I. Purpose

This policy supports the university’s goal of creating and maintaining safety on campus for students, faculty, staff, and guests. The policy sets expectations for how the University of Colorado Boulder manages and monitors access to all campus buildings - including academic and nonacademic buildings and normal and after-hours access. The policy also defines responsibilities and authority regarding building electronic access control and physical key issuance during varying operations (daily, threat, closures, etc.)  

II. Policy

To maintain the personal safety of staff, students, faculty, and guests, secure the physical property and tangible assets of the University, and protect the campus buildings from unauthorized intrusion, the following building access control policy is to be followed.

A. Authority

This policy grants the authority to make access decisions for the CU Boulder campus to the University Safety Working Group.  The University Safety Working Group or delegate will have representation from CUPD, Infrastructure and Sustainability, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs. This group is charged with making decisions about what buildings will have public access and will determine open hours for those buildings.  Buildings designated as Special Use may, upon approval, set their own public access hours.

a. Responsibilities

  • CUPD – Responsible for setting the safety and security measures on campus.
  • Infrastructure and Sustainability – Responsible for the overall administration of the University access systems for Administrative, Academic, Research and Support buildings.
  • Student Affairs Integrated Security – Responsible for the overall administration of the access systems for Student Affairs administrative buildings, housing, and dining facilities.
  • Academic Affairs – Responsible for ensuring that access control protocols meet the needs of the academic and research mission of the campus.
  • The University Safety Working Group will consult with additional subject matter experts on a case-by-case basis.

B. Normal Access

a. Academic

i. Classroom Buildings

  • ​Most classroom buildings are open to the public during business hours.
  • Outside of normal business hours, access to classroom buildings will require a Buff OneCard for access.
  • Business hours are determined by the University of Colorado Boulder Building Access Control Committee.

ii. Secure Buildings

  • Secure buildings require Buff OneCard access at all times. 
  • The University of Colorado Boulder University Safety Working Group is responsible for determining what buildings fall into this category.
  • Some buildings are open but may have secured areas within them. Access to secured buildings and secured areas within buildings must follow the standard procedures set forth by the campus.

b.Campus Operations

i. Administrative and Research Buildings

c. Special Use Facilities

C.After Hours Access

a. Academic

i. Classroom Buildings

  • After-hours access to classroom buildings must be approved through an authorized individual (for example: dean, chair, or director of the respective college, school, institute, or administrative department).
  • After-hours access to classroom buildings will not be granted to anyone without appropriate identification and approved access if the person forgets their Buff OneCard or key.
  • After-hours access to classroom buildings will be required to access buildings during campus holidays, campus closures, and after normal building operating hours.

ii. Secure Buildings

  • After-hours access to secure buildings or areas must be approved through an authorized individual (for example: dean, chair, or director of the respective college, school, institute, or administrative department).
  • After-hours access to secure buildings will not be granted to anyone without their Buff OneCard.
  • After-hours access to secure buildings will be required to access buildings during campus holidays, campus closures, and after normal building operating hours.

b.Campus Operations

i. Administrative and Research Buildings

  • After-hours access to administrative buildings must be approved through an authorized individual (for example: dean, chair director of the respective college, school, institute, or administrative department).
  • ​After-hours access will not be granted to anyone without appropriate identification and approved access if the person forgets their Buff OneCard or key.

D. Emergency Access

  • During an emergency, the Chief of Police at the University of Colorado Boulder or their delegated Command staff representative has the final authority over any decisions regarding access to buildings owned by the University of Colorado. No one else has the authority to request or order that a building or buildings be locked during hours when they would normally be open or to issue a shelter-in-place order.
  • All CU affiliates should follow the guidance sent out via emergency alert notifications.

E. Physical Keys

  • All physical keys to the University of Colorado Boulder facilities remain the property of the University.
  • Key liaisons must have written authorization following the standard campus procedures with Chair or Director and Dean or Associate Vice Chancellor approval.
  • All physical keys to university buildings and facilities are to be issued by and returned to facilities management or student affairs.
  • It is a violation of this policy for any key holder to transfer a key to someone else (other than an authorized key liaison).
  • It is a violation of this policy for someone to duplicate or try to duplicate a key, lend a key to someone else, or let the key be used for any purpose other than official authorized University business.

F. Buff OneCards

  • Buff OneCards remain the property of the University of Colorado Boulder.
  • Buff OneCards are not to be distributed or shared outside of the card owner.
  • Access to buildings via the Buff OneCard is determined at the departmental level. Requests to add or remove access should be done so at the departmental level.          

III. Definitions

  • Buff OneCard – University ID and access card given to Students, Faculty, and Staff
  • CUUF – Campus Use of University Facilities policy and procedures
  • Key Liaisons – Individuals chosen by their department who are responsible for the physical keys and access within their department
  • University Safety Working Group– Group is charged with making decisions about what buildings will have public access and will determine open hours for those buildings. 
  • Key Liaisons – Individuals chosen by their department who are authorized following the standard campus procedures with Chair or Director and Dean or Associate Vice Chancellor approval.

IV. Link to Related Procedures

Building Access Control Procedures

V. Link to Related Policies

Campus Use of University Facilities (CUFF)

Effective Date

January 1, 2024

Approved By

Philip P. DiStefano, Chancellor

Policy Owner

Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Safety