Test of alert system set for Jan. 20: What you need to know
As part of the continuous assessment of protocols and procedures, campus officials will test the Boulder alerts system at approximately 12:15 p.m. (MST) on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
The annual testing, required by a federal law known as theClery Act, involves checking the university’s systems for sending text messages, emails, social media posts, computer desktop alerts, push notifications to the Boulder Safe app and website announcements. Boulder conducts alert tests each semester to ensure the university stays current with best practices and maintains readiness to respond in case of emergencies.
Before the Jan. 20 test, students, faculty and staff members should check their Buff Portal or MyInfo accounts to make sure their contact information is up to date.
The information below outlines how to ensure you receive emergency notifications, the types of emergency notifications the campus provides, and how to stay informed about off-campus incidents.
How to receive Boulder alerts
Boulder Safe app
Boulder also offers the Boulder Safe app, a centralized place to receive campus alerts, access safety tools and learn how the university communicates during emergencies.
The app includes an in-app Safety Toolbox with alerts training videos and resources that explain Boulder’s three levels of alerts: Emergency Alerts to keep you safe, Safety Alerts to help you be aware and Advisories to keep you informed.
Community members are encouraged to visit theresources page to better understand alert types, what actions to take and how the university shares critical safety information. The Boulder Safe app is available for download on and.
Students should consult the. Faculty, staff and others with university email accounts (colorado.edu) can consult the. Boulder employees can nowopt to receive alerts in languages other than English. This service isalso available to students.
Boulder partners who have cu.edu, cufund.org, cusys.edu, ucdenver.edu or cuanschutz.edu email domains must register and maintain their information on the Boulder.
Affiliates who are not students, faculty or staff and do not have a email domain can opt in to receive Boulder text alerts by texting“cuaffiliate” to 67283. Registration expires one year after opting in and must be renewed annually. You may text“STOP” at any time to 67283 to be removed. As a member of Boulder Alerts, you will receive text notifications for campuswide events.
If there is a true ongoing campus threat to personal safety or a campus closure, a campuswide alert will be sent using one or more of the available communication methods. Text messaging is the preferred method, as it reaches the most individuals in the least amount of time.
After the scheduled test, if you believe you should have received an alert and did not, or if you need help signing up for the system, please email theEmergency Managementteam.
What are Emergency Alerts?
Boulder issues emergency notifications, called Emergency Alerts, to the campus community when there is a confirmed immediate threat to the safety of those on ornear campus, particularly in areas with high student populations.
Such threats may include an active harmer, a natural disaster, severe weather or other time-sensitive life safety concerns. Emergency Alerts can also be used in the event of campus closures or delayed starts.
Other notifications: Safety Alerts and Advisories
The university usesthree levels of emergency notification.
In addition to Emergency Alerts, campus officials issue Safety Alerts (timely warnings) in accordance with the
For non-immediate threats or incidents that may impact daily life on campus, Boulder issues Advisories.
What about off-campus emergencies?
Campus community members who live off campus or spend significant time off campus may want to stay informed about nearby incidents and safety concerns.This article explains how the university responds to off-campus incidents in areas with high student populations and provides guidance on staying informed.
The city of Boulder and Boulder County distribute emergency alerts through a system called(Everbridge). Community members with Boulder addresses areautomatically enrolled. Those who live outside Boulder but want to receive alerts separately.
The university encourages all community members to follow and on X (formerly Twitter). The Boulder Police Department is part of theDivision of Public Safety.
The Boulder Police Department and Boulder Fire-Rescue also maintain social media channels for nonemergency information. Local news media can also be a reliable resource, particularly when misinformation is circulating.
For more information about emergency management at Boulder, visit theEmergency Management website oremail the team. Emergency Management also provides a list ofcommon emergency definitions, which is linked on the Boulder Alerts website.