Published: Feb. 18, 2021

Through the spring semester, campus officials are providing weekly updates through CU Boulder Today and weekly Campus Q&As.

Boulder County remains in Level Yellow: Concern

Boulder County shifted to Level Yellow: Concern on the COVID-19 state dial on Saturday, Feb. 6. Under Level Yellow: Concern, a personal gathering is limited to a maximum of 10 people from no more than two households. 

Reminder: A household is composed of one or more people who occupy a housing unit. On campus, your household is defined as you and your roommate(s). Off campus, household means your roommates and anyone who lives in a dwelling with you. Learn more about what Level Yellow: Concern means for your campus experience.

New diagnostic testing location 

On Wednesday, Feb. 17, the COVID-19 PCR diagnostic testing site moved to the CASE building, Testing Center (E130). This test site is open to CU Boulder students who are asymptomatic, as well as students, staff or faculty who receive a “signs detected” monitoring test result and are asymptomatic. Appointments are needed to access the testing site.

This test site will provide only PCR diagnostic tests. It will not provide monitoring tests.

The decision was made to move the test site from the tent outside of Wardenburg to the CASE building in order to provide a comfortable heated space that can remain open during inclement and cold weather. Students who are experiencing symptoms, please make an appointment with the Public Health Clinic at Wardenburg Health Center.

Monitoring testing hours and locations

Sites return to standard hours Monday, Feb. 22

Beginning Feb. 22, the monitoring testing sites at Kittredge Central, the Sustainability Energy & Environment Community (SEEC), Village Center, University Memorial Center (UMC) and Rec Center will resume 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. operating hours, Monday to Friday.

Adjusted availability at four sites ends Feb. 19

Faculty, staff and students looking to complete their regular weekly COVID-19 monitoring tests: four sites will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Feb. 19. These sites include:

Additionally, faculty, staff and students can use the Sustainability, Energy & Environment Community (SEEC) testing location during this site’s current extended hours of operation, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Feb. 19.

These sites are for monitoring testing only, not diagnostic tests. Those seeking testing must bring their Buff OneCard and first complete their Buff Pass. Monitoring tests are free to CU Boulder Buff OneCard holders’ immediate family/household members. Buff OneCard holders must be present at the time of the test.

New start date coming for mobile testing

Due to weather conditions this week, the start of mobile testing has been postponed. A new start date will be announced once the information is finalized.

Monitoring testing reminders

  • There is an option for faculty, staff and students to receive select COVID-19 messages via text message. These messages include reminders about monitoring testing, availability of testing results and more. Visit the COVID-19 Notifications form and enter your mobile number to opt in to this program.
  • A webpage details information about the requirements and expectations for campus participation in the monitoring testing program.

Wastewater testing continues

Wastewater testing at CU Boulder continues to be part of the overall approach to monitoring for the prevalence of COVID-19 on campus. Currently the wastewater test results are used to see if the detected levels of SARS-CoV-2 align with information gathered through both the monitoring saliva test program and diagnostic tests. Through both efforts, wastewater testing and saliva testing, the campus has a way to check and balance the monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 presence. The campus plans to use wastewater testing for as long as conditions indicate a need for it.

Vaccines

On-campus administration

  • The campus did not receive a delivery of vaccines this week. A limited number of second doses will be administered.
  • The Colorado State Joint Information Center released information about how winter storms affecting a vaccine distribution hub in Tennessee delayed vaccine shipments to several states this week, including Colorado.
  • The campus anticipates vaccine supply will increase in the coming weeks and more appointments will become available for faculty, staff and students currently eligible under the state’s phases of eligibility.

Updates to vaccine webpage

  • The campus vaccine webpage has been updated with more information about vaccine eligibility, the notification process, side effects, the reasons the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have two doses and other details to help keep the campus informed.

Current and upcoming phases of eligibility

  • The state released an update to the phases of vaccine eligibility and a vaccine FAQ document (PDF).
  • Individuals in Phase 1A and 1B.1 are currently eligible to receive vaccines. Phase 1B.1 includes Coloradans 70 and older, as well as moderate-risk health care workers and first responders. Phase 1A includes the highest-risk health care workers and long-term care facility staff and residents.
  • Individuals in Phase 1B.2 became eligible on Feb. 8. Phase 1B.2 includes Coloradans ages 65 to 69, as well as Pre-K-12 educators and child care workers in licensed programs. This does not include instructional faculty in higher education.
  • Phase 1B.3 includes frontline essential workers and Coloradans ages 16 to 64 with two or more high-risk conditions. Individuals in Phase 1B.3 are expected to be able to start getting vaccinated in early March, estimated by March 5.
  • Phases 2 and 3 do not have estimated dates of eligibility yet. View more details about the state’s vaccination phases.

Building access

  • With the return to on-campus classes for the spring semester, the university updated its building access protocols to allow all CU students, faculty and staff Buff OneCard holders access to most buildings with scheduled in-person classes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, as of Monday, Feb. 15. 
  • The University Libraries, Recreation Center and UMC publish their respective hours on their websites.
  • Get building access information and see FAQs.

Campus Q&As

  • This week’s Campus Q&A featured discussions on remote learning, safety measures on campus, vaccines and more. A recording of the Feb. 16 session is available online.
  • The Campus Q&A on Tuesday, Feb. 16, featured Chancellor Phil DiStefano, Provost Russ Moore and Chief Operating Officer Pat O’Rourke as panelists.
  • The Campus Q&As are held at noon each Tuesday and continue throughout the spring semester. On Feb. 23, the session will focus on faculty and staff, and on March 2, the session will focus on students and families. The focus of the subsequent sessions for the semester will alternate each week between students/families and faculty/staff.  

Reminders

Campus Public Health Clinic open Saturdays

  • To meet the need for diagnostic testing and other services on Saturdays, the Public Health Clinic at Wardenburg will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Services include: COVID-19 diagnostic testing and in-clinic appointments for COVID-19-like symptoms.
  • To schedule an appointment, please visit the online scheduling portal. You may also call 303-492-5432 to schedule by phone.

Please note: monitoring testing is not conducted through the Public Health Clinic at Wardenburg.

Buff Pass reminder

  • Anyone coming to campus must complete the CU Buff Pass Daily form each day before coming to campus. The Buff Pass replaces the daily health questionnaire used during the fall 2020 semester.
  • Answers to frequently asked questions and contact information for support are available on the Buff Pass Information and FAQ webpage.

State COVID-19 resources

Contact information

  • Available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, contact Buff Info via email or by phone: 303-492-INFO (4636).