Frequently Asked Questions

No, beginning Monday, March 7, masks will be optional on campus. An instructor should not require everyone to wear masks to attend class. Instructors are free to wear face coverings and request social distancing (i.e. ask that students not sit in the front row). If faculty/staff members need workplace modifications because of masks being optional (i.e. requesting a larger room for additional distancing), they should contact their supervisor/chair and/or submit a request via a form on the Human Resources website.

Yes, in smaller settings where close interaction is likely, a student, faculty, or staff member may ask others to wear a mask. Possible scenarios include instructor office hours and individual meetings among university staff. We ask everyone to be respectful of others’ requests and comply by wearing a face covering.

Individuals can continue to wear a mask if they prefer. This should not be discouraged. The campus has additional N-95 and KN95 masks available. 

Even with their own mask, some employees may continue to feel that because of their personal situation they need a workplace adjustment. For example, an employee who is immunocompromised or who has a child under the age of 5 may feel the need to request a change their physical work space, a change to how they engage with the public, or a request for a larger classroom to provide more space between an instructor and students.

If an employee would like to request an adjustment, we encourage that they first work with their supervisor/chair, if possible. Associate Vice Chancellor Teri Engelke is available to talk with supervisors on how they can support their employees and provide workplace adjustments, and can be reached at teri.engelke@ucdenver.edu. Human Resources will conduct outreach and see if they can assist in finding ways to address the concerns.

Mask mandates are driven by physical location. Dual campus employees must follow the guidelines of the campus where they work.

Beginning Monday, March 7, masks will be optional on campus, regardless of vaccination status. However, we highly encourage unvaccinated individuals to wear masks to help protect the community. Unvaccinated individuals will continue to be required to participate in weekly COVID testing at this time.

No. Beginning Monday, March 7, masks will be optional. Individuals can continue to wear a mask if they prefer. This should not be discouraged. If this results in communication problems, individuals are expected to be patient and provide opportunities for engagement.

Our campus policies align with CDC guidance for individuals who are exhibiting symptoms or have been exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19.

Self-Report if you:

Have been boosted OR completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 5 months OR completed the primary series of Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the last 2 months

• Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
• Test on day 5, if possible.
• If you are up to date on your vaccinations, you will be cleared automatically by the Contact Tracing Team.

If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home.

Self-Report and quarantine if you:

Are Unvaccinated OR Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 5 months ago and are not boosted OR Completed the primary series of Johnson & Johnson over 2 months ago and are not boosted.

• Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
• Test on day 5 if possible.
• The Contact Tracing Team will help you get clearance to return to campus.

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

*Please complete a self-report form if you are symptomatic, positive for COVID-19, or been exposed to COVID-19 and have questions about protocols or need support.

Yes. If you test positive for COVID-19, please DO NOT come to campus, inform CU Denver using this form and wait for the Contact Tracing Team to contact you. Inform your instructors or supervisor.

CU Denver is following guidance specific to higher education from the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We are also consulting with the Colorado School of Public Health, CU Environmental Health and Safety and local public health agencies and monitoring data on COVID-19 trends.

Campus and AHEC cleaning crews are responsible for cleaning and disinfecting common spaces, such as lobbies, elevators, bathrooms, and hallways. Individual units are responsible for cleaning unit proprietary spaces, such as conference rooms, before and after each use. It is a good idea for units to post cleaning logs so that space users can record when the room was last cleaned.

Individuals are responsible for cleaning and disinfecting their own workspaces, such as desk surfaces and computer keyboards. It is good practice to clean and disinfect your workspace when you come into work and when you leave at the end of your day.

More information about campus cleaning protocols can be found here.

Mental Health and Related Assistance for Students, Faculty, or Staff:

• You at CU Denver can connect you with many excellent online resources.
• The CU Denver Student and Community Counseling Center provides counseling and mental health services via telehealth and online video calls from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Call 303-315-7270.
• The CU Denver Psychology Clinic provides telehealth psychotherapy services. To receive a callback about scheduling an initial appointment, call 303-315-7080 and leave a voicemail with your contact details.
• The Health Center at Auraria has counselors who can help with undue stress or anxiety, for no charge. Call 303-615-9999 and schedule a consultation.
• Colorado Crisis Services provides 24/7 free, confidential, immediate support for any mental health or substance abuse concern. Call 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255 to speak to a trained professional.
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can help you find treatment options for substance use disorders.
• The Phoenix Center at Auraria provides free and confidential assistance to survivors of interpersonal violence (relationship violence, sexual violence, and stalking), as well as their friends, families, and concerned others. The full range of the victim services program will be accessible while the campus is operating remotely. Confidential appointments will be conducted via Zoom or telephone and can be scheduled here. The confidential helpline remains available 24/7 at 303-556-2255.
• The Arthur and Helen E. Johnson Colorado Depression Center, operated by CU Anschutz, offers telehealth services. 

For CU Employees Specifically:

• The Real Help Hotline  provides access to professional counselors who can provide immediate crisis counseling or help you find additional local resources It’s a free and confidential service and it’s available 24/7.
• The Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP) offers free confidential counseling session by appointment on a range of issues, from addiction to stress and grief. Call 1-800-821-8154 for questions or appointments.
• See additional resources on our Human Resources page by clicking on the “Crisis/Mental Health Resources” tab.

Faculty and students conduct basic disinfecting of classrooms before and after classes. Each classroom has disinfecting supplies in the space. Students are responsible for disinfecting their chair and desk while faculty are responsible for disinfecting the faculty area. Classrooms are cleaned and disinfected at the end of the day.

RTD vehicles and trains are cleaned daily, including wiping down handrails and other high-touch surfaces with an industrial-strength disinfectant/antibacterial cleaner. According to RTD, the agency has purchased additional sanitation products and disinfectants, including electrostatic cleaning devices. Face coverings are required on RTD trains and buses.

No. We are, however, continuing to monitor the aggregate vaccination data to ensure our community is as protected as possible. If we identify large trends of individuals who are not vaccinated, we will implement policy changes for that population as needed.

No. This is confidential health information protected by FERPA. We are, however, continuing to monitor the aggregate vaccination data to ensure our community is as protected as possible. If we identify large trends of individuals who are not vaccinated, we will implement policy changes for that population as needed.

All students visiting the CU Denver campus are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines.

The Health Center at Auraria offers COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots. Additionally, local pharmacies and healthcare providers offer COVID vaccinations that may be more conveniently located.

Students, faculty, and staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to come to campus. Individuals are only required to get a booster if they are eligible (i.e. six months after previous Pfizer and Moderna vaccination or two months from J&J vaccination). Because most students, faculty, and staff have granted CU Denver access to the state COVID-19 vaccination database, for most people, no action is required to confirm booster status. 

Here are a few details:

• Students who are fully online are not required to be vaccinated and need to send an e-mail including your full name and student ID to Vaccineexemption@ucdenver.edu to verify your status. 
• Individuals are expected to get the booster when they are eligible, not before. If you have been ill with COVID-19 and been advised not to get a booster for a period of time, please contact our contact tracing team at covid.team@cuanschutz.edu so we can note your delayed eligibility. 
• You must get your booster within 30 days of becoming eligible. For example, if you are eligible Feb. 14, you should get your booster by March 14. 
• You can continue to receive an exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical and non-medical reasons. If you previously submitted an exemption, you do not need to submit another one for the booster. Unvaccinated individuals must get tested weekly and wear a face covering on campus at all times. 
• If you received your booster outside of Colorado, you may upload your booster vaccine card on the vaccine verification form or you may email it to vaccineexemption@ucdenver.edu.

Testing is free and you can schedule same-day appointments at the 5th Street Garage. Other sites for testing are available from your healthcare provider and COVIDCheckColorado. 

You may also request at-home tests from CDPHE and federal government. Although they have limitations and shouldn’t be used for diagnosis, they offer a level of information and protection.

If you submit for a vaccine exemption, you will automatically be routed into a mandatory COVID-19 weekly testing program. The testing program offers both on- and off-campus locations to conduct saliva or nasal testing (the type of test is dependent on the testing location) free of charge.

If you are part of the routine testing program, you will receive an email from Primary Health each week with the link to schedule your test. Please see below for important information regarding the testing program:

• You must be tested at one of the locations listed above. We do not accept results from locations outside of those listed.
• We do not accept rapid tests from any location.
• You must use your university email address to schedule an appointment
• You must schedule a COVID-19 test during each academic week (Monday through Friday) of the semester
• You do not need to wait for test results to be received before attending class or work; please plan to attend class or work while results are processing.

Additional details, including exact testing locations and available appointment times, will be communicated to you directly through Primary Health. Failure to complete weekly testing may result in disciplinary action. For further questions regarding testing or vaccine exemptions, please reach out to the CU Denver Vaccine Verification Team.

If you test positive for COVID-19, take the following steps immediately:

1. Isolate and follow CDPHE guidance. A medical professional will be in touch to inform you of when you may end self-isolation. DO NOT COME TO CAMPUS.
2. Inform your professor(s) or inform the head of your unit, if you are an employee.
3. All students and employees who test positive for COVID-19 are to self-report their status regardless of where their test was performed and regardless of whether they have been physically present on campus.

Use the CU Denver referral form if you know of anyone who needs support or if you have a concern about something related to the spread of COVID-19.

If a student in your class or an employee in your unit informs you they have tested positive for COVID-19, then remind them they must stay home and ask them to fill out a COVID-19 Self-Report Form. The contact tracing team will assess the exposure risk and respond with any further instructions. It is not necessary to move class to remote instruction, arrange testing of other students or employees, or request cleaning unless instructed to do so by the contact tracing team. Please reference the COVID-19 Self-Reporting Guide for further information. 

If you got vaccinated in Colorado and are unable to match your information in the CIIS database, please email cdphe.ciis@state.co.us with a request stating that you want your information added/ updated in the Colorado Immunization database and include a copy of your vaccine card, legal first and last name, address, sex, DOB, and phone number. A return email should be received in 6-8 business days. If no communication or follow-up is received, please contact the COVID-19 vaccine hotline at 1-877-268-2926.

If you received your vaccination outside of Colorado, it will not be reflected in the CIIS database.

You can check your vaccine record in CIIS here.

Students, faculty, and staff who are 100% remote/online and do not plan to come to campus at anytime are still required to fill out the vaccine verification and exemption form. If you fall into this category and file for a vaccine exemption, please email vaccineexemption@ucdenver.edu so we can identify you as exempt from the weekly testing program.

CU Denver tracks vaccination data based on a web-based self-disclosure system. Through this system, all students, faculty, and staff must self-disclose their vaccination status or file for an exemption on the basis of medical, religious, or personal reasons.

For students, CU Denver can also confirm vaccination status for Colorado students with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

Please email vaccineexemption@ucdenver.edu with questions about this process.

Click here to file for a vaccine exemption for religious, personal, or medical reasons. The vaccine exemption process requires non-vaccinated individuals to self-disclose their status and consent to weekly COVID-19 testing, effective at the start of the fall semester. Failure to complete weekly testing may result in disciplinary action.

CU Denver’s process allows exemptions to anyone who requests one for any reason; religious, medical, or personal. We trust our students and employees to act in the best interest of our community.

• Central Services Admin (CSA) employees should select the CSA Consolidated Unit affiliation; these employees will follow CU Anschutz Medical Campus processes for verification and exemption.
• Academic Services Admin (ASA) employees whose work brings them to the CU Anschutz Medical Campus should select the CU Anschutz Medical Campus affiliation. ASA employees who work on the CU Denver campus 100% of the time should select the ASA Consolidated Unit affiliation; these employees will follow CU Denver processes for verification and exemption.

No. We will not ask for your vaccination status on your application for admissions. However, once admitted, you will need to provide proof of vaccination records.

No. You do not need to be vaccinated prior to applying to CU Denver. 

All faculty or staff who work on campus or have the possibility of having to work on campus are required to get vaccinated.

Contact your state and local public health authorities to identify locations to get the vaccinations before you come to campus in August 2021. The vaccine is available to all adults age 16+ across the country.

CU believes that doing so will support the health and safety of campus communities and the cities that call our campuses home. It will lower the rate of infection. Additionally, a vaccination requirement will further the goal of having an on-campus experience that is critical to academic success and personal growth. Learn more at the CU System Vaccine Requirement page.

On-campus activities will resume, and venues and classrooms will be scheduled at full capacity, in accordance with public health guidelines. However, eating and drinking will only be permitted for outdoor events.

Pre-approval for on-campus (and most off-campus) events is no longer required, and venues and classrooms can be scheduled at full capacity. Please complete space scheduling requests in EMS. Food and drink are permitted at outdoor events only. Buffet/self-service is not recommended unless a single, gloved server is on site. 

The event planner/sponsoring unit must ensure their guests are informed of and adhere to campus COVID-19 protocols. 

If your event will include 250 people, political presence, or media, please notify events@ucdenver.edu. If you are planning an event at an off-campus location outside of the Denver/Metro area, pre-approval is needed. Email events@ucdenver.edu for more information.

Just as we trust our students and employees to self-disclose their vaccination status, we will also use the honor system for campus guests and visitors. These individuals should follow the same safety protocols as CU Denver students/employees, according to their vaccination status.

Yes. Facilities Management audits air handling units for all CU Denver buildings at the start of each semester to ensure optimum performance. Facilities Management also conducts routine preventative inspections to verify that air handling units function properly. Building ventilation systems are monitored on an ongoing basis via Siemens Building Automation System, which allows Facilities Management to maintain proper system function at both building and room levels.

All CU Denver and Auraria-owned buildings have upgraded their building mechanical systems to include highly efficient air filters that mitigate the transmission of infectious aerosol or airborne particulates. These filters provide our buildings air quality that is comparable to that of a hospital.

Additionally, relative humidity for CU Denver buildings is maintained between 40 and 60 percent, which further helps to slow the spread of aerosols.

All students and employees obtain their CU Denver ID cards through the ID Station at the Tivoli, which offers online photo submissions. The ID Station is open for in-person services Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Reservations are recommended, although they will also accept walk-ins. Check the ID Station website for up-to-date information.

Newly enrolled students will receive an email from the ID Station with detailed instructions for completing this process.

You may read the updated policy here.

When CU Denver set up its COVID-19 attestation process, we believed that a self-attestation would meet our vaccine requirement policy. Denver’s Department of Public Health & Environment has since implemented a vaccine requirement for all workers/contractors in post-secondary education in Denver. This new public health order requires employers to gather evidence of vaccine status. During a recent meeting with DDPHE, they indicated that self-attestation would be insufficient to meet the evidence requirement.

We determined that requesting permission to access Colorado’s CIIS database was the easiest and safest way to verify vaccine status. We currently use the same process to verify COVID-19 vaccine status for students. We ONLY receive information about whether someone is matched in the database and whether and when that person has received the COVID-19 vaccine. We cannot and will not have access to any other vaccine information in the CIIS database for employees.  Uploading vaccine cards requires additional software changes and requires CU Denver to maintain that information with little ability to verify “actual” vaccine administration. Even if a person viewed every single vaccine card that would be uploading, we could not verify whether they were genuine or valid.  Using the CIIS database provides the best information and actual verification that a vaccine was administered.

As of May 2021, Denver Public Health (DDPHE) has lifted occupancy restrictions for offices, which may resume operations at 100% capacity.

Yes, staff may briefly remove masks while eating. Individuals will be encouraged to eat outside or alone in their own, safely distanced workspace. Additional instructions may be issued as the growing vaccination rate impacts public health guidance.

If you don't feel well, please work with your supervisor to get remote work approval (if feasible for your job) or use sick leave.

No, the university will not reimburse employees for using their own IT equipment, internet, or cell phones while working from home.

If an employee provides documentation that they are in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) increased risk group, Human Resources will work with deans and administrative unit heads to determine what adjustments may be made. The university has developed a Workplace Adjustment Process to respond to these concerns.

Additionally, some conditions included in the CDC's increased risk groups for COVID-19 may be considered disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Further information about the University’s reasonable accommodation process for employees can be found here.

Please talk to your supervisor to determine the right working arrangements for you. We understand the unique challenges for parents who do not have the regular suite of childcare options available. We ask supervisors to be flexible when planning any in-person work schedules.

Visit Human Resources for further guidance on workplace adjustments.

• If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination, please reach out to the Office of Equity.
• If you or someone you know needs support or resources, please reach out to the Center for Identity & Inclusion team at cii@cudenver.edu or at (303) 315-1879.

Visit the CDC website for information on countering social stigmatization associated with COVID-19.

For an employee to qualify for FMLA leave, they must have a “serious health condition” and otherwise satisfy the FMLA eligibility criteria. COVID-19 will be considered a serious health condition for FMLA purposes depending on the circumstance and the documentation provided by a medical provider. Accordingly, an employee with COVID-19 or an employee who is taking care of a qualifying family member with COVID-19 may be authorized to take protected FMLA leave.

For more guidance about taking leave due to COVID-19, contact your HR administrator or visit the Human Resources website.

Visit the Learning Resource Center webpage to learn about which courses we provide online academic support and how to use our remote learning support options!

Find resources for remote learning on the Office of Information Technology’s website. You can also download common software here. OIT also has a helpdesk that you can use for support with common technology questions or issues.

“Zoom capable” means that if a class is on-campus or hybrid, but the student is sick or does not feel comfortable going to campus, they can opt into attending the class remotely via Zoom. Students who need this option should clear it with their instructor.

Both of these course formats are virtual, in that no on-campus attendance is required. The difference is whether class time is scheduled or unscheduled (synchronous or asynchronous). A remote class will have scheduled meeting times, and the class will meet via a videoconferencing technology such as Zoom. In an online class, students access the course material on their own schedule, usually following weekly or biweekly modules. For this reason, online classes do not have a “first day of class,” although you will definitely want to log into your class during the first week so you can make sure you are completing any assigned work on time.

Please reach out to the COVID-19 Case Manager Lacey.Klindt@cuanschutz.edu or fill out a COVID-Support Navigation Form.

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, in collaboration with members of the Safe Return Teaching and Learning Implementation team, has prepared a Faculty Toolkit with a checklist to help faculty prepare to teach online and remote classes, a webpage devoted to Rapid Remote Teaching Resources, and a self-paced course on designing and teaching a virtual course that you can enroll in here.

Additionally, you can book appointments now with CETL staff for further guidance.

The Office of Information Technology also has a great webpage on Teaching Remotely. They provide access to resources from CU Denver and from other institutions.

Sign up for a training from the Office of Digital Education. Their Online Skills Mastery course is a great overview of teaching online. You can also check out their online teaching blog.

Want to go deeper? Become a Thinqstudio Faculty Fellow.

No. Faculty should not ask questions about a student’s vaccine status.

You can find Canvas and Zoom resources from the Office of Information Technology. Your Canvas course shell also contains links to Canvas guides and FAQs, at the bottom of the left hand bar. The Office of Digital Education frequently offers workshops on using Canvas and Zoom.

If the course is scheduled as on-campus or hybrid and the syllabi is clear about taking the exam on-campus, yes. However, if a student cannot come to campus because they are ill or in quarantine, you should work with the student to find an alternative. If your course is remote or online, no.

Yes.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that unvaccinated international travelers stay at home as much as possible for 10 days following international travel. Additionally, international travelers should consider getting tested and should avoid close contact with people who are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19. For tips to manage a self-quarantine, contact global.ambassadors@ucdenver.edu.

CU Denver does not set requirements for personal travel, but those who choose to travel are urged to take the following steps to protect themselves and those around them:

• Assess the risks and current restrictions in place for travel to planned areas as well as modes of travel, and understand that the nature of travel restrictions and self-quarantine may change quickly.
• Monitor the CDC’s COVID-19 travel page and U.S. Department of State travel advisories.
• Plan ahead and take health precautions while traveling.
• Maps are available showing countries and U.S. states where COVID-19 cases have been confirmed, as well as risk level by state and county.
• For international travel consult International SOS for up-to-date information about your destination. The University of Colorado membership number is 11BCAS000006. This resource may be used for business or personal travel. Please note that International SOS is not an insurance provider, but only an information resource for health and security risk assessment.
• You are encouraged to follow CDC guidance and, if you are unvaccinated, self-quarantine for 10 days following any travel.