Published: Jan. 27, 2022

In this issue

In-person instruction resumed on Jan. 24. This weekly update via CU Boulder Today is slated for at least the first two weeks of in-person instruction for the semester, or through Feb. 3. Information will also continue to be shared on the campus COVID-19 information page.

Updated mask recommendations and distribution

The current Boulder County Public Health recommendations include wearing a snugly fit surgical mask, N95 or KN95 when possible, though cloth masks that comply with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mask guidance meet campus requirements and county requirements for indoor mask compliance. 

To help campus affiliates meet public health recommendations, CU Boulder has a stock of N95 and KN95 masks that the university began distributing to students, faculty and staff on Friday, Jan. 21:

  • Masks can be picked up at any reception desk at the University Memorial Center (UMC), Center for Community (C4C), Student Recreation Center and Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE) buildings. They are also available at the east loading dock of the Sustainability, Energy and Environment Community (SEEC).
  • Masks may be picked up between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays. 
  • Students, faculty and staff members may pick up two masks each at this time. 
  • Building proctors/managers have also received direct communications about how they can order large quantities of masks for their buildings.  

For more information on mask distribution on campus, including how to properly fit a mask, read CU Boulder distributing N95, KN95 masks to students, faculty, staff.

Note: CU Boulder’s mask requirement for classrooms and indoor public spaces on campus remains in place. Exemptions can be applied for through the campus Public Health Office

What to do if someone isn’t wearing a mask

CU Boulder’s mask requirement page includes guidance on compliance and what to do if a student, employee or campus visitor is not wearing a mask.

How to stay informed

The Buff Info team is available to answer questions on a wide variety of topics related to CU Boulder and help faculty, staff, students and parents connect with the appropriate campus office for additional information or assistance as needed.

Buff Info liaisons can be reached at 303-492-INFO (4636), through Live Chat or via email at buffinfo@colorado.edu, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The university will extend these hours when needed.


 View prior updates

COVID-19 vaccine boosters requirement

To comply with CU Boulder’s updated COVID-19 guidance, members of the campus community are required to receive a vaccine booster shot by Feb. 24 or five months after receiving the final dose of the original series, whichever is later.

Regarding booster requirement exemptions:

  • There are no predetermined medical exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccination booster requirement. However, individuals who previously received a COVID-19 vaccination can file a medical or moral/ethical exemption and still be in compliance with the university’s vaccination reporting requirement if the exemption is filed by Feb. 24. 
  • Individuals who previously submitted an exemption do not need to take further action at this time and will be considered in compliance with current university vaccine reporting requirements. 
  • Students, faculty and staff must upload proof of boosters or file for an exemption based on medical, ethical or moral grounds through the MyCUHealth portal.

Students, staff and faculty will not get a confirmation email that proof of vaccination or vaccine exemption was successfully submitted. Rather, immunizations compliance staff will contact you if any additional information is required. 

For more information, please visit our COVID-19 vaccine requirements and process page. Questions can also be directed to Buff Info by calling 303-492-INFO (4636), emailing BuffInfo@colorado.edu or via live chat

If a student receives a COVID-19 diagnosis

  • Please contact Contact Tracing to get information specific to your circumstances. 
  • Absences due to COVID-19 or isolation will be treated by faculty as a medical absence. 

If a faculty or staff member receives a COVID-19 diagnosis

If a student notifies a faculty member of a diagnosis

  • Encourage students to email Contact Tracing. Contact Tracing will confirm a positive result with public health officials and follow up with the student with next steps. Contact tracers will also notify those who have been impacted. Faculty members can review Answers to Common COVID-19 Questions for more information.

Returning to class/work following a diagnosis

COVID-19 dashboard

In general, dashboard information is updated by 8 a.m. each day, Tuesday through Saturday, with results from the previous day of testing. There may be periodic updates at other times to reflect new information. Details from the fall 2020, spring 2021 and fall 2021 semesters have been archived.

The dashboard page contains:

  • A daily summary.
  • COVID-19 vaccination data.
  • On-campus PCR diagnostic test results.
  • Weekly totals from a variety of data.

Note: On Jan. 10, CU Boulder announced updated COVID-19 guidance requiring that members of the campus community receive a vaccine booster shot by Feb. 24 or five months after receiving the final dose of the original series, whichever is later. The dashboard will begin incorporating booster data as we near the Feb. 24 deadline.

How to stay informed

The Buff Info team is available to answer questions on a wide variety of topics related to CU Boulder and help faculty, staff, students and parents connect with the appropriate campus office for additional information or assistance as needed.

Buff Info liaisons can be reached at 303-492-INFO (4636), through Live Chat or via email at buffinfo@colorado.edu, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.  The university will extend these hours when needed.