcoming mandate called the American Security Drone Act,” he added, referencing a U.S. defense policy that will prohibit the use of Chinese-made drones in any federally funded projects. The act takes effect this coming December.

There are currently about 350 certified pilots on campus, operating some 175 drones. Approximately 30% are used in campus operations and to promote the university. The other 70% are used in scientific research.

Along with expanding drone use for community benefit, including planned participation in a community-wide Drone as First Responder program, Flight Operations also ensures compliance with university UAS policies and conducts drone operator training, having trained some 800 pilots over the years.

As a reminder, not everyone can fly drones on campus. Training and certification is required. DPS offers ground school each semester and summer. If you wish to enroll in ground school, learn more about the lending library or gain approval for on campus flight, email dps_flightops@colorado.edu.

From delivering medical supplies to pinpointing wildlife on campus, 91ɫ��'s Division of Public Safety is using drones for the greater good.

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Photo credit: Black Swift Technologies

Safety

5 things everyone should know about sexual assault

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