CU Boulder To Require Masks Indoors Beginning August 13

CU Boulder will officially require all individuals to wear masks in public indoor spaces -  regardless of vaccination status - beginning Friday, Aug. 13.

On Tuesday (Aug. 10), the University of Colorado at Boulder announced that the university will return to requiring masks in all public indoor spaces, as per the latest public health recommendations.

Get our free mobile app

"Considering the increasing rates of the COVID-19 delta variant, this decision was made to support the public health and safety of our community and support a consistent in-person experience this semester", said a letter via CU's Pandemic Response Office, which was addressed to CU students, faculty, and staff on Tuesday afternoon.

As per the letter, campus officials consulted with local public health officials regarding the conditions in the Boulder community prior to reinstating a mask mandate.

The mask requirement "is a temporary precaution" in response to the surge of the COVID-19 delta variant; beginning this Friday, the following rules will go into effect (as per CU's letter):

• All individuals must wear a face covering at CU Boulder when engaged in classroom instruction, laboratory work, academic advising or other activities in any publicly accessible indoor space on campus.
• Activities performed in indoor spaces that are not publicly accessible (e.g., residence halls, private offices, controlled-access facilities, etc.) are not subject to this requirement, although public health officials strongly recommend all unvaccinated persons wear a face covering in both public and non-public indoor spaces whenever possible.
• Masks will continue to be required on Buff Buses in line with Regional Transportation District practices.

Anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a mask is encouraged to do so even in settings where masks are not required.

As for exceptions to the new mask mandate, children ages 2 and under and individuals who cannot medically tolerate a face covering are exempt from this requirement. Other exceptions to the mandate can be found here.

In addition, all CU students, faculty and staff must submit their COVID-19 vaccine information to meet the University's vaccine requirement by Sept. 15, 2021. The CU Boulder COVID-19 vaccination page includes instructions to fulfill the requirements, and also includes information on prizes for getting the vaccine, and details on where you can get the vaccine.

For more information regarding the newly announced mask mandate and the upcoming 2021-2022 school year, visit colorado.edu.