COVID-19 Policies, Topics & FAQs

It is at this time unclear when additional teams/units will be invited to return to campus. Any working and learning activity that can be effectively accomplished remotely, should continue to be done remotely. CU Anschutz is committed to bringing more people and activity back to campus as soon as it can be done safely.

Find information on parking and shuttle services on the facilities management website.

Yes, the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center is open for general gym use, but reservations are required and screening protocols are in place. Learn more here.

Yes. The University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz has been disbursing CARES Act funding to students since May 1. The Financial Aid webpage provides details on how to apply. Read the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Disclosure for more information on these funds and how they were distributed.

The 2020-2021 FAFSA is available now, and more information is on the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office website.

While on campus, contractors and vendors must follow the same Return to Campus protocols set forth for our faculty, students, staff, and community.

If the vendor has an active badge, each person representing that vendor who is visiting campus must:

• Complete the daily health questionnaire every day they plan to be on campus. This must be completed before entering any buildings or doing any exterior work on campus. 
• Wear a mask/face covering at all times while on campus. 
  • Masks/face coverings will not be provided – vendors must provide their own.
• When you arrive on campus, immediately go to a Campus Check-In Location.
  • At the screening checkpoint, you will:
    • Show your email confirmation of having completed the daily health questionnaire (or scan the QR code at the screening location to access and fill out the form).
    • Get a temperature check.
    • Receive a wristband granting access to campus for the day.

Active badges have been approved only for vendors/companies that have provided their COVID-19 plans to CU Anschutz leadership for evaluation.

If the vendor does not have an active badge, the sponsoring department must:

Assign someone from their unit (who has been invited and approved for on-campus activity) to escort the vendor during the entirety of their time on campus. This includes:

• Ensuring each person representing the vendor fill out the daily health questionnaire each day they are on campus. This must be completed before the vendor may enter any buildings or do any exterior work on campus.
  • Vendors should check the “Other (Visitor)” box on the questionnaire.
• Ensuring the contractor(s) wear a mask at all times while on campus.
  • Masks/face coverings will not be provided – contractors must provide their own.
• Escorting them through the on-campus screening process at a Campus Check-In Location:
  • Show the vendor’s email confirmation of having completed the daily health questionnaire (or have them scan the QR code at the screening location to access and fill out the form).
  • Get a temperature check.
  • Receive a wristband granting vendor access (with escort) to campus for the day.

Vendors without active badges may submit a copy of their company’s COVID-19 plans – outlining the company’s health screening protocols, how they manage staff who are exposed or exhibiting symptoms, etc –  to XXXX for evaluation and approval by CU Anschutz leadership.  

Click here for more information and a List of Approved Contractors.

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

This FAQ addresses common questions about self-reporting, notification processes and contact tracing protocols at CU Anschutz. 

This guide helps students, faculty and staff understand what to do in these scenarios.

If you are symptomatic, you should do the following:

• Let your supervisor or professor know, go home and isolate, and submit a CU Anschutz self-report form.
• Please notify Occupational Health at 303-724-4663, in order to initiate contact tracing.
• For help with evaluation and testing, faculty and staff should call Occupational Health at 303-724-4663. Students should call the Campus Health Center at 303-724-6242.
• Per CDPHE, if you have COVID-19 symptoms, you are encouraged to contact your primary care provider and to get a free test at approved Colorado community testing sites. Check testing site details for whether an appointment or doctor’s note is required. If you do not have a primary care provider, please call the Campus Health Center (303-724-6242).
• DO NOT call 911 or go to an emergency room unless you are having a medical emergency. For COVID-19, that means severe respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath or breathing difficulties.
• DO call 911 or go to an emergency room if you are experiencing severe symptoms or a medical emergency. Tell the dispatcher your symptoms.
• CDPHE recommends that you self-isolate if you have a positive COVID-19 test, have symptoms of COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19. Unless you are tested and confirmed to be negative for COVID-19, you should assume that what you have is COVID-19, and self-isolate until:
  • You have had no fever for at least 24 hours (that is 1 full day of no fever without the use of fever-reducing medication like Tylenol and/or Ibuprofen) AND
  • Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
  • At least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared

Employees who are well, but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 (or any other acute respiratory illness) should notify their supervisor and refer to the CDC’s guidance on precautions for caring for a sick family member or partner. The university’s Occupational Health Program is available to assist with this assessment by contacting Cody Coburn.

• Cody Coburn, University Occupational Health Manager at cody.coburn@cuanschutz.edu or 303-724-4663

Th coronavirus website contains information and FAQs on mask wearing, hygiene, physical distancing, screening process and other protocols in place for approved on-campus activity.

Please see this graphic to determine when to return to work after illness.

All in-person, university-sponsored events and official functions are suspended through at least December 31, 2020. Plans for December commencement and award ceremonies are under evaluation.

Hold all meetings of any size remotely, rather than in person, even when attendees are on campus. Do not gather, meet or congregate at any time, inside or outside.

All room requests through spring 2021 are centrally managed, with priority given to in-person student and trainee learning activities that cannot be conducted remotely. Meeting spaces and classrooms not accounted for in approved return to campus plans should be a rare exception.

Those seeking an exception for room reservations must submit this application form. You must receive official approval before EMS reservations will be confirmed. Those approved may receive a reservation for a room different from the specific space requested.

Building diagrams and occupancy maps are available here.

Contact events@cuanschutz.edu with questions.

If you are symptomatic, you should do the following:

• Let your supervisor or professor know, go home and isolate, and submit a CU Anschutz self-report form.
• Please notify Occupational Health at 303-724-4663, in order to initiate contact tracing.
• For help with evaluation and testing, faculty and staff should call Occupational Health at 303-724-4663. Students should call the Campus Health Center at 303-724-6242.
• Per CDPHE, if you have COVID-19 symptoms, you are encouraged to contact your primary care provider and to get a free test at approved Colorado community testing sites. Check testing site details for whether an appointment or doctor’s note is required. If you do not have a primary care provider, please call the Campus Health Center (303-724-6242).
• DO NOT call 911 or go to an emergency room unless you are having a medical emergency. For COVID-19, that means severe respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath or breathing difficulties.
• DO call 911 or go to an emergency room if you are experiencing severe symptoms or a medical emergency. Tell the dispatcher your symptoms.
• CDPHE recommends that you self-isolate if you have a positive COVID-19 test, have symptoms of COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19. Unless you are tested and confirmed to be negative for COVID-19, you should assume that what you have is COVID-19, and self-isolate until:
  • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is 3 full days of no fever without the use of fever-reducing medication like Tylenol and/or Ibuprofen) AND
  • Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
  • At least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared

Yes, you can find mental health resources on the COVID-19 Support website and the HR website. In addition, CU Anschutz faculty and staff can access comprehensive, confidential mental health services at the new Faculty and Staff Mental Health Clinic.

Students, faculty and staff who believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 or have tested positive are to report that status. CU Anschutz will work with public health authorities if there is danger of significant exposure to individuals who were in direct contact in the workplace with anyone who has reported a positive COVID-19 test result. CU Anschutz is prohibited by law from sharing the content of any reports, including the name of the individual who made the report. Learn more here.

Find an overview on PPE ordering, shipping and procurement here.

Contact your supervisor/unit head, and your unit’s HR business partner, with concerns about returning to campus.

You may also visit our workplace adjustment webpage to learn about our process for responding to concerns and access our form for requests related to current work arrangements.

If you are high-risk or uncomfortable returning to work, please contact your supervisor/unit head, and your unit’s HR business partner.

You may also visit our workplace adjustment webpage to learn about our process for responding to concerns and access our form for requests related to current work arrangements.

While limited mask supplies are available at campus check-in locations, you should bring your own face covering or mask with you every day. Wearing a mask is mandatory at all times, indoors and outdoors. The only exceptions are when you are working alone in a completely enclosed indoor workspace (with a ceiling, 4 walls, and a closed door), or when you are 6 feet or more from all others when outdoors. PPE is provided in some clinical settings. See CDC guidance on masks.

*This exception does not apply in the Strauss Health Sciences Library, where masks are required at all times, even when alone in a study room or other enclosed space.

A homemade cloth mask or other facial covering is acceptable, as long as it covers your nose and mouth. Please note you must wear your face covering or mask at all times, indoors and outdoors. The only exception is when you are working alone in a completely enclosed indoor workspace (with a ceiling, 4 walls, and a closed door), or when you are 6 feet or more from all others when outdoors. A face shield is not an acceptable substitute. View CU Anschutz face mask guidance, and learn more on the CDC website.

*This exception does not apply in the Strauss Health Sciences Library, where masks are required at all times, even when alone in a study room or other enclosed space.

Yes, wear your mask or face covering at all times when indoors on campus. This includes hallways, elevators, breakrooms, restrooms and all other public indoor spaces.

The only exception is when you are working alone in a completely enclosed workspace (with a ceiling, four walls, and a closed door). 

• This exception does not apply in the Strauss Health Sciences Library, where masks are required at all times, even when alone in a study room or other enclosed space.
• Cubicles and open-air offices/laboratories are not completely enclosed, so you must wear a mask at all times when in such workspaces, even when workstations are spaced 6 feet or more from others.
• If you are working alone in a completely enclosed workspace and another person enters the room, you must put your mask back on.

Yes, you are encouraged to wear your mask or face covering outdoors on campus at all times. It is permissible to remove your mask only when you are able to safely keep at least 6 feet from all other people. This includes parking lots, walkways, public transportation/shuttle bus waiting areas and all other outdoor campus spaces.

You must wear a mask when entering or exiting a dining space or breakroom. When seated, you may remove your mask to eat and drink, but must put it back on when you stand up to use the restroom or to leave. If dining outdoors, ensure you are at least 6 feet from others before removing your mask to eat or drink. See CDPHE’s guidance on dining.

Wash your hands frequently when putting on and taking off your mask, and avoid touching your face covering unnecessarily. Launder or discard and replace your mask daily. See CDPHE mask guidance for more tips.

You will receive detailed instructions from your supervisor/unit head or COVID official detailing building entry protocols. Exterior and interior signage is in place to help you navigate, and check-in site locations and hours are listed on the coronavirus website.

You will receive detailed instructions from your supervisor/unit head or COVID official detailing protocols for return and any unit-specific guidelines.

After entering through a designated screening point, make your way to your workspace directly, and minimize unnecessary travel within and between campus buildings. Should you need access to facilities in another area for essential work-related purposes, let your supervisor/unit head and COVID official know.

Detailed plans for each floor and work area have been developed, and some workspaces and common areas reconfigured to align with physical distancing requirements. Research labs and workspaces are to be configured to allow for 120 square feet per person for those actively working in one area.

Yes. Your supervisor/unit head and COVID official have centralized cleaning supplies available for check out, and have posted cleaning guidelines for you to follow.

Yes. Completing the questionnaire before arrival is a daily requirement. You can access it through this easy-access link daily prior to arrival on campus, or scan the QR code posted at check-in locations to access. The questionnaire asks the following:  

• Your planned check-in location
• Where you will spend the bulk of your time
• Whether you’ve had symptoms, as outlined by the CDC, in the last 72 hours
• Whether you’ve had unprotected contact or are caring for someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 30 days
• Whether you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
  

Once you complete the daily questionnaire, you receive a confirmation email showing whether you are approved for entry. Show that email to the screener at the check-point and you will be quickly on your way.

Details on janitorial services and protocols, as well as hand sanitizer stations and other available resources for cleaning on the facilities management website.

Contractor/vendor access and approved contractor information is available here.

CO-HELP is Colorado’s call line for the novel coronavirus. People who have general questions about COVID-19 can call CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911, for answers in many languages, or email them at COHELP@RMPDC.org for answers in English. You can also go to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s COVID-19 website.

Learn about the statewide guidance on Colorado's COVID-19 website.

All non-essential university-related domestic and international travel is suspended through at least December 31, 2020. Only absolutely essential domestic business travel may be considered for an exception. See your supervisor/unit head with requests for exceptions, which are subject to review by school/college deans or the vice chancellor for administrative areas. Requests for same-day, in-state travel may be reviewed by your department/unit head.

If you have received approval for vacation leave in which you plan to travel, even domestically, please understand that the nature of travel restrictions and self-quarantine may change quickly.

We encourage you to consider your health and the health of those around you before returning for approved on-campus activity. If upon your return your work duties cannot be performed remotely and you need to stay home to quarantine, you will need to take leave to accommodate that situation. If you do plan to travel, see the CDC’s COVID-19 Travel Guidance.

• Carefully monitor your health status. If you were exposed to someone who is COVID-19 positive, or if you show COVID-19-like symptoms, contact your medical provider immediately, let your supervisor/unit head know, and submit a self-report. You may be required to take additional steps, including possible quarantine.
• Work remotely and practice physical distancing whenever possible.
• If returning from international travel, the CDC recommends that you stay at home as much as possible for 14 days upon return, consider getting tested and avoid close contact with people who are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19.