Alcohol and Drug Policies
Alcohol Policies
The policies listed below apply to the Boulder campus and to University sponsored activities at off-campus locations. Administrators, alumni, faculty, guests, staff, and students must adhere to all applicable state and local laws and University regulations related to the sale and use of alcoholic beverages. Those persons or organizations making decisions that control the service of alcoholic beverages are responsible for compliance with applicable laws and University policies.
Most Common Laws Related to Alcohol Use and Sale
The sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited except in designated areas, at times and dates licensed by the Colorado State Department of Revenue.
Persons under 21 years of age cannot legally possess or consume malt (6 percent beer), fermented malt liquor (3.2 percent beer), or vinous or spirituous liquor. The furnishing of alcoholic beverages to underage persons is prohibited.
No person under legal drinking age nor any obviously intoxicated person shall be furnished, served, or given an alcoholic beverage.
Alcohol cannot be consumed or carried in open containers on any street, sidewalk, alley, automobile, or public area.
General University Requirements for Serving Alcohol
Alcohol may not be served unless nonalcoholic beverages (in addition to water) and food also are served. Food and nonalcoholic beverages must be available without cost if alcohol can be consumed at no cost.
When events last two hours or more, service of alcoholic beverages must stop one-half hour before the close of the event.
It is the responsibility of those in charge of an event to assure that no one who is under age is served any alcoholic beverages. No service will be provided unless clear evidence of legal age is presented. Evidence proving legal age must be presented by the alcohol consumer. The burden of proof for showing legal age is on the alcohol consumer.
Alcohol may not be consumed or carried in open containers in the commons or public areas (as defined by law and Boulder campus regulations) of any building or grounds, except as provided for below:
In individual lodging rooms or apartments owned by the University or other private areas, e.g., individual offices or lounges in which consumption is clearly not part of an official group activity or event.
For group activities or events where a liquor license (if required) has been obtained and the building proctor or scheduling officer has approved the event.
Advertisements on campus for events where alcohol will be consumed must follow the posting policies required in the document titled Committee on Use of University Facilities (CUUF). Copies of this document are available in the Office of Student Conduct, Willard Hall, room 52, 492-5550.
Specific University Requirements for Serving Beer
At any event on the Boulder campus where beer is served (whether sold or given away), the following policies must be observed:
- Beer sales revenue may not be used for fund-raising on campus.
- The cost of admission to an event may not include beer. Beer must be purchased separately.
- Beer sales must be handled by one of the Boulder campus authorized concessionaires. (An authorized concessionaire is one who routinely sells alcohol in the course of business and who meets all University criteria for obtaining appropriate insurance and licensing requirements.) Any profits or losses will be retained by the concessionaire. Free beer also must be handled by an authorized concessionaire, with costs for this service covered by the event sponsor.
- Event sponsors must have prior approval for the service of alcoholic beverages at special events. Event approval forms are available at the Athletic Department, the Student Recreation Center, Nonacademic Scheduling, and the Events/Conference Center.
- Event sponsors also should contact University Risk Management (492-1901) or the Nonacademic Scheduling Coordinator (492-8833) about requirements for engaging an "event manager." Costs for this service will be covered by the event sponsor. In some cases, full-time faculty and/or staff may serve as event managers with the approval of University Risk Management.
Appeals Procedure
Any time approval for a campus event is denied, the group wishing to sponsor the event may petition the manager of University Risk Management, 492-1901. Petitions for appeal must be received by the manager of University Risk Management within five working days of the receipt of notice that any official whose approval is required has denied the request.
The risk manager then will assemble a committee of four:
- The risk manager or designee
- The police chief or designee
- The director of the University Memorial Center or designee
- A student appointed by the UCSU tri-executives
The committee will review the petition; gather information as necessary; assess the costs, benefits, and risks associated with the proposed event, and render a final decision. Final approval for the event will be given only if all four committee members vote in favor of the event. A decision by this committee will be rendered within five working days of the receipt of the appeal.
Official Functions
Official functions are excluded from this policy. Official functions include, but are not limited to, staff retreats, receptions, and other functions that require the University to act as a host. These functions may utilize University funds and generally are not open to the public.
Suggestions for Implementing University Requirements
These are suggestions-not requirements-but we strongly urge their observance:
General
- Encourage those who drink to drink responsibly. Respect the decision of those who decline to drink. And also encourage others to respect the decision of those who choose not to drink.
- Acknowledge alternatives to alcohol in planning, advertising, and conducting events.
- Make accurate information about the use and abuse of alcohol available both to drinkers and to anyone serving alcohol.
- Do not provide excessive amounts of alcohol, even if the alcohol is provided free by a sponsor or cosponsor.
- Never make alcohol the focus of an event.
Alcohol Service
- Person in Charge: Someone must assume responsibility for supervising the event and should be present at all times. Anyone serving alcohol at an event must be at least 21 years of age for events at which malt (6 percent beer), fermented malt liquor (3.2 percent beer), or vinous or spirituous liquor will be consumed.
- Composition of Group: Colorado law states that persons under 21 years of age not be furnished, served, or given alcoholic beverages. The age of attendees will significantly influence what procedures will be required to ensure compliance with the law.
Distribution and Use
- Suggested ways to ensure compliance with Boulder campus policies and applicable laws at large events are:
- Put the burden of proof for showing legal age on the person being served. Check picture IDs at distribution. The most useful identification for this purpose is a valid driver's license or the state ID card issued to nondrivers by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Allow only persons of legal drinking age to attend the event.
- Serve each person only one drink at a time.
- Use an ink stamp to stamp the hands of all persons who are of legal drinking age.
- Have security officers, staff, and other responsible people mingle with the crowd to watch for underage persons who are consuming alcohol.
- Limit alcohol consumption by punching a hole in the admission ticket with each serving and limiting the number of holes allowed per ticket.
Advertising
- Advertisements should include a statement in which responsible use of alcohol is encouraged or the choice not to drink is supported. Examples: "Don't drink and drive," "Nonalcoholic refreshments available," "Don't abuse alcohol," or "If you use it, don't abuse it," etc.
- Promotion of alcohol or of activities at which alcohol will be consumed should not encourage any form of illegal use, misuse, or overconsumption, nor place emphasis on quantity or frequency of use.
- Advertising should emphasize activities, other than the consumption of alcohol, as the primary purpose of the event.
- Advertising should not associate consumption of alcohol with the performance of tasks that require skilled reactions (e.g., athletic activities, operation of motor vehicles, use of machinery, etc.)
- Advertisements for these events should be sensitive to social concerns such as sexism, racism, and ethnocentrism.
Illegal Drug Policies
General Policy
- The sale, manufacture, distribution, use, and possession of illegal drugs is against Boulder campus policy. These policies apply equally to administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
- These policies apply within or upon the grounds, buildings, or any other facilities of the University and off campus.
- Sanctions for Violation of Illegal Drug Policies
Sale, Distribution, or Manufacture of Illegal Drugs:
The sale, distribution, manufacture, use, or possession of illegal drugs by a member of the Boulder campus community will result in appropriate disciplinary action. This may include a requirement for any such individual to participate satisfactorily in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program and other disciplinary action, up to and including suspension from the Boulder campus and/or termination of employment.
Use and/or Possession of Illegal Drugs
Marijuana, "Misdemeanor," or "Petty Offense" Drugs:
The use or possession of "misdemeanor" or "petty offense" drugs normally will result in a warning and other appropriate disciplinary action. Repeated violations (two or more incidents) normally will result in a probationary status at the Boulder campus plus other appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including suspension from the Boulder campus and/or termination of employment. Violations occurring while in a probationary status will be cause for additional and more severe sanctions, up to and including termination of employment or other relationship with the University. Satisfactory participation in a drug abuse or rehabilitation program will be cause for consideration of a reduction in the severity of these sanctions.
"Felony" or "Hard Drugs"
The use or possession of "felony drugs" normally will result in suspension from the Boulder campus or other similarly appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Satisfactory participation in a drug abuse or rehabilitation program will be cause for consideration of a reduction in the severity of this sanction to probationary status.
