Wildfires burning along the Colorado Front Range in Boulder, Larimer and Jefferson counties have impacted hundreds of CU Boulder students, faculty and staff. Our campus is outreaching to impacted members of our community who live and work in these areas to offer support and resources.

For many in our campus community, these extreme weather events hit close to home and feel all too frequent. These traumatic events may be difficult to process, whether or not you’re directly impacted by this season’s fires. 

“We are monitoring the wildfires affecting the Front Range, and I want to express my gratitude to the first responders fighting tirelessly to battle these blazes,” said CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz. “We are working to ensure everyone in our campus community has access to the resources and support they need.”

Your health and safety are our top priority, and you’re encouraged to seek out support from a close friend or confidant, or from one of our professional staff on campus:

• The Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) is available to all CU Boulder community members (students, staff and faculty) directly or witnessing traumatic and/or life disruptive events, like fires, and provides free, confidential trauma-specific counseling, advocacy, and information. OVA's phone lines is available 24/7 at 303-492-8855. 
• Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) provides free, confidential mental health services for students. CAPS's phone line is also available 24/7 at 303-492-2277.
• The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) offers counseling and consulting services to employees, both in-person and via telehealth. FSAP can be reached at 303-492-3020.

Faculty and staff who have been impacted by the fires and are unable to perform their ordinary work responsibilities should notify their supervisors to make the appropriate arrangements for temporary work arrangements or administrative leave. If you need additional support from Human Resources, please contact 303-492-6475 or email ucbleavequestions@colorado.edu. 

How to help 

For those who want to donate to people in need during this time, you can directly support CU Boulder community members by donating to the Staff & Faculty Emergency Fund or the Student Emergency Fund. You can also make donations to the Basic Needs Center.

Beware of possible giving scams. These tips from the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office can help you identify ways to give safely and legally. The Office of Information Security has more information to keep you safe online.

Much of the Front Range, including Boulder County, is in a moderate to severe drought. A long season with no precipitation and low humidity have combined to make this situation an extremely dangerous one. Please recreate responsibly and remain vigilant of the fire danger forecast.

CU Boulder is continuing to monitor these wildfires and will provide updates on other support measures as necessary.