The CU icon—also known as the interlocking CU— is the cornerstone of our visual identity system, and a consistent element in all CU visual expressions across our four campuses and initiatives.

Color Icon:

1-Color Icon:

When used on its own, the CU icon identifies a CU System entity, communication or initiative. Use of the CU icon without a campus identifier is not acceptable for campus, school or unit-level communications, marketing or advertising. Below are the acceptable uses of the CU icon on its own:

Approved Uses	Unacceptable Uses
CU System identification	To identify campus-specific locations, entities, programs, initiatives or events
Lapel pins	As a watermark or background image
Small imprint/limited embroidery areas (hats, ties, thumb drives, select apparel)	As a repeating pattern or texture (bookstore/retail items excluded)
Office/desktop nameplates	As design or art element in any print or electronics application (brochures, posters, fliers, online ads)
Large, exterior building signs (Design Review Board approval required)	Combined with other logos or graphics

 

The University of Colorado system uses two versions of its seal: the official seal (with our official creed displayed in Greek) and the commercial seal (with our creed displayed in English). Use of both is limited, and subject to the approval processes outlined below.

Official Seal

The official seal is reserved for diplomas, official transcripts, records and admissions documents; written agreements and contracts; and certification of Board of Regents actions.

It is also used on the president’s chain of office, the university mace, commencement programs, regent regalia, and Board of Regents publications and associated collateral.

Use of the official seal for purposes other than those described above is expressly prohibited, and requires formal approval from the secretary of the Board of Regents.

Commercial Seal

The commercial seal has limited application and is used primarily for approved signage and podiums, as well as select promotional items and laboratory coats for CU physicians and researchers.

It may not be substituted for approved university logos on official stationery, marketing collateral, advertising, web pages, electronic applications, general signage, vehicles or apparel.

All other uses of the commercial university seal must receive advance approval from the campus brand manager.

A small number of entities at the university operate under the auspices of, or in conjunction with, external entities (such as the federal government). In select cases, these units may be eligible to combine the external entity’s logo with the university logo in an intentional, brand-supportive format.

Co-branding Eligibility

1. The group must have a permanent, long- standing contractual connection establishing them as a joint entity between the university and an outside party, or be an official university institute founded and recognized by the CU Board of Regents.
2. The group must justify how the use of a co-branded logo will benefit their business objectives over that of a standard CU logo.
3. The group must receive a co-branding recommendation from their director, their dean (when applicable) and the chancellor.
4. The group must submit a formal proposal detailing the elements above to the CU Brand Identity Standards Board. The board ultimately approves or denies all University of Colorado co-branding requests.

General Guidelines for Co-branded Entities

• Once approved, co-branded logos may be used for marketing, communications and promotional purposes—including on university stationery.
• Co-branded logos can be used with or without an accompanying wordmark identifying the entity and/or university.
• In all other aspects (size, clear space, unacceptable use, etc.) co-branded logos follow the same usage guidelines as for standard university logos.

Approved Co-branding Examples:

 

CU schools and colleges that have been renamed to acknowledge a donor or philanthropic gift may use a slightly customized version of the standard unit logo signature, with the donor name highlighted.

In all other respects, named school logos follow the same rules and guidelines for logo use. This approach applies to donor-named schools and colleges only. Named units, centers and programs are not eligible for this treatment.

Transitioning from a standard to named school logo requires advance approval from the CU Brand Identity Standards Board.

Named School Logo Examples:

 

In certain cases, CU Anschutz schools, colleges and units may require further differentiation from the primary campus logo. In these cases—subject to the eligibility requirements at right—a logo signature extension may be used.

Unit logos should be used sparingly, and only when the need to communicate the unit identity is greater than that of the university. When in doubt, use the primary CU Anschutz logo.

Custom logos and graphic marks are not permitted for school or unit identification. For more information, see logo policy.

Our logos were created as single, unified graphics. Never separate, retype, replace, reposition, distort or add elements to them.

Unit Logo Examples:

Logos for our clinics and patient-focused units and centers follow the same guidelines as for CU Anschutz units, with one exception.

Clinics and patient-focused sites located off campus are not required to include the term “Anschutz Medical Campus” beneath their name. This helps alleviate any audience confusion for those clinics located throughout the state.

Clinics and patient-focused sites located on campus follow the standard guidelines for unit logo extensions, including the listing of campus affiliation. See Unit logos above for more information.

Custom logos and graphic marks are not permitted for school or unit identification. For more information, see Custom logos below.

Our logos were created as single, unified graphics. Never separate, retype, replace, reposition, distort or add elements to them.

On-Campus Clinic Logo

Off-Campus Clinic Logo

The brand equity for our university and associated schools, colleges and units is built upon their affiliation with CU Anschutz Medical Campus and the University of Colorado system.

The development or use of custom-designed logos or graphic symbols for identification are expressly prohibited for all CU academic, administrative, research and clinical units and groups.

More information can be found in CU System Administrative Policy Statement 2025, “University Brand Identity and Trademarks.”

For approved school, college and unit logo designs, see Unit logos above. For other examples of unapproved use, see Unacceptable logo further up on the page.

If your unit employs a custom logo, contact brand@cuanschutz.edu immediately to begin the transition process.

Examples of Unacceptable Custom Logos:

Event and Special Occasion Marks

A custom mark may be used for special campus events and occasions (school anniversaries, etc.). These marks may include the university name as part of their design, but not the CU icon or any official CU logo. All event and special occasion marks must receive prior approval from University Communications.

Examples of Approved Custom Marks:

Student clubs, organizations, honor societies, professional associations and faith-based groups are an important part of the university experience, and a vital component of our brand and identity.

Affiliated and associated student groups are encouraged to incorporate the CU Anschutz identity and logo in their communications, apparel and promotions. All uses must adhere to the guidelines on this page.

Independent student groups not affiliated with CU Anschutz may not use our names, logos or other identifying elements for communication, identification, or promotion.

For more information about eligible CU Anschutz student clubs and organizations, contact Campus Student Services.

Custom Marks for Student Groups

A custom may also be used for student group identification. These marks may not include CU names, icons or any official logos as part of their design. When incorporating a custom mark for student groups, an official CU Anschutz must always be included in a separate location (see example below).

All custom marks must receive prior approval from the campus brand manager.

Some units may require more visually distinct identification. In lieu of secondary college, school, and unit-specific logos, the following parameters govern the creation and use of consistent typographic treatments for the promotion of university programs and offerings within these brand identity guidelines.

• The standard CU Anschutz campus logo must also be present on any material that includes the use of a typographic treatment.
• All treatments utilize the Helvetica Neue type family.
• Unique treatments may be developed through variations of type weight, size, color, and alignment. No other graphic elements or effects can be used.
• The only colors available for use in typographic treatments are BLACK, WHITE when reversed, and CU GOLD.
• Each typographic treatment, once created, must be used consistently and should not be altered with each use.
• Treatments may NOT be used in university website mastheads.

 

Supporting graphics are design elements used to add clarity to subjects, content, initiatives or offices that may need extra clarification or communication of a tagline. A supporting graphic may manifest as an image, symbol, or type treatment. 

Supporting graphics are not for unit identification. They may not include any of CU’s approved marks, symbols (the CU icon, unit logos, university seal, spirit marks, etc.) as part of their design. Special care must be observed at all times to ensure viewers do not mistake them for a logo.

What Qualifies as a Supporting Graphic? A type treatment of a tagline for a specific office/department, initiative or event To highlight specific sections or areas of content (paragraphs, sections, bulleted lists) As a background element or pattern An image recognize a milestone event or anniversary

Incorrect Use of Supporting Graphics As a primary identifier (AKA logo) for CU units, groups, or initiatives, and/or as a replacement for our campus, school, or unit logos Used without the CU logo on the same piece of artwork or email Combined or "locked up" with CU campus, school, or unit names/logos Changing the colors or approved supporting graphic or changing the words in an approved type treatment

Clear Space

Clear space must always surround the campus logo, to improve visual impact and ensure legibility.

The minimum acceptable clear space is equal to the height of the CU icon as it appears in the campus logo.