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6 things to know before St. Patrick’s Day

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St. Patrick’s Day is a time of fun and celebration for many students. If you choose to join in the festivities this weekend, remember we all play a role in keeping each other and our community safe. Here are some tips and reminders before the holiday. 

1. Find things to do 

You can find events and activities on campus over St. Patrick’s Day weekend, where you can meet new people and get involved. With Get Lucky Bingo, the Shamrock Showdown,Fire Pit Friday and the TRANSforming Gender Conference, there are plenty of things to do. Check out upcoming student events.  

2. Get home safely with CU NightRide 

Whatever you choose to do this weekend, make a plan for how to get home safely. CU NightRide provides free, late-night transportation for CU Boulder students, faculty and staff within Boulder city limits. Download the CU NightRide app from the App Store or Google Play to request a ride when you need it. 

If you’re outside Boulder city limits and CU NightRide isn’t an option, consider public transportation or other rideshare services. To get around the Boulder and Denver areas, your Buff OneCard gives you access to all RTD bus and rail routes. The Transit app makes it easy to track the locations of RTD buses (including the HOP) in real-time. Download Transit on Google Play or the Apple Store. 

3. Avoid getting a ticket 

Remember that you’re a Buff wherever you are. Be considerate and respectful to those around you, whether on or off campus.  

Excessive noise at any time of the day or night can result in a ticket—a common and expensive citation you can avoid. A nuisance party ticket is issued when a residence hosts a gathering that violates Boulder ordinances. This includes unreasonable noise, underage drinking, brawling, public urination, littering, etc. You can receive a ticket for disruptive guests. You can also receive a fine for trash in your yard or around your property. Also, remember that use and possession of fireworks is illegal in Boulder. 

If you plan on hosting a gathering, lower your chances of receiving a ticket by registering your party with Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations. Registering your party will give you a 20-minute warning to shut things down before police are dispatched if a noise complaint has been made against your address. While a nuisance ticket could result in a hefty fine, registering your party is free. Remember, you can call the non-emergency Boulder Police dispatch line at 303-441-3333 if you have an issue like property theft, unwanted guests at a party or other non-emergency situation. In an emergency, call 911. 

Remember that you still need to follow local ordinances and be respectful of your neighbors even if you registered your gathering. 

4. Stay safe at parties 

If you choose to use alcohol or other drugs, here are some things to keep in mind: 

  • Set a limit before you go out and stick to it. Enlist friends to help keep you accountable.
  • Make a game plan with friends before going to a party. If plans change, talk about it as a group.
  • Assume any prescription or illicit drug purchased from a dealer, friend or roommate likely contains fentanyl. 
  • Pick up free naloxone and be prepared to use it if someone shows signs of alcohol poisoning or a potential overdose.
  • Stay hydrated throughout the day or night while drinking.
  • Look out for sketchy situations and keep track of your friends. Never leave an intoxicated person behind at a party.
  • Trust your instincts. If something feels weird or wrong, it probably is. Making an excuse to leave an uncomfortable situation or party is OK. 

If you choose to drink or use other substances, think through the experiences you want to have as well as those you want to avoid. Get more tips for staying safe over St. Patrick’s Day weekend. 

5. Call for help in an emergency 

If your friend is having an alcohol- or drug-related emergency, you will not get in trouble if you call for help. You and your friends’ safety and well-being are the priority. The university has policies in place so that neither you nor your friend who needs help will be subject to formal disciplinary sanctions by the university (i.e., probation, suspension, expulsion) when you call for help.  

CU Boulder Amnesty Policy

To be covered by the Amnesty Policy, a student must: 

  • Call for help (911 or university staff).
  • Stay with the intoxicated individual until help arrives, and put them into the recovery position if they are exhibiting signs of alcohol poisoning.
  • Cooperate with staff and emergency responders. 

For more information about the Amnesty Policy, visit the Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution website or review the student code of conduct. 

911 Good Samaritan Law

The 911 Good Samaritan Law states that a person is immune from criminal prosecution for an offense when the person reports, in good faith, an emergency drug or alcohol overdose even to a law enforcement officer, the 911 system or a medical provider. 

This same immunity applies to persons who remain at the scene of the event until a law enforcement officer or an emergency medical responder arrives or if the person remains at the facilities of the medical provider until a law enforcement officer, emergency medical responder or medical provider arrives. The immunity described above also extends to the person who suffered the emergency drug or alcohol overdose event. 

6. Look out for each other

Whether you’re in Boulder or elsewhere this weekend, it’s important to prepare and have a plan in place in case things do not go as expected. If you’re venturing out with others, find a space where you can go if things feel like they’re getting out of hand.  

Use the buddy system with one of your close friends. Be sure to keep an eye on one another and keep each other safe throughout the night. Never leave a friend or roommate alone with people you just met or don’t know well. Have a plan or someone you can reach out to in case you need to leave a dangerous situation.