Introducing the CU Boulder Safe App

CU Boulder Safe is the university’s new official safety app that brings together real-time alerts, personal safety tools, and quick access to campus and community resources. It’s part of a broader initiative to create a more responsive and secure campus experience for all students, faculty and staff.

CU Boulder safe is available at no cost to all students, faculty and staff. For iOS users they can download the new app at the Apple App store or Google Play store. Once the app is downloaded, users must log in with their IdentiKey credentials to access the app’s full functionality.

The CU Boulder Safe app is a modern, all-in-one safety app that meets the current needs of our campus. It offers faster and easier access to resources and tools that our campus community has been asking for, such as a text-to-dispatch option and virtual walkhome—reflecting our commitment to a safer, more connected community.

No. CU Boulder Safe is complimentary to the university's existing emergency alerts dissemination structure.

The launch of this app is the culmination of over a year of discussion and planning within the Division of Public Safety as part of an effort to improve upon the public safety resources our campus offers. We are always looking at the latest technology and found this upgrade would allow for real-time communication and accessible support, now is the right time to launch a more modern, integrated tool that empowers the CU Boulder community to stay informed and connected.

CU Boulder Safe directly supports the university’s priorities around safety, wellness and community resilience. It empowers individuals to stay informed and connected while also allowing for an additional layer of communication during an emergency. The app is designed not just for emergencies, it will also support users in navigating campus life with greater peace of mind.

CU Boulder Safe includes:

• Text-to-Dispatch – A built-in chat function enables discreet, non-emergency communication with dispatchers.
• Virtual Walkhome – Users can allow CU Boulder Police dispatchers to monitor their location in real time as they walk across campus, offering peace of mind—especially at night.
• Friend Walk – Allows users to share their live location with a friend or family member who can follow their journey to ensure a safe arrival.
• Push Alerts – Real-time emergency notifications sent directly to users’ phones.
• Quick Access to Resources – Including Buff Bus routes, CUNightRide, parking and campus maps, mental health resources, and connections to community partners such as BoCoAlert and the Boulder Police Department.

Yes. Friend Walk allows you to share your live location with anyone in your phone’s contacts—they do not need to have the CU Boulder Safe app installed.

Entering your mobile phone number in the profile is essential to help CU Boulder Dispatch be able to contact you if you are on a walk, chat or press the “Send Police Now” button but the connection is lost. It will also help with sending help to the exact location needed.

This feature immediately alerts CU Boulder Police and begins a call to Dispatch. If the call is not completed, officers will respond to your location based on the address provided by the app. Note: the app does not transmit room numbers—complete the call if you can.

CU Boulder Dispatch is the university’s 24/7 dispatch center. They handle all incoming emergency and non-emergency requests and coordinate with CU Boulder Police and other support services. You can contact them via call or in-app chat.

• The CU Boulder Safe app will share your location with CU Boulder Dispatch when you activate a chat with them, start a walk, or press the “Send Police Now” button. It does not track you or send your information unless you activate these features.
• If you activate these features and then close the app or end the chat, walk, or “Send Police Now” request, CU Boulder Dispatch will no longer be able to see your location.

Some features—like Emergency Plans—are accessible offline. However, real-time tools such as chat, Virtual Walk, and Send Police Now require an internet or data connection.

The app’s geo-fence covers a circular area that includes the entire CU Boulder campus, as well as adjacent properties owned by the City of Boulder that lie between different campus zones. This boundary ensures that key app features, like Virtual Walk and emergency services, are available within this designated area. When outside of the geo-fence please call 9-1-1 for assistance. A feature that is started inside the geofence, and are NOT closed will continue to stay connected. When in doubt, outside of campus call 9-1-1.

This button will allow you to send a message to anyone in your contact list letting them know your location, that something has happened on campus, but you are ok.

Emergency alerts are automatically sent to the CU Boulder Safe app—you do not need to sign up separately to receive them there. However, if you want to get alerts via text message, you must sign up through the university’s alert system at alerts.colorado.edu.

Within the app, you can manage your notification preferences under “About/Preferences” > “Notification Settings.” If you choose to “Disable Notifications” in the app, you will stop receiving alerts through CU Boulder Safe. Only disable notifications if you no longer wish to get alerts on your device via the app.

The Guardian app will be phased out later this year to offer the campus community the opportunity to phase in the new app. Users are encouraged to download CU Boulder Safe as soon as possible to begin using the new and expanded features. The university is actively communicating this transition and offering support to ensure users make the switch smoothly.

Yes. The Division of Public Safety is conducting outreach and providing guidance to help users understand and take full advantage of the app’s features. Support materials, campus presentations and digital resources are part of this awareness effort.