Graduation: What You Need to Know

Multiple on-campus parking lots will be free to the public on graduation ceremony days and there will be free shuttle drop-off services. View full parking information → 

• Parking for guests requiring accessibility: Guests who need ADA accessible parking may park in lots 440 West (closest to the CU Events Center), 204, 346, 359, 360 or 380.
  • A disability parking placard is not required to park in lots 204, 380 or 440 West.
  • A disability parking placard is required to park in lots 346, 359 or 360.

Clear bag requirements:To support security measures, CU Events Center has limitations on bags and items that may be brought with you. With the exception of medical bags, all bags must meet certain requirements. 

• View a list of permitted and prohibited bags and other items →
• There will not be storage space for graduates and their guests to keep items during the ceremony. Graduates are responsible for carrying any personal items they bring, and all belongings are also subject to the clear bag policy. 

Security: All graduates and guests are subject to security screenings, which may include walk-through metal detectors, electronic wanding and inspection of bags or other personal items.

Graduates have a separate entrance in order to sign in and line up.

Please follow signage to the north loading dock entrance of the CU Events Center and enter the double doors to the far right. 

• Once you arrive (at 7 a.m.):
  • If you RSVP'd, thank you! Pick up your printed registration card at the table that corresponds with your last name. You will later hand the card to the person announcing your name as you reach the stage.
  • If you missed the deadline to RSVP, please arrive promptly to allow for time to check in.
• Our staff will direct you to line up by your degree program at 7:30 a.m. In the meantime, stay hydrated.
• There are portable restrooms outside the venue as you enter, but none inside the check-in area or once the ceremony starts. Please plan accordingly.
• There is no storage space for graduates to keep items during the ceremony. Graduates are responsible for carrying all personal items they bring, and all belongings are subject to the clear bag policy. Please take all items with you; students will not return to the lower gym after the ceremony.

Family and guests will follow signage to enter through the front doors of the CU Events Center. 

• Graduation programs will be distributed throughout the CU Events Center Concourse as you enter through the doors.
• Family and friends should be seated by 7:45 a.m. Guests may sit anywhere not marked reserved, ADA/Disability or graduate seating. All seats are first come, first served. The earlier guests arrive, the better seats they can secure. Tickets are not required.
• Guests requiring accommodations, such as wheelchair seating, interpreters or assisted-listening devices, should contact the ADA Compliance office at (303) 492-9725 or via email ASAP so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
• Concessions will be open for guests to purchase snacks and drinks.
• Flowers are available for purchase on the upper level of the concourse behind sections 7 and 8 and sections 23 and 24.

A professional photographer with GradImages will take pictures of all graduates with a diploma cover.

GradImages will distribute contact cards to each student to fill out with their name, address and email. They will use this information to contact you after the ceremony to view and purchase your pictures.

GradImages offers a 20% discount to those who pre-register on their website before the ceremony.

Our reception will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the Business Field.

All graduates and their guests are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, please visit the CU Commencement website.