Most CU Boulder students, faculty and staff members are aware of the university’s alerts website, which outlines the three levels of notifications that can be sent, depending on the nature, location and severity of an incident. 

The website also outlines how to receive alerts, which can differ depending upon the type of alert that is sent. 

The bottom line: Not all notifications are sent via text message. However, the university acknowledges that many members of the campus community say they want more text alerts during emergencies or other situations that can impact campus community members. 

There is a way to receive push notifications by following CU Boulder Alerts on X (formerly Twitter) and enabling push notifications. 

You can also follow the University of Colorado Police Department (CUPD) on X, to receive the latest safety alert information, plus safety tips, resources and more. 

Here’s a quick review of the notification levels, when the university sends each type of notification, and how to receive each type of notification. So you are aware, all alert levels will appear on the alerts website during and immediately after incidents, and are also archived. 

CU Emergency Alerts, notifications that are sent when there is a confirmed and immediate threat to the safety of those on campus, or when there is a change to the university’s operating status, are shared several ways: via email to everyone with a colorado.edu email address, via text to those who have added their cellphone number to receive text alerts and via the CUPD and CU Boulder Alerts X accounts. They also appear on the alerts website.

CU Safety Alerts, notifications to the campus community of crimes committed on or near campus, per Clery Act guidelines, are sent to everyone with a colorado.edu email address. They also appear on the alerts website. 

CU Advisories are sent for incidents that do not rise to the level of a CU Emergency Alert or a CU Safety Alert but are still of interest to the campus community. CU Advisories are sent for incidents both on and off campus that could potentially impact campus operations or activities, including police activity near campus, traffic issues or extended power outages. CU Advisories are posted via social media on the CUPD and CU Boulder Alerts X accounts. They are also posted on the alerts website.

What about notifications for incidents that occur off campus? If you're in Boulder regularly, sign up for city of Boulder alerts to ensure you’re receiving the latest emergency updates as they happen.

The Boulder Office of Disaster Management distributes emergency alerts for significant incidents, including natural disasters, via a system called Everbridge. Community members with Boulder addresses are automatically opted-into the Everbridge system. Those who live outside of Boulder but want to be aware of emergency notifications in the area must sign up for BoCo Alerts.

Want one more way to receive notifications? Download the Guardian mobile safety app. It provides an additional way to receive alerts.