CU Anschutz Police Department

MISSION

The University of Colorado Anschutz Police Department supports the educational, research, and patient care missions of the University by providing a prepared, safe and secure campus environment.

VALUES

The CU Anschutz Police Department strives to partner with our campus communities to be an advocate for the education, research, and patient care mission of the university.

VISION

To be a trusted and engaged department that delivers public safety services to support and compliment the campus mission

THE DEPARTMENT

Police Services Division

Support Services Division

Electronic Security Division

Office of Emergency Management

RESOURCES & SERVICES

ACCREDITATION

The CU Anschutz Police are accredited through the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA). IACLEA is the largest professional association devoted to excellence in campus public safety and law enforcement.

Accreditation provides greater accountability and competency in daily operations. As the leading authority for campus public safety, IACLEA Accreditation shows a department conforms to the highest professional standards for campus law enforcement and protective services.

OUR PEOPLE

The CU Anschutz Police Department is led by Chief Matthew Harris, PhD. The department consists of 65 dedicated public safety professionals and support staff, including 29 full-time Colorado P.O.S.T certified law enforcement officers holding commissions with the State of Colorado, as well as skilled security officers who support campus safety operations. These professionals respond to and investigate criminal activity, emergencies, and safety concerns across the CU Anschutz campus community.

HISTORY

The evolution of campus safety at the University of Colorado spans a remarkable century-long journey, from a lone night watchman at the original 1924 medical center to a modern, net‑zero Campus Safety and Security Building supporting one of the nation’s premier academic medical hubs. What began as a modest security presence grew through major expansions, shifting public safety needs, the move to the new CU Anschutz Medical Campus, and decades of rising demand from a community that now numbers up to 40,000 people each day. The department’s transformation reflects not only the growth of the campus but the changing landscape of healthcare, education, and public safety itself. The full story offers a deeper look at how this evolution unfolded, milestone by milestone, across 100 years.

The University of Colorado Medical Center (UCMC) opened in 1924 at East 9th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard in Denver, Colorado. The original campus had four buildings with no formal security department. Eventually the campus would employ a night watchman who would secure rooms and buildings and keep an eye on the campus overnight. Following a major expansion in 1964, UCMC created a round-the-clock Security Department. The new Security Department consisted of approximately 12 men. The security officers were unarmed and communicated using World War II surplus radios. The Security Department operated out of a small room in the basement of the Research Building.

The Security Department transitioned into a commissioned police agency in 1972, and Officers attended the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy (CLETA) in Golden, Colorado. In 1993, increased fears over gang violence prompted the University’s Hospital to install a metal detector at the entrance to the Emergency Department. The Police Department again experienced large expansion; hiring additional security guards to staff the metal detector and police officers to staff the emergency room 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

In 1995, the University acquired land from the Federal Government at the old Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado. The University began a 10 year move to the new location, now known as CU Anschutz. During this time the Police Department increased staffing to ensure adequate staffing on both campuses. All Police Department administrative operations moved to CU Anschutz in 2004. The Police Department was "temporarily" located in Building 407, originally constructed as an Army barrack in 1936.

CU Anschutz now encompasses 271 acres with two major hospitals (University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado) with plans for further expansion in the coming years. The Anschutz Campus integrates world-class education, research and patient care including professional programs in medicine, dental medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health as well as three research towers. Our campus community of students, faculty, and staff add up to a population of 25,000 – 30,000, in addition to 1.5 M patient visits annually to the two hospitals located on campus.

As CU Anschutz and policing needs continued to grow, it was clear the Police Department needed to move from their "temporary" building to a larger and more modern facility. In October 2021, ground was broken on a new building. To embrace more sustainable practices, the new building incorporates the infrastructure of an existing building previously used as a vivarium by the military. The original structure was completely renovated down to the bricks. The building was greatly expanded, and a second story was added. Finally in April 2023 the Police Department moved to the first net-zero building in the CU system. The new Campus Safety and Security Building is located at 13309 E. 17th Place.

CU Anschutz Police Department

CU Anschutz

Campus Safety and Security

13309 E 17th Place

Mail Stop F409

Aurora, CO 80045

303-724-2000

Tools & Resources

CU Campuses

CU Anschutz

CU Anschutz Police Department

303-724-4444

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

MISSION

VALUES

The CU Anschutz Police Department strives to partner with our campus communities to be an advocate for the education, research, and patient care mission of the university.

Understanding and meeting the safety and security needs of our community with care and empathy.

Working together respectfully to achieve outcomes that support the needs of our community.

Being answerable and trustworthy for our attitudes, actions, and responsibilities.

Providing consistent, open, and clear communication.

Cultivating a welcoming and curious environment where all perspectives are valued, heard, and respected.

Conducting ourselves in a conscientious and courteous manner that aligns with industry best practices and accreditation standards.

VISION

THE DEPARTMENT

Police Services Division

Support Services Division

Electronic Security Division

Office of Emergency Management

RESOURCES & SERVICES

ACCREDITATION

The CU Anschutz Police are accredited through the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA). IACLEA is the largest professional association devoted to excellence in campus public safety and law enforcement.

Accreditation provides greater accountability and competency in daily operations. As the leading authority for campus public safety, IACLEA Accreditation shows a department conforms to the highest professional standards for campus law enforcement and protective services.

OUR PEOPLE

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

HISTORY

CU Anschutz Police Department

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

MISSION

VALUES

The CU Anschutz Police Department strives to partner with our campus communities to be an advocate for the education, research, and patient care mission of the university.

Service Oriented

Collaborative

Accountable

Transparent

Inclusive

Professional

VISION

THE DEPARTMENT

Police Services Division

Support Services Division

Electronic Security Division

Office of Emergency Management

RESOURCES & SERVICES

ACCREDITATION

The CU Anschutz Police are accredited through the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA). IACLEA is the largest professional association devoted to excellence in campus public safety and law enforcement.

Accreditation provides greater accountability and competency in daily operations. As the leading authority for campus public safety, IACLEA Accreditation shows a department conforms to the highest professional standards for campus law enforcement and protective services.

OUR PEOPLE

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

Your Police: Building Trust, Ensuring Safety

HISTORY

History

CU Anschutz Police Department