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4 tips for commuting to campus

commuter lounge

Whether you live two or 20 miles from campus, here are some tips to help you navigate the fall semester.   

Travel to campus  

All enrolled CU students can use their Buff OneCard to access RTD bus and rail routes. Learn more about how to ride the bus or find a park-n-ride near you, and review information on the new bus lanes on Colorado Ave. Download the Transit app for routes and real-time transit information.  

Commuting by bike is also an excellent way to get around campus and Boulder. If you plan to use your bike on campus, register it at one of the bike stations. Registering your bike gives you free access to the campus bike stations, including bike maintenance assistance. If you’re looking for a bike to use this semester, check out the CU Bike Fest on Sept. 5.  

Don’t know how to ride a bike? It’s never too late to start. Bike instructors at the Environmental Center can give you a private lesson to get you going in no time. They can even set you up with an adult-sized balance bike (a bike without pedals) to practice on. This service is for CU students, faculty and staff. 

Boulder's bike-sharing program, BCycle, offers electric assist bikes around town including locations near many bus stops. As a student, you get a free BCycle membership through the Environmental Center—learn more about activating your membership. 

Scooters and skateboards are also options for getting around campus and Boulder. 

Know about weather closures or delays  

As the weather begins to cool later in the fall, campus may experience delays or closures due to inclement weather. Students receive email notifications through the campus alert system, and you can add your phone number in Buff Portal to get CU Alerts by text message. 

Explore campus dining options  

Students can visit dining centers, grab-n-gos, retail markets and restaurants and cafes for on-campus dining options. Download the Nutrislice app or use the Nutrislice website to view menus and filter for allergens, dietary restrictions and preferences.  

On-campus dining locations accept Campus Cash and credit or debit cards. Block Meal Plans are available with different numbers of meals per semester to all students living off campus and in Bear Creek or Graduate and Family Housing for convenient dining in any of our dining centers, grab-n-gos and some restaurants.   

For up-to-date information, visit the Dining Services website or check out this list of frequently asked questions. 

Join the Beyond Campus Buffs community  

Depending on your schedule, you may have downtime between classes or other commitments on campus. Beyond Campus Buffs offers monthly events and resources for undergraduate students living off campus. 

The Commuter Lounge in the University Memorial Center (UMC) offers students who travel to campus access to free amenities, including: 

  • Free coffee 
  • Printing 
  • Refrigerator access 
  • Microwave access 
  • Lockers 
  • Lounge space  

The lounge is also staffed by beyond campus advisors— students who have or are commuting to campus with experience navigating campus and the surrounding area—are also available to answer questions.  

First-year students can access the lounge automatically. If you’re a returning undergraduate commuter, complete this form to gain access to the lounge and learn about events for commuter students. The lounge is available to undergraduate students only. 

Want to learn more about student life and getting involved on campus? Download the CU Boulder Life app and follow @CUBoulderLife on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter)! 

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