We know that many of our students, faculty and staff have been affected by recent fires, including the Marshall Fire and NCAR Fire, and our university will do everything we can to provide support. We will add resources and updates to this page as they become available.

On this page:

For CU Boulder community members impacted by the fires

Boulder County residents affected should monitor the Boulder Office of Emergency Management website for updates and resources.

The NCAR Fire public information call center's hours are available at boulderoem.com. The phone number is 303-413-7730. 

The first priority in any emergency situation is safety. Beyond physical safety, unexpected natural disasters such as the one we are experiencing in and around the Boulder region can be devastating to our wellbeing. These events may additionally cause significant disruption to our lives or lives of those we care about. 

For community members who want to help

For those who want to donate to people in need during this time, you can directly support CU Boulder community members via Buffs Together. There are more giving opportunities, including Feed the Stampede which supports our local pantry, and additional volunteer opportunities available via the Volunteer Resource Center.

Disaster recovery

Boulder County has launched a Marshall Fire resources page.

Financial assistance

CU Boulder students who continue to need emergency support should reach out to deanofstudents@colorado.edu. Staff and faculty impacted may apply for emergency funds via the Staff & Faculty Emergency Fund.

For housing and food assistance

If community members want to rent hotel rooms for short term housing needs, some hotels offer CU faculty and staff a CU rate if they use their CU Boulder Buff OneCard through the Preferred Hotel Program. Payment must be on a personal credit card (not a P-Card or Travel Card). The Boulder Convention & Visitors Bureau is highlighting discount hotels and hotels that are offering a third night free (conditions may apply).

  • The Boulder Area Rental Housing Association has a list of available properties for rent for displaced individuals.
  • If you are impacted by the fire and have not yet received further information about resources from the Dean of Students Office, please reach out to deanofstudents@colorado.edu
  • The Buff Pantry is open for those in need of food. The pantry is also accepting donations.

Work and academic accommodations

Community members in need of WiFi hot spots or laptops should reach out to the Student Emergency Fund and Staff & Faculty Emergency Fund.

Employees and graduate students with teaching appointments in need of work or leave accommodations should contact their supervisors directly.

Students displaced by the fire should contact their instructors  and if they need further assistance, should contact Student Support and Case Management.

Teaching assistants should contact the instructor of record for their class.

Graduate part time instructors should contact their chair, director or associate dean.

The Office of Information Technology’s Hybrid Work Recommendations page has resources and best practices for transitioning to hybrid work.

For counseling and advocacy

It is perfectly normal to experience a heightened sense of worry and alertness. If you are finding that your worries are detrimental to your basic functioning or if you are needing to process the traumatic event, it may be time to reach out to a close friend, trusted community leader or professional counselor. 

  • The Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) is available to all CU Boulder community members experiencing major life disruptions, and provides free, confidential counseling, advocacy, information and referrals. OVA is available 24/7 at 303-492-8855; press menu option 2. Please note that when OVA returns calls they will usually be coming from a blocked or restricted number.
  • Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) provides free, confidential mental health services for students. They can be reached 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.

We understand that for many of you, there will be a long recovery from this traumatic event, and our university and campus community will support you in every way that we can.

Leave

Individuals impacted by fires should review the Leave Options in Event of a Natural Disaster or Local Emergency Page.

Many employees are asking how to donate leave to the Leave Sharing Program or directly to a colleague. The leave sharing fund is currently healthy and no additional donations are needed at this time. Direct donation to an individual is not an available option. 

For community members who want to help

For those who want to donate to people in need during this time, you can directly support CU Boulder community members via Buffs Together. There are more giving and volunteering opportunities available via the Volunteer Resource Center.

FSAP has created a list of 9 tips for helping those lost their homes in the Marshall Fire.

The Boulder County District Attorney has warned people to be wary of scams, including fundraisers or “Go Fund Me” pages which could be posing as the people or organizations they are supposed to help.

Transportation

For those in need of transportation, CU Boulder can help. If you need a bike on campus, please email bicycle@colorado.edu. For other bike options around town, visit Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance. There is also free access for CU students to Boulder BCycle.

Colorado Carshare is also offering free carshare membership to those impacted by the fires.

FAQs

    • CU Boulder community members in need of WiFi hotspots or laptops should reach out to the Student Emergency Fund and Staff & Faculty Emergency Fund.
    • Campus community members can contact the Office of Victim Assistance for advocacy, counseling and other support.
    • Students displaced by the fire should contact their instructors, and if they need further assistance, should also contact Student Support and Case Management.
    • Employees should also contact their supervisors for assistance with accommodations.
    • Instructional personnel should contact their supervisors for assistance with accommodations. Usually this will be a chair, director or associate dean; in the case of TAs, this is the instructor of record for the class; for GPTIs, this is usually their chair, director or associate dean.

    • Students who need accommodations due to COVID-19 should reach out to their instructors individually.
    • Students displaced by the fire should contact their instructors and if they need further assistance, should contact Student Support and Case Management.

    • Graduate students with teaching appointments should contact their supervisors for assistance with accommodations. In the case of TAs, this is the instructor of record for the class; for GPTIs, this is usually their chair, director or associate dean.