Strategic Events

A collaborative approach to campuswide events

Anchored by the campus tradition of the Conference on World Affairs, the Strategic Events Team develops and executes high-quality programming that amplifies CU Boulder’s reputation as a premier public research university. 

Housed in Strategic Relations and Communications, the Strategic Events Team collaborates with internal and external partners to produce engaging and effective programing for our students, elevate the work of our faculty and staff, and shine a light on the Boulder campus.

Recognizing the value and demands on everyone’s time, the Strategic Events Team strives to maximize audience reach, provide meaningful content and deliver on our institutional promise to lead, innovate and impact. 

Explore past events: Right Here Right Now and Conference on World Affairs (CWA). 

Our Services

 

Comms
 Support

 

Marketing Strategy

 

Third Party
Film Request

 

Logistical Support

 

Location Selection  

 

Webinar Support

Film Guidelines

Those wishing to film or photograph on CU Boulder's campus are required to fill out an application for a third-party film request. News media do not need a permit to film on campus. Please reach out to filmrequests@colorado.edu with questions.

The Signature Events Team, within the department of Strategic Relations and Communications, is responsible for managing and processing motion picture, video production and still photography requests to work on the CU Boulder campus and associated properties.

Please note that the university does not endorse social life or lifestyle reality television, or productions featuring violence, discrimination of any kind, sexual situations, or drug or alcohol use. Nor do we allow the use of the university’s name in advertising to endorse products or companies without the president’s approval.

This requirement does not apply to photo or video shoots on behalf of departments or other CU Boulder units, or local television or national networks covering daily news stories. Notification that a reporter and/or production crew is coming to the campus is appreciated. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our office at filmrequests@colorado.edu. You will be required to submit a film permit application and sign a location agreement.

 

Submit a Film Permit Application

**FILM INCENTIVE—Please know there is now a Colorado Film Incentive to film production in Colorado, with a tax credit for up to 20% of qualified expenses. The incentive supports:

  • Feature films
  • Television pilots
  • Television series
  • Streaming series
  • Music videos
  • Industrials
  • Documentaries
  • Video game design and creation

FAQs

Yes, filming on campus is permitted only if it does not interfere with normal university business or previously scheduled events; the university’s academic mission is of primary importance. A University of Colorado Boulder photography, motion picture, video and television permit is required to film on campus. The permit can be approved only when all of the following requirements have been met:

  1. Specific date(s) and location(s) are confirmed and approved by the Signature Events Team.
  2. Certificate of Insurance (see INSURANCE below) is received by the Signature Events Team no less than two business days before filming.
  3. Full payment of all fees and other estimated charges are agreed upon by the Signature Events Team no less than two business days before filming.
  4. The permit application is completed and returned to the Signature Events Team seven days before filming.
  5. Parking arrangements have been made through either Parking Services or other plans agreed upon with the event director. 

Yes, you do need permission to film on campus. Please contact the appropriate departments, if needed, for permission to use their facilities. Below is a list of popular departments and facilities for your reference:

CU Events Planning (for presentation rooms, lecture halls or classrooms)

Yes, you do need insurance to film on campus. Your company shall carry sufficient insurance to cover any and all liabilities that may occur during its use of university property. The university must receive a Certificate of Insurance and an Additionally Insured Endorsement, naming the Regents of the University of Colorado as additionally insured, for the day(s) of filming, load in and strike a minimum of two business days before filming and/or load in. Coverage must be as follows:

  • $1,000,000 for general liability, including property damage
  • $1,000,000 automobile liability, including hired and non-owned vehicles
  • Statutory limits/workers' compensation
  • $1,000,000 employee liability

The certificate holder shall be: The Regents of the University of Colorado, University Risk Management, 1800 Grant St., Suite 700, Denver, CO 80203-1187. Certificates must be sent via e-mail to: filmrequests@colorado.edu. Policies shall be primary to all other coverage that may be concurrently in effect. All policies shall be underwritten by a company licensed to do business in the state of Colorado. 

Yes, the cost to shoot at CU Boulder is a combination of the CU Boulder film permit fee, location fee, event manager staffing costs, parking, police or other miscellaneous services needed for the shoot. Please note separate fees may apply for use of campus facilities.

The permit fee is based on a half-day/full-day/flat rate system. The time coverage by the permit begins when the first production vehicle arrives until the last one leaves on the day(s) of the shoot. The half-day term is six hours, and the full-day is 12 hours. Any shoot over six hours will be considered a full day, and any shoot over 12 hours will be charged additional fees based on hourly rates.

Permit fees:

Commercial film/television production companies

  • Half-day: $1,500
  • Full-day: $3,000
  • Overtime rate (over 12 hours): $150 an hour

Production companies producing non-educational-based programing

  • Half-day: $500
  • Full-day: $1,000
  • Overtime rate (over 12 hours): $150 an hour

Production companies producing educational-based programing

  • Half-day: $225
  • Full-day: $500
  • Overtime rate (over 12 hours): $150 an hour

Independent/documentary production companies

  • Half-day: $200
  • Full-day: $250

Still photography companies

  • Flat rate (up to 10 hours): $125

Sample staffing and parking fees

  • Event manager*: $125 per hour 
     
  • Community safety officers: $35 per hour
  • Police: $80 per hour (typically CUPD requires that officers work in pairs)
     
  • University Memorial Center security: $25 per hour
  • Athletics security: $35 per hour 
     
  • Billed event manager hours will include scouts and preparation, shoot day and wrap.

Separate fees may apply for use of campus facilities. For contact information, please refer to the Athletics and Events Services section of the guideline.

Campus communicators, multimedia producers, researchers and anyone else who might like to fly a drone over campus have to go through a rigorous training program to operate a UAS on and over campus. CU Boulder has a director of flight operations within the Department of Integrity, Safety and Compliance, and all third-party operator requests need to go through them for approval. Specific information regarding this can be found on the Division of Public Safety site.

To fly a drone on campus as a third-party operator, we require the following:

  • Certificate of UAS insurance
  • Proof of UAS registration
  • Detailed safety plan to include times of operation, plans to avoid flights over people, plans for takeoff and landing, etc.
  • If the flight obstructs access to any facility or requires any facility to be closed, you must coordinate with the appropriate facilities manager; flight operations cannot give approval for obstructing access to or closing a facility.
  • This plan must be submitted to the director of flight operations no fewer than 10 business days before the desired flight time; we strongly recommend submitting this proposal 14 business days before the desired flight time.

CU Boulder has an extensive video archive of drone footage on campus. We are able to provide this footage upon request.

Yes! CU Boulder has a variety of great locations across campus available for filming and photography. Below is a list of our most popular locations and facilities, with photos, for your reference:

If you’re looking for something specific, or would like to schedule a site visit, please reach out directly to filmrequests@colorado.edu

Our team is highly capable of hosting and producing webinars and hybrid events for departments, groups and colleges across campus. If you need  help with your upcoming webinar or hybrid event let us know.

Strategic Relations and Communications has a 3,000-person Zoom license available for use. If you would like to use the Zoom license for an event, please fill out the request form below and someone from our team will get back to you shortly.

Webinar/Hybrid Event Request Form

Strategic Relations & Communications Zoom License & Hybrid Events

Our team has become all too familiar, and very good, at hosting and producing webinars and hybrid events for various departments, groups and colleges across campus. If you’re in need of help or assistance with your upcoming webinar, or hybrid event, let us know!

Strategic Relations & Communications has a 3,000 person Zoom license available for use. If you would like to utilize the Zoom license for an upcoming event(s) please fill out the information below and someone from our team will get back with you shortly.

Webinar/Hybrid Event Request Form

Contact Us

In addition to our core services, we also offer support with event promotion, attendee engagement, and logistical coordination. Our team is committed to understanding the unique needs of each event and tailoring our approach to meet those requirements. 

If you are interested and would like to learn more you can contact us using the button below.

Contact Us

Partner Events

September 19-21, 2024

October 1, 2024