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Campus observing normal operating hours

Should an emergency arise, this page will be updated with relevant information.

Emergency: 911 (Call or Text)
CU Boulder Police Department
303-492-6666

 

CU Advisory: Wind event March 14, 2026

[9:05 a.m. | Mar. 15, 2026] 

CU Advisory: CU Boulder is operating under normal spring break hours following the recent high‑wind event.

No sustained power outages were reported on campus. Facilities and safety teams will continue to address any remaining localized impacts.

Community members are encouraged to remain alert for residual debris, downed branches, or isolated facilities issues, and to report concerns to the Operations Control Center (OCC) at 303‑492‑5522.

Updates will be shared via alerts.colorado.edu and the CU Boulder Safe App, which is available to all students, faculty and staff.

[7:21 p.m. | Mar. 14, 2026] 

CU Advisory: Strong winds are expected to continue through the evening hours as a cold front moves through the Boulder area. At this time, no sustained power outages have been reported on the CU Boulder campus. Earlier today, Xcel Energy implemented a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) due to the National Weather Service’s Red Flag Warning from high winds and low humidity. Overnight, CU Boulder leaders continue to monitor high winds and the potential risk for outages. 

Community members are encouraged to keep devices charged. In the event of an outage, Boulder County charging locations for personal and medical devices are listed at boulder.odm.gov 

If your presence is not essential, you are encouraged to stay off campus. For those who must be on campus:

  • If you are unable to access a campus building, contact the CUPD non-emergency line at 303-492-6666.
  • Report broken tree branches or facilities impacts to the Operations Control Center (OCC) at 303-492-5522.
  • If you see a downed power line, stay at least 30 feet away, assume it's live and dangerous, and immediately call 911 to report it as an electrical emergency.
  • Be advised that internet access should remain active as long as there is power to campus. 

For additional resources, follow or sign up for alerts from the below agencies to stay up to date on information:

Updates will be shared via alerts.colorado.edu, and the CU Boulder Safe App, which is available to all students, faculty and staff. 

 

12:35 p.m. | Mar. 14, 2026]

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag warning from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with wind gusts of more than 65 mph peaking between 2 and 6 p.m.

Xcel has a planned Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) (outage map) beginning at 2 p.m. and ending at 5 p.m. due to the forecasted high winds and low humidity in the Boulder area. Outages can extend well beyond the 5 p.m. timeframe. Campus leadership is coordinating closely with Xcel to monitor developments. 

The CU Boulder areas anticipated to lose power are the Grandview area, buildings north of University Avenue and a few buildings north of Boulder Creek, but the outage could extend to other areas across campus. While campus is observing normal spring break hours, if your presence on campus is not essential you are encouraged to stay off campus. 

For those who must be on campus:

  • If you are unable to access a campus building, contact the CUPD non-emergency line at 303-492-6666.
  • Report broken tree branches or facilities impacts to the Operations Control Center (OCC) at 303-492-5522.
  • Be advised that internet access should remain active as long as there is power to campus. 

The winds may cause power outages and other disruptions. Keep your devices charged and follow or sign up for alerts from the below agencies to stay up to date on information:

Updates will be shared via alerts.colorado.edu, and the CU Boulder Safe App, which is available to all students, faculty and staff. 

 

[5:13 p.m. | Friday March 13, 2026]

CU Boulder has been notified that Xcel energy will implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14, due to forecasted high winds and low humidity in the Boulder area. Xcel’s power outage map currently includes the CU Boulder campus in the PSPS geography, and campus leadership is coordinating closely with Xcel to monitor developments. University leadership anticipates receiving confirmation of whether any portions of campus will be impacted by the PSPS tomorrow, March 14, and will communicate any updates via alerts.colorado.edu, social media, and the CU Boulder Safe App, which is available to all students, faculty, and staff.

The PSPS comes as the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Red Flag warning for much of the Colorado Front Range, including Boulder, for Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The NWS forecasts sustained wind at 20 to 30 mph with gusts between 35 and 50 mph. 

While campus will be observing normal spring break hours tomorrow, if your presence on campus is not essential you are encouraged to stay off campus. 

The winds may cause power outages and other disruptions. Keep your devices charged and follow or sign up for alerts from the below agencies to stay up to date on information:

For disaster preparedness tips, please visit the Boulder ODM preparedness webpage.

Additional information on what to do during a power outage.