COVID-19 campus updates: April 1 edition

Through the spring semester, campus officials are providing weekly updates through CU Boulder Today and weekly Campus Q&As.

Boulder County remains in Level Yellow: Concern

Boulder County remains in Level Yellow: Concern on Colorado’s COVID-19 dial, which the state updated to version 3.0 on Wednesday, March 24. 

Update on fall 2021

On Monday, March 29, campus leaders announced plans for the fall term. The fall 2021 semester will mark a return to a more traditional in-person experience, and plans include:

• The fall academic calendar will be back to normal, including fall break. Fall semester classes will begin Monday, Aug. 23. 
• The majority of courses will be in person.
• Residence halls will be near full capacity, with some spaces reserved for isolation.
• We believe, informed by the guidance of our Pandemic Response Office and faculty experts, that the progress of the vaccine rollout and the downward trend of COVID-19 cases will make such a transition safe.

Read details on key dates, campus life plans, student support and public health plans for fall 2021.

Mask mandate

The Boulder County mask mandate remains in effect with no expiration date at this time.

Phase 2 COVID-19 vaccine distribution begins April 2, CU to follow state eligibility order 

Individuals in phase 2 of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan will be eligible to receive vaccines starting Friday, April 2. See the full COVID-19 vaccine distribution table for information about the state phases.

• Phase 2 includes the general public.
• As of March 31, 9,632 faculty, staff and students have signed up for phase 1B.4 through the CU COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility and Status Update Form.
• As of March 31, there have been 8,979 faculty, staff and students that have signed up as part of phase 2.
• In an effort to support student-facing faculty and staff and per the governor’s request to prioritize earlier phases, CU Boulder will continue to offer appointments to people who complete the campus form according to the eligibility order outlined by the state.
• Complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility and Status Update Form to be added to the vaccine distribution list at CU Boulder.

Becoming eligible and completing the form does not mean faculty, staff and students will immediately be contacted to make an appointment. If you are able to receive a vaccine through your primary care provider or other health care facility before you are notified by CU Boulder, you are encouraged to take advantage of your first opportunity.

State opening community vaccination sites

CU Boulder currently receives a very limited supply of vaccine doses. CU affiliates can also get the COVID-19 vaccine through community vaccination clinics opening up throughout the state.

CU Boulder faculty, staff and students are encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine at the first available opportunity.

Six community vaccination sites are available in addition to opportunities available through medical providers and the U.S. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.

Community Vaccination Sites

Adams County—Dick’s Sporting Goods Park 

Sunday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Register for Adams County

Call: 720-263-5737

Denver County—Ball Arena

Schedule: Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Register for Denver County

Call: TBD

El Paso County—Broadmoor World Arena

Friday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Register for El Paso County

Call: 720-263-5737

Mesa County—Grand Junction Convention Center

Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m

Register for Mesa County

Larimer County—The Ranch Events Complex 

Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Register for Larimer County

Pueblo County—Colorado State Fairgrounds  

Friday to Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Register for Pueblo County

Call: 720-263-5737

Vaccine guidance

• The university will follow federal and state guidance related to requirements for vaccines. At this time, all of the COVID-19 vaccines are under emergency use authorization and there are no requirements to get the vaccine.
• All faculty, staff and students are strongly encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The university will continue to offer it based on supply.
• Four reasons to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Vaccine safety and information from Medical Services.
• Answers to common vaccine questions.

Notification of COVID-19 vaccine type

As CU Boulder faculty, staff and students become eligible, they will be notified of the specific vaccine that will be administered in their appointment scheduling invitation email. 

For two-dose vaccines:

• Once the first dose is administered, you will be automatically scheduled for the second dose of the vaccine at the same time: three weeks later for a Pfizer vaccine and four weeks later for a Moderna vaccine. 
• When scheduling your first vaccine appointment, please make sure you can also attend your appointment for your second dose. If you miss your second dose appointment, we can’t determine how quickly you will have another opportunity to receive a second dose through CU Boulder. 
• Those who are unable to make an appointment or who miss/cancel their first or second appointment will need to wait for the next vaccine availability. You will be automatically notified each time vaccines arrive at CU Boulder until you receive a vaccine or you opt out of being notified about vaccine opportunities on the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility and Status Update Form.

COVID-19 vaccine sign-up form

Students, faculty and staff interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine through CU Boulder can sign up using the CU Boulder COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility and Status Update Form. The form must be completed to be added to the campus vaccine eligibility list. If you have received your vaccine elsewhere and have signed up before, please update your status on the form and opt out. 

Appointment availability, process

When a vaccine shipment is received, eligible CU Boulder faculty, staff and students who have signed up with the eligibility form will be notified through their colorado.edu email account. The number of eligible individuals who will receive an invitation to schedule an appointment will be based on the number of vaccines received. Vaccine appointments at CU Boulder are limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Those who are unable to make an appointment during the allotted time frame or who miss/cancel their appointment will need to wait for the next vaccine availability.
• Once you receive an initial notification to make an appointment, you will continue to receive appointment eligibility/scheduling prompts each time vaccines arrive at CU Boulder until you receive a vaccine on campus or you opt out of the notifications through the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility and Status Update Form.

COVID-19 vaccination status and monitoring testing requirements

If you are required to complete weekly monitoring testing based on your role with CU Boulder, you will continue to be required to participate regardless of when/if you are fully vaccinated.

Mobile testing site temporarily offers community testing

In response to concerns about the spread of COVID-19 following the mass shooting at the Table Mesa King Soopers, CU Boulder is offering COVID-19 monitoring tests to members of the community. The free community testing will be available at the mobile testing site Monday, March 29 through Friday, April 9. 

While open to anybody, the testing option is intended for anyone who was present during large gatherings in the past week or feels at risk of getting COVID-19 due to what occurred. The mobile site can accommodate up to 375 tests per day for community members.

• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Pleasant Street
• Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Athens North, 1855 Athens St., in parking lot 131

Campus Q&A 

• The Campus Q&As are held at noon each Tuesday and continue throughout the spring semester.