With recent incidents occurring on and near campus, safety is at the forefront of many conversations, and we want to ensure our campus community has the resources it needs. 

CU Boulder and the city of Boulder are committed to the safety of all community members, on campus and off. The university functions as a “city within a city,” supporting a population of approximately 38,000 students and 12,000 faculty and staff members in the heart of Boulder.

Our CU Police Department serves campus 24/7 by foot, bike, motorcycle and vehicle, and works diligently with the university community and surrounding agencies to ensure a prompt and coordinated law enforcement response. Campus community members are also encouraged to continue to follow preventative safety practices, which may include using the free mobile safety app, utilizing services such as CU NightRide, walking in groups and, as always, being aware of your surroundings and reporting any concerns immediately by calling or texting 911 or calling CUPD’s non-emergency line at 303-492-6666.

As part of the Division of Public Safety, CUPD is one component of our holistic approach to safety. The division’s Department of Threat Assessment also works to safeguard our students, faculty and staff through continuous monitoring and mitigation. All DPS services play an important role, integrating public safety tools and resources to meet the evolving needs of the campus community. 

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 CU Boulder Safe2Tell. When concerns are reported, they are evaluated and addressed through tailored processes depending on the involved populations.

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 add your mobile phone number to receive text alerts by going to the Buff Portal or your MyCUInfo portal. 

Community members also have options for receiving information about emergencies. Review the three levels of CU alerts and notifications, bookmark the CU Boulder Alerts website and follow @CUBoulderPolice on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. 

When emergencies occur off campus in areas of high student populations, and information can be confirmed with the lead agency, such as the Boulder Police Department, those registered to receive the university’s emergency notifications will receive updates. 

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