CU Anschutz is launching a campus-wide initiative that uses real-time occupancy data to help us operate and maintain our buildings more efficiently—particularly our heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems—while continuing to support long‑term strategic space planning.

A key focus of this initiative is understanding when, where, and how campus spaces are actually used so building systems can better respond to real demand rather than fixed schedules or assumptions. This approach supports our academic mission while reducing energy waste, lowering operational costs, and improving indoor comfort across our campuses.

Why occupancy data matters

Accurate occupancy information is essential to modern, efficient building operations. By gathering reliable data on how many people are using spaces and when those spaces are occupied, the university can:

• Adjust HVAC schedules and ventilation rates to match actual use, reducing unnecessary heating, cooling, and airflow in unoccupied or lightly used spaces.
• Improve temperature comfort and indoor air quality in spaces that are consistently busy.
• Reduce equipment run time, helping extend the life of HVAC systems and lower maintenance and energy costs.
• Use data-driven insights to support longer-term space planning and capital investment decisions.

Rather than heating, cooling, and ventilating buildings based on static assumptions, this initiative allows facilities teams to make informed, real-time operational decisions.

Project goals

While occupancy data will inform broader space planning, its immediate value lies in day-to-day building operations. Key goals include:

● Collect accurate occupancy and utilization data to improve HVAC control strategies and energy performance.
● Reduce operational and maintenance costs by aligning building system use with actual demand.
● Support short-, mid-, and long-term campus space planning using reliable, objective data.
● Identify opportunities to repurpose or consolidate underutilized spaces without compromising student, faculty or staff support needs.
● Inform future renovations, and sustainability initiatives.

Occupancy monitoring technology

As part of this initiative, the university is implementing occupancy monitoring technology (utilization sensors) to collect data about space usage. Installation of a pilot group of sensors will begin the week of April 27^th and should be completed within two weeks’ time.  These pilot grouping of sensors will be located on the first and second floors of the Fitzsimons Building and the Education 1 Building.  Sensors and will be activated beginning in May.

The data collected will be used primarily by facilities and planning teams to improve HVAC performance, energy efficiency, and space management decisions across campus.

How the sensor technology works

Occuspace is the creator of privacy-friendly occupancy monitoring sensors that determine how busy spaces are in real time. Sensors plug into a standard wall outlets and will be visible in public areas within the locations noted above.

These sensors estimate room occupancy by detecting aggregate Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi signal activity from electronic devices such as laptops and smartphones.

The system provides modeled estimates of how many people are in a given space at a particular time. This information helps facilities teams understand patterns of use—such as peak times, consistently underused spaces, or spaces that require additional ventilation—without identifying any individual.

Privacy and data protection

Your privacy is a top priority. The Occuspace system:

● Does not collect or store names, phone numbers, email addresses, or other personal information.
● Does not track individuals or follow movement from one space to another.
● Does not connect to or access any personal device.
● Does not report specific seats, desks, or individual office occupancy.

The technology has undergone third-party security reviews and has been vetted by the university’s IT department. For more information, visit occuspace.com/privacy-policy.

Questions or more information?

We appreciate your support as we use smarter data to improve campus operations and sustainability.  Responses to frequently asked questions regarding this initiative can be found at here. 

For other general inquiries, please contact:

Andre Vite at [email protected].

By aligning building operations with real occupancy patterns, the university is taking a practical, data-driven step toward more efficient facilities, lower energy use, and campuses that work better for everyone. Stay tuned for updates as the project progresses.