What to Expect in the Event of a Snow Closure or Delay

As temperatures drop and occasional wintry blasts loom, we want students, faculty and staff to know expectations for teaching, learning and working if the University of Anschutz Medical Campus is affected by inclement weather.

If extreme weather is predicted and materializes that may significantly impact on-campus operations, as well as travel to and from campus, executive leadership will discuss a possible delay or physical closure considering these and many other factors:

• Weather forecast (amount of snow, winds and other aggravating/mitigating factors).
• Major roadway conditions in the metro area and around campus.
• Status of snow removal operations on campus and the ability to keep up with the predicted levels of snow anticipated that day.
• Area safety conditions

Notifications in the event of a delay or closure will be sent as early as possible, generally prior to 5 a.m. Students should confirm with their school, college or program if their classes will be offered online in the event of a campus closure.

How to stay up to date on weather related closures or delays

In the event of a university campus physical closure, delayed start or early dismissal, you will receive a text message and/or email with current information through the CU Anschutz Alerts system.

You can also find information here:

• Local television and radio stations and their websites.
• CU Anschutz social media channels.
• CU Anschutz emergency information number: 877-INFO-070 (877-463-6070).

Hospitals and campus partners

If the university operations at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus are delayed or closed, it affects all operations at our university facilities on campus. It’s important to note that it does not affect hospital operations or CU Medicine and other clinical external sites of practice. University of Colorado Hospital, Children’s Hospital Colorado and other clinical site operations are normal unless otherwise announced by those facilities. Students, faculty and staff assigned to work in the hospitals or any clinical sites must report to work unless the clinic/hospital announces a change in operations.

Essential Employees

Certain essential employees – police personnel, safety, medical, information technology, administrative and critical facilities personnel – may be required to report to campus, even in the event of a snow closure. Employees will be made aware in advance of their essential status.

Employees not designated as essential are expected to work remotely to the greatest extent possible during a snow closure. If employees are unable to perform their duties remotely or they need to care for children, family members or have other commitments, they can work with their supervisor to take vacation leave to accommodate needs. See the updated Sick Leave Policy here. For descriptions of essential employees during campus closures, see here.