commuter lounge

Published: Jan. 2, 2024

Whether you live five minutes or 20 miles from campus, here are some tips to help you enhance your commute to campus. 

Join the Commuting Buffs community 

The Commuting Buffs Program supports students who commute to campus and first-year students living off campus to help build community at CU Boulder.  

Here are resources offered for commuting students: 

  • The Commuter Lounge opened in the spring of 2023 as a place to relax, find amenities, study and spend time with other students. Amenities include free coffee, printing, refrigerator access, lockers, lounge space and more. The Commuter Lounge is in the University Memorial Center (UMC) 102, down the hallway from The Connection. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The hours are subject to staff availability. 
  • Commuter peer mentors serve as student leaders, helping first-year off-campus and commuter students transition to CU Boulder. The mentors are CU Boulder students who have previously or currently commute to campus. These students understand the commuter experience and know how to navigate campus and surrounding areas. The commuter peer mentors can offer encouragement and help connect students with opportunities to get involved at CU. 
  • The Commuting Buffs Program helps first-year off-campus and commuter students engage with resources, events, student organizations and other programs. First-year commuting students are automatically signed up, but all undergraduate commuter students can join the Commuting Buffs Program. When commuting students join the community, they gain access to the Commuter Lounge, receive monthly newsletters, participate in Commuting Buffs events and more. 

If you have questions about joining Commuting Buffs, email commutingbuffs@colorado.edu

Getting around Boulder 

All enrolled CU students and benefited employees can use your Buff OneCard to access RTD bus and rail routes, including routes to Denver International Airport. 

Learn more about how to ride the bus or find a park-n-ride near you. Here are a few more tips for riding the bus: 

  • HOP buses operate routes in Boulder. 
  • RTD offers rail and bus routes in Denver and from Denver to other regional areas. 
  • Download the Transit app for real-time transit information. 

Commuting by bike is an excellent way to get around campus and Boulder. If you plan to use your personal 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. Boulder's bike-sharing program, BCycle, offers electric assist bikes around town. As a student, you get a free BCycle membership through the Environmental Center—follow these instructions to get your membership