Campus Community

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder earns platinum status for 'bicycle-friendly university'

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 21:44:43 +0000

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder earns platinum status for 'bicycle-friendly university' Megan M Rogers Thu, 01/15/2026 - 14:44

Big news for Buffs who love to ride: �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder has been awarded platinum status as a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists. This is the highest honor in the program and recognizes our campus as one of the best places in the country to bike.

The league’s latest round of awards celebrates universities that are stepping up: listening to feedback, investing in infrastructure and building partnerships to make biking safer, easier and more accessible for everyone. And that’s exactly what �鶹��Ѱ��has been doing.

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder is now one of only 10 platinum-level schools in the entire country out of 204 participating universities. That makes this achievement truly exceptional and hard to earn.

By the numbers

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder has more than 7,000 bike parking spaces across campus, making it easy for riders to find a spot and keep rolling.
On a typical day, thousands of bikes travel through campus—so many that bikes outnumber cars in most areas of campus!
Each year, the Environmental Center's Bicycle Program refurbishes around 100 abandoned or impounded bikes for re-use by students.

From miles of bike paths and secure parking to repair stations and education programs, �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder has worked hard to make biking a core part of campus life. Efforts include:

Better infrastructure: Dedicated bike lanes, covered and secured bike parking, improved traffic crossings and more bike racks
Community support: Safety campaigns, events, trainings and partnerships with local organizations
Convenience: Buff Bike programs, free Boulder BCycle use and on-campus bicycle maintenance stations

Why does this matter?

Biking helps reduce carbon emissions, promotes health and keeps our campus moving. Earning platinum status shows that �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder is leading the way in sustainable transportation.

“This award reflects our campus commitment to sustainability and mobility,” said Brandon Smith, assistant director for sustainable transportation at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder. “Biking is not just a transportation option; it’s part of our culture and our vision for a greener future.”

Being recognized as a Platinum Bicycle Friendly University is a powerful example of how �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder turns sustainability values into real-world action.

“Transportation is one of the biggest drivers of emissions, so shifting trips toward biking and transit is critical to meeting our climate goals and improving quality of life,” said Andrew Mayock, vice chancellor for sustainability at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder.

Want to learn more about the Bicycle Friendly University program? Check out the full list of awardees at bikeleague.org.

Big news for Buffs who love to ride: �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder has been awarded platinum status as a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists. This is the highest honor in the program and recognizes the campus as one of the best places in the country to bike.

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�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder breaks ground on chilled water line project to support campus sustainability

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 22:16:44 +0000

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder breaks ground on chilled water line project to support campus sustainability Megan M Rogers Wed, 01/14/2026 - 15:16

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder has officially broken ground on a major infrastructure project to install a new chilled water line connecting the Main Campus to Code Talker Hall and the North Boulder Creek (NBC) neighborhood. This multi-phase project will enhance energy efficiency, support future campus infrastructure and help the university meet its long-term sustainability goals.

Project overview

The chilled water line will provide reliable, efficient cooling to Code Talker Hall and future buildings in the NBC area. The project is part of a broader utilities upgrade that includes improvements to heating water and medium voltage electrical systems. By electrifying chillers and centralizing cooling, �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder is reducing its carbon footprint and preparing for future campus needs.

Construction timeline and phasing

Work begins Jan. 5 at the Code Talker Hall site, with the east side of Lot 145 serving as a staging area. Each phase of construction will be completed before the next begins, minimizing disruption and maintaining access wherever possible. The project will use a combination of open trenching and boring, including a major bore operation starting in March from Lot 177 on the south side of Newton Court.

As construction progresses, portions of Folsom Street near Colorado Avenue will be impacted, with equipment occupying the far-right southbound lane and turn lanes temporarily combined. Two-way traffic will be maintained on Colorado and Folsom throughout the project, and a portion of Lot 360 will be used for staging during later phases.

The current schedule anticipates completion of the main line by June 2026, with a temporary chiller in place to ensure uninterrupted cooling for Code Talker Hall until the new lines are completed.

What to expect

Parking: The east side of Lot 145 and portions of Lot 177 and Lot 360 will be used for construction staging. Some parking spaces will be temporarily unavailable.
Traffic: Expect lane shifts and combined turn lanes on Folsom near Colorado Avenue. Two-way traffic will be maintained on Colorado and Folsom.
Access: Construction will be phased to maintain access to campus facilities and minimize disruption.
Communication: Regular updates will be provided via the campus Cone Zone website and campus signage.

Sustainability and campus impact

This project is a key step in �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder’s commitment to sustainability, resource alignment and commitment to sustainability and resource alignment. By investing in modern, efficient infrastructure, the university is ensuring reliable utilities for current and future generations.

Stay informed

For more information, including detailed phasing plans and updates, visit the project website.

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder has broken ground on a new chilled water line project that will enhance campus sustainability and improve energy efficiency in the North Boulder Creek area.

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Campus coffee and tea shops to fuel your semester

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:52:39 +0000

Campus coffee and tea shops to fuel your semester Megan M Rogers Wed, 01/14/2026 - 07:52

Looking for a place on campus to connect, unwind or just feel at home? �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder’s coffee and tea shops are more than just places to grab a drink—they're where campus community happens. Explore different locations and discover your favorite spot.

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How to conquer your to-do list in record time: 4 tips from an archivist

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:27:34 +0000

How to conquer your to-do list in record time: 4 tips from an archivist Megan M Rogers Wed, 01/14/2026 - 07:27

The �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Archives surveyed 1,847 collections in under a year, improving the efficiency with which archivists can make collections visible and accessible to researchers. Behind the work was a simple, disciplined strategy—get tips for applying the same approach to your own life to conquer your to-do list like an archivist.

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Employees can start the retirement process with new Retirement Ready Application

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 22:06:00 +0000

Employees can start the retirement process with new Retirement Ready Application Megan M Rogers Tue, 01/13/2026 - 15:06

A new OnBase form allows employees to quickly and smoothly begin their retirement process. The Retirement Ready Application lets �鶹��Ѱ��employees who are within three months of retirement share their information with the benefits team so they can receive personalized benefits guidance.

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Know key academic dates for the spring semester

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 21:42:50 +0000

Know key academic dates for the spring semester Megan M Rogers Tue, 01/13/2026 - 14:42

With academic calendar changes that began in the fall at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder, you can mark your calendar and track key dates for the spring semester.

Monday	Jan. 19	Martin Luther King Jr. Day university holiday
Thursday	Feb. 26	Midsemester reading day
Monday–Friday	March 16–20	Spring break
Friday	April 24	The last day of classes—acts as a Monday to equalize MTWR class days across the semester
Monday–Friday	April 27–May 1	Final exams
Saturday	May 2	Commencement
Friday–Sunday	May 1–3	Unit-level recognition events—see schedule posted on the campus commencement website

Note: Colorado Law follows a different academic calendar.

With academic calendar changes that began in the fall and continue this spring semester, mark your calendar and track key dates.

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Health hacks for high elevations

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 21:00:30 +0000

Health hacks for high elevations Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 01/13/2026 - 14:00

Health and Wellness Services

There are many ways to take in Colorado's great outdoors. Here's what you need to know about staying healthy and prepared while making the most of the season.

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Start the year with academic technology training

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:32:06 +0000

Start the year with academic technology training Megan M Rogers Tue, 01/13/2026 - 08:32

For your Canvas courses, learn more about building assignments, integrating CUClickers and implementing advanced tools like the Cidi Labs DesignPLUS suite—with live and on-demand trainings offered by OIT.

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Gemmill Library is all new. 6 reasons it's your spring study hub

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:28:12 +0000

Gemmill Library is all new. 6 reasons it's your spring study hub Megan M Rogers Tue, 01/13/2026 - 08:28

Gemmill Library reopened on Jan. 8. Grab a study space, browse the collection and make use of all the University Libraries have to offer in this new and updated space.

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Test of alert system set for Jan. 20: What you need to know

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:24:50 +0000

Test of alert system set for Jan. 20: What you need to know Megan M Rogers Tue, 01/13/2026 - 07:24

As part of the continuous assessment of emergency notification protocols and procedures, campus officials will test the �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder alerts system at approximately 12:15 p.m. (MST) on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

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, push notifications to the �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Safe app and website announcements. �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder conducts alert tests each semester to ensure the university stays current with best practices and maintains readiness to respond in case of emergencies.

Before the Jan. 20 test, students, faculty and staff members should check their Buff Portal or MyCUInfo accounts to make sure their contact information is up to date.

The information below 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 �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder alerts

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Safe app

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder also offers the �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Safe app, a centralized place to receive campus alerts, access safety tools and learn how the university communicates during emergencies.

The app includes an in-app Safety Toolbox with alerts training videos and resources that explain �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder’s three levels of alerts: Emergency Alerts to keep you safe, Safety Alerts to help you be aware and �鶹��Ѱ��Advisories to keep you informed.

Community members are encouraged to visit the resources page to better understand alert types, what actions to take and how the university shares critical safety information. The �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Safe app is available for download on iOS and Android.

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. �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder employees can now opt to receive alerts in languages other than English. This service is also available to students.

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

Affiliates who are not students, faculty or staff and do not have a �鶹��Ѱ��email domain can opt in to receive �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder text alerts by texting “cuaffiliate” to 67283. Registration expires one year after opting in and must be renewed annually. You may text “STOP” at any time to 67283 to be removed. As a member of �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder 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 more of the available communication methods. Text messaging is the preferred method, as it reaches the most individuals in the least amount of time.

After the scheduled test, if you believe you should have received an alert and did not, or if you need help signing up for the system, please email the Emergency Management team.

What are �鶹��Ѱ��Emergency Alerts?

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder issues emergency notifications, called �鶹��Ѱ��Emergency Alerts, to the campus community when there is a confirmed immediate threat to the safety of those on or near campus, particularly in areas with high student populations.

Such threats may include an active harmer, a natural disaster, severe weather or other time-sensitive life safety concerns. �鶹��Ѱ��Emergency Alerts can also be used in the event of campus closures or delayed starts.

Other notifications: �鶹��Ѱ��Safety Alerts and �鶹��Ѱ��Advisories

The university uses three levels of emergency notification.

In addition to �鶹��Ѱ��Emergency Alerts, campus officials issue �鶹��Ѱ��Safety Alerts (timely warnings) in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

For non-immediate threats or incidents that may impact daily life on campus, �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder issues �鶹��Ѱ��Advisories.

What about off-campus emergencies?

Campus community members who live off campus or spend significant time off campus may want to stay informed about nearby incidents and safety concerns. This article explains how the university responds to off-campus incidents in areas with high student populations and provides guidance on staying informed.

The city of Boulder and Boulder County distribute emergency alerts through a system called BOCOAlert (Everbridge). Community members with Boulder addresses are automatically enrolled. Those who live outside Boulder but want to receive alerts must sign up separately.

The university encourages all community members to follow @CUBoulderAlerts and @CUBoulderPolice on X (formerly Twitter). The �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Police Department is part of the Division of Public Safety.

The Boulder Police Department and Boulder Fire-Rescue also maintain social media channels for nonemergency information. Local news media can also be a reliable resource, particularly when misinformation is circulating.

For more information about emergency management at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder, visit the Emergency Management website or email the team. Emergency Management also provides a list of common emergency definitions, which is linked on the �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Alerts website.

Campus officials will conduct a �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder alerts test, checking the university's systems for sending text messages, emails, social media posts, computer desktop alerts and website announcements in the event of emergencies. Learn more.

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