Weapons on Campus

I. Purpose

Article 14.B.3 of the Laws of the Board of Regents requires the chancellors, on behalf of each campus, to adopt procedures governing the use of university grounds, buildings, and facilities and that such provisions address use that interferes with university functions and activities. In Policy 14.I, the Board of Regents recognized that the unauthorized possession of firearms, explosives, and other dangerous and illegal weapons on or within any University of Colorado (CU) campus, leased building, or areas where such possession interferes with the learning and working environment of the University of Colorado and is inconsistent with the academic mission of the university.

The Board of Regents further recognized in Policy 14.I that the Colorado General Assembly, in passing the state laws regarding concealed carry, authorizes qualified citizens to obtain a permit to carry concealed handguns. The Colorado Supreme Court determined that the Colorado concealed carry laws apply to state institutions of higher education, including CU, and that the concealed carry laws do not permit state institutions of higher education to prohibit the lawful carrying of concealed handguns in accordance with terms of the laws.

Pursuant to the authority delegated to the chancellors of each CU campus, the purpose of this policy is to enact rules to regulate the possession of firearms, explosives, and other weapons for the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) that preserves the learning and working environment and recognizes the rights of citizens to exercise their rights under the Colorado concealed carry laws.

II. Policy

The possession of firearms, explosives, or other dangerous or illegal weapons on any property owned, leased, or controlled by the CU Boulder campus is prohibited, except as exempted or authorized by this policy. A harmless instrumentality designed to look like a firearm, explosive, or dangerous or illegal weapon which is used by or is in the possession of a person with the intent to cause fear in or assault to another person is expressly included within this prohibition. In addition, due to the potential for confusion and perception of threat and subsequent disruption that can be caused by their presence, prop or replica firearms, explosives, or dangerous or illegal weapons shall not be brought to campus unless exempted under this policy.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any person who has been lawfully issued a permit to carry a concealed handgun under the provisions of Colorado law may carry a concealed handgun so long as consistent with Colorado law, except in those situations where CU Boulder has granted specific access to buildings or facilities pursuant to a contractual relationship, such as for access to reside in student housing facilities or for access to ticketed events, that has limited or prohibited the ability of persons to possess a concealed handgun in such buildings or facilities. In the event a person violates the terms of such contractual access, the person may be subject to enforcement action, including but not limited to exclusion from the building or facility to which the person had been granted access. When acting pursuant in compliance with this provision, possession of a concealed handgun on university property is not be prohibited by this policy.
For the purposes of this policy, a "dangerous or illegal weapon" means: an instrument of offensive or defensive combat; anything used, or designed to be used, in destroying, defeating, or injuring a person; an instrumentality designed or likely to produce bodily harm; or an instrument by the use of which a fatal wound may probably or possible be given. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following: any firearm (e.g., handgun, machine gun, short shotgun, short rifle), firearm silencer, explosive, blackjack, gas gun, stun gun, slingshot, cross-knuckles, metallic knuckles, any bowie knife, dirk, dagger or similar knife, or any knife having the appearance of a pocketknife, the blade of which can be opened by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle or other mechanical contrivance.
Policy Exemptions
1. Possession of firearms, explosives, or other dangerous weapons is permitted for peace officers or for others similarly situated who are legally authorized to possess such weapons for the purposes of their role or position and who have written permission or authorization from the University of Colorado Police Department (CUPD) chief of police or from the chancellor after consultation with the chief of police.
2. Possession of prop or replica, firearms, explosives, or dangerous or illegal weapons approved in advanced in writing by the CUPD Chief of Police, or delegate, pursuant to CUPD waiver procedure with safety protocol under which the props or replicas may be used.
Any person who violates this policy is subject to enforcement actions, such as ban from university property and disciplinary action, pursuant to any applicable university process and procedure, by university officials.