Safety

Simple actions to reduce Boulder Creek contamination

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 19:37:17 +0000

Simple actions to reduce Boulder Creek contamination Megan M Rogers Wed, 10/07/2026 - 13:37

At ��ñ��, we are fortunate to have beautiful waterways, including Boulder Creek, integrated into our campus ecosystem. Keeping these waterways healthy requires our collective effort.

Boulder Creek is considered an impaired waterway by the state of Colorado due to excess amounts of Escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli). While Boulder Creek is not currently considered impaired by nutrient pollution, raising awareness about nutrients is key to help prevent future impairment.

Nutrient pollution: What is it and why should we care?

Nutrient pollution occurs when excess compounds of nitrogen and phosphorus enter our waterways, often from sources like fertilizers, pet waste and improper disposal of organic material. These nutrients can be washed off lawns and gardens during rainfall or irrigation, flowing directly into storm drains and, ultimately, into our stormwater systems.

Once in the water, they can cause algal blooms, which deplete oxygen levels, harm aquatic life and degrade water quality.

How you can help reduce nutrient pollution

Fertilizer use: Avoid over-fertilizing lawns and gardens, and never apply fertilizers near storm drains.
Organic waste: Properly dispose of lawn clippings, leaves and other organic material instead of letting them wash into storm drains.
Pet waste: Always clean up after your pets. Pet waste contributes to both bacteria and nutrients that pollute stormwater.

E. coli contamination in Boulder Creek

In addition to nutrient pollution, E. coli, a common bacterium from multiple sources, also impacts Boulder Creek. Urbanization reduces the number of porous surfaces and increases contamination sources that wash into the storm sewer, promoting bacterial growth. The university actively monitors and mitigates against E. coli contamination of the creek from campus stormwater discharges.

Steps you can take to reduce E. coli loading

Pet waste: Clean up after your pets and dispose of waste properly. Boulder ordinance requires immediate cleanup.
Trash disposal: Place all garbage in waste containers, and avoid feeding wildlife, which can increase waste in waterways.
Report issues: If you see illegal dumping or clogged storm sewer inlets on campus, contact Facilities Management at 303-492-5522.

A collective effort

As a large, eco-conscious community at ��ñ��, we have a great opportunity to work together to protect our stormwater resources and embody the university’s sustainability values. By adopting simple habits like cleaning up after pets, properly disposing of waste, and being mindful of fertilizer use, each of us can make a positive impact.

No matter how small your actions may seem, they can make a big difference in preserving the health of Boulder Creek and other local waterways. Together, we can change the way we look at water quality and ensure a cleaner, safer environment for everyone.

For more information, visit the Environmental Health & Safety stormwater guidelines webpage or contact 303-492-6025 or ehs@colorado.edu.

At ��ñ��, we are fortunate to have beautiful waterways, including Boulder Creek, integrated into our campus ecosystem. Keeping these waterways healthy requires our collective effort.

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What to do if you think someone is experiencing domestic violence or intimate partner abuse

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:02:27 +0000

What to do if you think someone is experiencing domestic violence or intimate partner abuse Megan M Rogers Tue, 10/06/2026 - 07:02

Health and Wellness Services

Intimate partner abuse can take many forms. The Office of Victim Assistance shares tips and resources for supporting a friend who may be in an abusive relationship.

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4 safety tips for earlier sunsets and fall evenings

Chloe Fischer — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 19:20:02 +0000

4 safety tips for earlier sunsets and fall evenings Chloe Fischer Tue, 09/29/2026 - 13:20

Shorter days and changing fall weather can affect how you get around campus and Boulder. Learn simple ways to stay visible after dark, secure your home, avoid attracting bears and prepare for outdoor activities. Plus, find resources to help you get home safely.

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Hazing: 5 things every student should know

Chloe Fischer — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 18:53:19 +0000

Hazing: 5 things every student should know Chloe Fischer Tue, 09/22/2026 - 12:53

Health and Wellness Services

College is full of opportunities to meet new people and join groups, and sometimes the pressure to fit in can lead groups to put new members at risk of harm. Here are some things to know about hazing.

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5 things faculty, staff should know about recognizing and reporting hazing

Chloe Fischer — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:07:01 +0000

5 things faculty, staff should know about recognizing and reporting hazing Chloe Fischer Mon, 09/21/2026 - 09:07

Faculty and staff can play an important role in recognizing and preventing hazing. Knowing what to look for and what to do when something seems wrong can help you respond early and connect students with the right resources.

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5 things everyone should know about sexual assault

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000

5 things everyone should know about sexual assault Megan M Rogers Fri, 09/04/2026 - 00:00

Health and Wellness Services

Sexual assault is all too common and can have lasting impacts on individuals and communities. Here are five things everyone should know about sexual assault.

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Tips for talking about and preventing suicide

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 12:50:37 +0000

Tips for talking about and preventing suicide Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/03/2026 - 06:50

Health and Wellness Services

It can be hard to know what to say or do when you're worried about a friend, roommate, classmate or another student. Here are some ways you can help your fellow Buffs. You don't need to know for sure that someone is thinking about suicide before you check in—and you don’t have to handle the situation on your own.

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��ñ�� alerts test set for Sept. 8: What to know

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:30:21 +0000

��ñ�� alerts test set for Sept. 8: What to know Megan M Rogers Wed, 09/02/2026 - 06:30

��ñ�� will conduct a test of its emergency alert system at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The test is part of the university’s ongoing emergency preparedness efforts and fulfills federal Clery Campus Safety Act requirements.

��ñ�� ñ�� alerts

The university issues three types of alerts depending on the type of incident:

CU Emergency Alert: Issued when there is a confirmed immediate threat to the safety of those on campus, near campus in areas of high student populations or if there is a change to the university’s operating status due to weather or other emergency conditions.

CU Safety Alert: Also referred to as a “timely warning”, safety alerts are issued when a crime on or near campus requires increased community awareness of an ongoing threat, such as robbery, aggravated assault, motor vehicle theft or other criminal activity.

CU Advisory: Issued for non-emergency events or incidents on campus, emergency and non-emergency events off campus that could impact campus (such as power outages, road or building impacts affecting campus) and police activity near campus.

How to receive ��ñ�� alerts

In order to make sure you stay informed, it’s important to know how to receive each type of alert. All alerts, no matter the type, are always posted to alerts.colorado.edu and pushed out via the ��ñ�� Safe app, which students, faculty and staff can access by downloading the app, logging in using their IdentiKey credentials and enrolling in push notifications.

��ñ�� students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled in email notifications for emergency and safety alerts. Emergency alerts are also issued via text message to students, faculty and staff who have enrolled in text alerts, via social media and desktop alerts.

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

��ñ�� alerts are available in multiple languages. In order to receive alerts in your preferred language, students may update their preferences as part of preregistration each semester and faculty and staff can change their language settings any time in the MyCUInfo portal.

If you believe you should have received the Sept. 8 test alert but do not, contact the Division of Public Safety’s Emergency Management team for assistance.

Learn more

For more information about ��ñ�� alerts and emergency preparedness resources, visit the ��ñ�� Division of Public Safety website. For additional emergency information, follow @CUBoulderAlerts and @CUBoulderDPS on X.

Campus officials will test the ��ñ�� alerts system at approximately 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, to ensure campus emergency notification systems are working properly. Students, faculty and staff should verify their contact information before the test.

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Having friends over? Plan ahead and avoid drama

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 18:36:33 +0000

Having friends over? Plan ahead and avoid drama Megan M Rogers Tue, 09/01/2026 - 12:36

Want to host a party without worrying about noise complaints or expensive tickets? Register your party with Off-Campus Life and the Boulder Police Department.

Whether it's a few people hanging out or a bigger party, take a few minutes to register your party with Off-Campus Life and the Boulder Police Department. It's free and can help you avoid tickets while being a good neighbor.

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5 tips for Labor Day weekend

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0000

5 tips for Labor Day weekend Megan M Rogers Tue, 09/01/2026 - 00:00

Labor Day is Monday, Sept. 7, and ��ñ�� offices will be closed for the university holiday. Whether you're staying in Boulder, heading outdoors or hanging out with friends, plan ahead for the long weekend.

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Safety

Simple actions to reduce Boulder Creek contamination

Nutrient pollution: What is it and why should we care?

How you can help reduce nutrient pollution

E. coli contamination in Boulder Creek

Steps you can take to reduce E. coli loading

A collective effort

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What to do if you think someone is experiencing domestic violence or intimate partner abuse

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4 safety tips for earlier sunsets and fall evenings

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Hazing: 5 things every student should know

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Nutrient pollution: What is it and why should we care?

How you can help reduce nutrient pollution

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Steps you can take to reduce E. coli loading

A collective effort

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��ñ�� alerts test set for Sept. 8: What to know

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