Campus Emergency Response Guides and Plans

In the event of a medical emergency on campus: 

1. Dial 9-1-1 from a campus phone or 303-556-5000 from a cell phone to contact Auraria Campus Police.
2. Remain calm and be specific when speaking to police dispatch.
3. Report location of person needing assistance.
4. State that you have a medical emergency and whether an ambulance is needed. Be prepared to give a basic description of the nature of the injury or illness.
5. If trained, begin first aid. Do not move the ill/injured person unless failure to do so would cause further injury and it is safe to do so.
6. If police are not on scene, send someone to direct the emergency responders to the location of the medical emergency

TORNADOES AND SEVERE WEATHER: Do not assume that it is safe if a weather alert (“watch” or “warning”) has not been issued as tornados or other severe weather can crop up at any time. You may be at risk and should prepare to take cover anytime severe weather threatens. Severe weather information may be disseminated through CU Alerts! (the CU Denver Emergency Notification System). If severe weather occurs in the area:

1. Remain calm; do not run or panic.
2. As it is safe to do so, seek shelter in the lowest possible level of the building, in an interior space, away from windows.
3. Wait for the “all-clear” from the fire department, police responders, or the CU Alerts! system before leaving your area of protection.

BLIZZARDS/HEAVY SNOW: The Chancellor (or designee) is responsible for the decision to close any or all campuses or to issue campus advisories. Such decisions will be made for extreme weather conditions that pose an immediate health and/or safety hazard. Notifications of campus closures and/or delays will be transmitted through the CU Alerts! emergency notification system. Campus closure and delay information can also be obtained through the CU Denver / Auraria Campus Information Line at 303-556-2401.

FLOOD: During periods of heavy rain and flash flooding:

1. Be cautious of low-lying areas that may have flash flood conditions; if the road is covered, find an alternate route. If inside a building, evacuate to higher ground immediately if it is safe to do so. Move to higher floors within the building if you are unable to evacuate.
2. Report flooding on or near campus to Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) Police from a campus landline or cell phone at 303-556-5000.

Be aware that floods are usually accompanied by other severe weather conditions.

Emergency Release: Uncontrollable, high toxicity hazard, potential fire/explosion hazard, or unknown substance.  If an emergency release occurs: 

1. Evacuate the immediate area of all personnel.
2. Close the doors to contain the material.
3. Call Denver Police from a safe area campus landline or cell phone at 9-1-1, and provide the dispatcher with any of the following known information:
   1. The exact location of release and the area(s) affected.
   2. Injuries due to exposure, number (and names) of person(s) affected, and conditions/symptoms.
   3. Hazardous product(s) released and amount released.
   4. Where the caller will meet emergency responders and a contact number to reach the caller.

Incidental Release: An incidental release is a spill of known material with low toxicity that can easily controlled with proper protection and equipment available.  Personnel causing the spill will initiate cleanup immediately.  If an incidental release occurs: 

1. Fill out an EHS Incident Report Form and submit to ehs.compliance@ucdenver.edu.  EHS will notify proper university authorities.

For concerns with air quality:

University of Colorado Denver spaces contact Facilities Operations at 303-315-7777

AHEC owned spaces contact AHEC Facilities at 303-556-3260

Upon discovery of a fire at CU Denver, follow the A-RACE actions:

1. ACTIVATE: Pull the nearest fire alarm pull-box (usually at or near an exit door).
2. RESCUE: If safe, assist any injured or disabled persons out of the area. Do not put yourself in danger.
3. ALERT: Notify others in the immediate area. From a safe location, call the Auraria Campus Police department at 303-556-5000 from a campus landline or cell phone at 9-1-1. Give the exact location, what is burning, and your name.
4. CONFINE: Close doors as you exit the fire area.
5. EXTINGUISH and/or EVACUATE: Extinguish the fire, if safe. Otherwise, evacuate the building by following the exit signs to the shortest or safest route, but DO NOT USE ELEVATORS. Assemble at your assigned safe location. Supervisors should try to account for all personnel known to be working in the area of the fire.

Floors/departments may choose to implement a floor warden process in order to assist with evacuation and/or sheltering; communications internally and with first responders; and accountability of students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Floor warden duties should be split between more than one person in order to accomplish these tasks and proper training to staff should be provided.

Report injured, trapped, or unaccounted for persons to fire personnel. DO NOT re-enter the building until alarms have stopped and/or emergency personnel advise you that it is safe to re-enter.

The University Fire & Life Safety Officer may be reached at 303-724-0293.

In the event that a campus or building evacuation is required at CU Denver, move quickly, but in an orderly fashion to the nearest exit. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS.

* It is campus policy to evacuate whenever a fire alarm sounds or when directed by emergency personnel. Once outside of the building:

1. Continue to a safe distance (a minimum of 100 feet or more when directed by emergency personnel).
2. Keep clear of emergency vehicles.
3. Gather at your pre-determined safe location and try to account for all persons who were in your area. If you know of persons who are injured, trapped, or unaccounted for, report that information to emergency responders.
4. Do not leave the campus without notifying your supervisor.
5. Do not re-enter the facility/campus until AHEC or Denver Police (or other emergency responder) indicates that it is safe to do so.

CU Denver | Anschutz Title IX:

Stop sexual assault, sexual harassment & discrimination! If you believe there has been an act of discrimination on the basis of sex against any person or group, contact the university’s Title IX Coordinator at 303-315-2567 or email at equity@ucdenver.edu.

CU Denver | Anschutz CARE Team:

The Campus Assessment, Response & Evaluation (CARE) Team is committed to improving campus safety and student success by proactively and collaboratively managing situations and individuals that pose, or may reasonably pose, a threat to the safety and wellbeing of the campus community. The team coordinates with students, faculty, and staff as well as concerned others, using objective and thoughtful approaches to identifying, assessing, and intervening with individuals of concern.

Faculty and Staff: if you personally need immediate crisis counseling contact the REAL Help Hotline at 833-533-CHAT (2428). If you encounter a student who appears to be exhibiting unusual behavior, contact the CARE team at shareaconcern@ucdenver.edu.

If you encounter a faculty/staff member who is exhibiting unusual behavior, contact the FAST team at 303-315-0182.

Report erratic behavior to the Auraria Police Department at 303-556-5000.

Bomb Threats:

All bomb threats must be considered real until proven otherwise. If you receive a bomb threat:

• Remain calm
• Call Denver Police at 9-1-1 and provide the dispatcher with information including:
  • What the bomb suspect said and a description of the suspect including his/her voice (male/female, excited, angry, etc.).
  • Exact time the bomb threat was made.
  • The reported location and description of the bomb, package, or object.
  • Try to get as much information as possible about the suspect and incident.

If you discover a suspicious package or object, do not touch, or move it. AVOID using a cell phone! Immediately after discovering the suspicious package or object: Dial 9-1-1 or 303-556-5000

These situations are dynamic and evolve rapidly, demanding immediate deployment of law enforcement resources to stop the attack and mitigate harm to additional victims. In general, how you respond to an active harmer incident will be dictated by the specific circumstances of the encounter.

RUN

If there is an accessible escape path, take it and get as far away as possible until you are safe

• Have at least two evacuation routes planned or in mind
• Evacuate even if others don’t follow
• Leave your belongings behind
• Help others escape if possible but do not let others slow you down
• Keep your hands visible and follow instructions from emergency personnel and law enforcement

HIDE

If escape is not possible, find a secure hiding place

• Stay out of harmer’s view
• Lock doors and turn off lights
• Silence cell phones and electronic devices
• Hide behind large items
• Blockade the door if it does not lock
• If escape becomes possible, take it

FIGHT

As a last resort and ONLY if your life is in immediate danger, FIGHT.

• Act as aggressively as possible to disrupt or incapacitate the harmer
• Throw items and use improves weapons (chairs, books, bags)
• Commit to your actions
• If with others, work as a team against the active harmer

For more information on Active Harmer Response Page: Run | Hide | Fight

The CU Denver | Anschutz Emergency Management Division and ACPD Regularly hold in-person and virtual Active Harmer Response Trainings. For more information contact: emergencymgmgt@ucdenver.edu.