Getting to Boulder and Hotel Information

***NOTE:  The U.S. will be electing a new president in November, 2008.  The Democratic National Convention will be held in Colorado's capital city, Denver, which is about 30 miles from Boulder, from August 25 (the first day of classes) to August 28.  The convention will bring thousands of delegates, media, and support people from all over the United States into Denver International Airport, beginning about a week before the convention begins.  This may make it difficult to get a flight into Denver, especially given that you need to be in Boulder a couple of weeks before classes begin.  ISSS suggests that you make your flight arrangements as early as you can.

In addition, hotel rooms in Denver and  Boulder and surrounding areas are expected to be booked months in advance of the convention.  If you need temporary housing before moving into your residence hall, family housing unit, or apartment, ISSS urges you to make hotel reservations now.

A list of student organizations can be found at :  http://www.colorado.edu/OIE/isss/clubs.html.  Members may be able to offer help or suggestions.***

Boulder is located approximately 30 miles northwest of Denver. You will arrive in Denver by air through Denver International Airport (DIA). From there you can get to Boulder by either the Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus service or by the Super Shuttle, a van service.

ABOUT Denver International Airport (DIA): The airport's main terminal is characterized by a large canopy of fiberglass “peaks” that were constructed to resemble the peaks and valleys of the nearby mountains. The dual-sided terminal – carriers are organized by Terminal West and Terminal East – separates traffic into three levels: The upper level is for departures, the mid-level is for ground transportation, and the lower level is for passenger pick-up. The gates are arranged along three concourses connected to each other and the main terminal by a train.

Hospitality Ambassadors and Airport Guest Services provide customer service, information booths, airport paging, directions, and help with the often-expected mishaps, like lost luggage. They can direct you to the Ground Transportation Information Counter, but if you need some additional help getting to campus, feel free to call ISSS at 303-492-8057 during our business hours. The cost of a local call is 50 cents.

The Ground Transportation Information Counter is located on Level 5 of DIA.

You can get to Boulder by bus, shuttle, or taxi.

BUS SERVICE:

The Regional Transportation District's (RTD) bus service from the airport to Boulder is called the skyRide. All buses leave from Level 5, Island 5, outside Door 506 at Terminal West and outside Door 511 at Terminal East. The skyRide bus from DIA to Boulder is Route AB. You can check departure times for each route at Island 5 in the shelter at either Terminal East or Terminal West OR at the skyRide counter in DIA located on the west side in the Ground Transportation area Level 5, outside Door 506. Exact fare is required on boarding the bus or you can buy a ticket from the skyRide counter. As of this writing, the fare is $11.

If you need information when the skyRide counter is not open, RTD kiosks are conveniently located in the main terminal on both the north and south sides of the fountain, behind the car rental counters. The kiosks are easy to use and allow you to check route and schedule information and view maps.

If you have on-campus housing, ask the driver to let you off at the University Memorial Center (UMC). ISSS is a short walk from the UMC. The enclosed map shows our location and the location of the residence halls. If you arrive between 5 p.m. and midnight, go directly to your residence hall's main office.

If you are meeting someone or need to find a hotel, stay on the bus to the terminal at 14th and Walnut Streets. Most hotels provide a shuttle service from the bus station to their hotels, or you can call a taxi at 303-777-7777. Be prepared to pay $7 to $10 for a taxi, and tip the driver at least 15 percent, plus an extra $1 to $2 for each piece of luggage.

VAN SERVICE:

BoulderSuperShuttle provides van service from DIA to major hotels in Boulder County, and to destinations on campus like the University Memorial Center and Hallett Hall for a fee of $22. Door-to-door service is also provided throughout most of Boulder County, but it will be more expensive (anywhere from $28 to $36 per person). You need to have a ticket before you can board a van. To get a ticket, check-in at the BoulderSuperShuttle ticket counter, Level 5, near baggage claim in the main terminal. A counter service agent will issue you a ticket and direct you to the proper loading area. You may make reservations 24 hours in advance by going to their web site. Vans depart every hour at ten minutes past the hour – 6:10 a.m. through 12:10 a.m., 7 days a week. Vans leave on the half-hour during busy afternoon and evening hours.

Call SuperShuttle Boulder at (303) 227-0000 or visit their web site if you want to make a reservation: http://www.yellowtrans.com

TAXI:

The Yellow Cab taxi company is affiliated with the Boulder Super Shuttle, so their web site is the same: http://www.yellowtrans.com

Taxis are a convenient but expensive way to get to Boulder. If you arrive when the buses and shuttles are not running, you may decide to take a taxi. Of course, taxi fares are calculated with the use of a meter, which is “activated” by the driver. From DIA to Boulder, you can expect to pay AT LEAST $95 for metered fare, plus additional charges for non-metered rates for things like oversized or too much luggage and toll charges. Then you will have to add a tip. You can find a taxi in the transportation area across from the baggage claim area outside the airport. Call (303) 777-7777 if you are unable to find a taxi outside the airport.

If you arrive at DIA late in the evening, it may be better for you to stay in Denver and come to Boulder the following day. Ask one of the Airport Guest Services staff members at DIA to give you recommendations about hotels near the airport. Also, you can look at this website to get an idea of what is available to you. http://www.flydenver.com/guide/local/hotels.asp

Hotel Information

Click here for a more complete listing of Boulder Hotels

If you arrive late or if there are no vacancies in Boulder hotels, it may be wise for you to stay in Denver that evening and come to Boulder the next day. You can call any hotel from the bag­gage claim area at DIA. The hotels closest to the airport are expensive (around $100 to $115 per night) and fill quickly, but they often have shuttle service to and from DIA: http://www.flydenver.com/guide/local/hotels.asp

Some helpful maps:

• Map of Denver International Airport to Boulder
• Map of the University of Colorado at Boulder