The University of Colorado Boulder will host the spring 2024 University Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 9, at Folsom Field.

• The commencement is for CU Boulder students graduating across the university.
• Stadium gates open at 7 a.m. No tickets are required to attend. 
• Livestream links with captions in English and Spanish will be available on the homepage the morning of the commencement ceremony.
• Have additional questions? Check out the general ceremony FAQs →

1. Meet at King St. Leave at 7:30am.
2. Arrive at Folsom Field at 7:45am. 
   1. Handicap Parking Information.
   2. Commencement Ceremony Parking Map.
3. Find seats in the stadium near ADA seating (section 114).
   1. Seating is first come, first serve.
   2. Please be seated by 8:15am.
   3. Folsom Field Seating Map.
4. Event will last approximately 90 minutes.
5. Directly following the ceremony, we will have brunch at The Morning Glory Cafe in Lafayette, Colorado.
   

CU Boulder colleges, schools, departments and programs also will celebrate the Class of 2024 with individual recognition ceremonies.

• CMCI's graduation recognition ceremony will be held Friday, May 10, at the CU Events Center. 
• Doors open for seating at 7 a.m. No tickets are required to attend.
• Evan will walk across the stage during this ceremony.

1. Meet at King St. Leave at 7:00am.
2. Arrive at CU Event Center at 7:15am. 
   1. Handicap Parking Information.
   2. Recognition Ceremony Parking Map.
3. Find seats in the Event Center near ADA seating (sections 20-21).
   1. Seating is first come, first serve.
      1. (We have reserved ADA seating: TBA)
   2. Please be seated by 7:45am.
   3. CU Event Center Seating Map.
4. Event will last approximately 90 minutes.
5. Directly following the ceremony, we will meet at the reception on the Business Field across the street outside the Event Center.
   

• Livestream links with captions in English and Spanish will be available on the homepage the morning of the commencement ceremony.
• The ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes. Highlights include:
• Processional
• Reading of the CU Boulder Land Acknowledgement
• Remarks by Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano
• Congratulatory message from CU President Todd Saliman
• Commencement address by Steve Wozniak
• Senior Class Council address
• Senior class celebratory video
• Acknowledgment of Chancellor’s Recognition Awards and Outstanding Graduates
• Conferral of degrees by college and school
• Welcome to the Forever Buffs family
• Reading of the Norlin Charge by a University of Colorado regent
• Performance of the alma mater

When to Arrive for Commencement

Expect heavy traffic while traveling to Boulder, in the city and on campus. We recommend arriving early to allow plenty of time to find parking and shuttle to the stadium. The gates to the stadium open at 7 a.m., and we recommend you be in your seat by 8:15 a.m. to see the processional enter the stadium. 

On-Campus Commencement Parking

All campus parking lots will be open for public parking on a space-available basis. You may park on campus, including in pay-to-park lots, for no charge on the days of commencement and recognition ceremonies. Accessible parking and drop-off locations, as well as wheelchair assistance, will also be available for guests traveling to campus for commencement.

ADA Accessible Parking & Transportation

Accessible Parking 

Guests who need accessible parking for the commencement ceremony may park in the following lots:

• Lot 204—Disability parking placard not required
• Lot 346—Standard disability parking placard required
• Lot 360—Standard disability parking placard required
• Lot 380—Disability parking placard not required
• Lot 440 West—Disability parking placard not required

Courtesy golf cart shuttles will be available for guests who may have difficulty with the walk to Folsom Field.

Commencement Ceremony Parking Map

On-Campus Transportation

Accessible Drop-Off

A drop-off area for those who have difficulty walking will be at the intersection of Colorado Avenue and Folsom Street, southeast of the stadium. We recommend arriving at the drop-off area well before the student procession reaches the stadium around 8:15 a.m.

What You Can Bring

Start preparing for the commencement ceremony by packing some of these permitted items:

• Clothes for all weather: No matter the weather, the commencement ceremony will happen at Folsom Field. Colorado weather in May can be unpredictable. Watch the forecast so you can dress accordingly.
• Clear bag: Folsom Field has a clear bag policy that we will continue to enforce the day of commencement. If you plan to bring a bag, it must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC, and no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches.
• Empty water bottle: You may bring an empty, nondisposable plastic water bottle to fill in the stadium as long as it is 51 ounces or smaller.
• Seat cushion: You may bring a seat cushion or a seat cushion with a back as long as it does not have pockets or zippers and it is 18 inches or less in width.

Prohibited Items

Before entering the stadium gates, you will go through a security screening, which may include walkthrough metal detectors, electronic wanding and bag inspections. Folsom Field complies with all TSA and Homeland Security prohibited items lists. Prohibited items include but are not limited to:

• Non-factory-sealed beverages or filled liquid containers
• Alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs, including medical marijuana
• Glass or metal bottles or cans
• Professional-grade video or camera equipment, such as telephoto lenses, tripods or monopods
• Flyers and signs larger than 11 inches by 17 inches
• Flags on poles, artificial noisemakers, inflatable balls or balloons

There’s no better place to celebrate your graduate than in the legendary home of the Buffs. The stadium gates will open at 7 a.m., and we recommend that you are in your seat by 8:15 a.m. to watch the student processional enter the stadium. No tickets are required for the ceremony, so early arrival guarantees the best seating.

• Prohibited Items:
  • Professional-grade video or camera equipment, such as telephoto lenses, tripods or monopods

Following the ceremony, we will have brunch at The Morning Glory Cafe in Lafayette, Colorado.

Find answers to common questions about the spring commencement ceremony and recognition ceremonies.

If you don't see the answer to your question here, please click the “Questions? Let’s Chat.” box in the lower right corner of our website to begin a chat with a Buff Info representative. You may also email our Commencement Office at commencement@colorado.edu.

We’re excited to celebrate this milestone achievement with you, your family and friends! All students who participate in CMCI’s ceremony will have their name read, cross the stage and receive their diploma cover. The physical diploma will be sent to your home later. The ceremony will also be available via livestream.

Multiple on-campus parking lots will be free to the public on graduation ceremony days and there will be free shuttle drop-off services. View full parking information →

• Parking for guests requiring accessibility: Guests who need ADA accessible parking may park in lots 440 West (closest to the CU Events Center), 204, 346, 359, 360 or 380.
  • A disability parking placard is not required to park in lots 204, 380 or 440 West.
  • A disability parking placard is required to park in lots 346, 359 or 360.

Clear bag requirements: To support security measures, CU Events Center has limitations on bags and items that may be brought with you. With the exception of medical bags, all bags must meet certain requirements.

• View a list of permitted and prohibited bags and other items →
• There will not be storage space for graduates and their guests to keep items during the ceremony. Graduates are responsible for carrying any personal items they bring, and all belongings are also subject to the clear bag policy.

Security: All graduates and guests are subject to security screenings, which may include walk-through metal detectors, electronic wanding and inspection of bags or other personal items.

Family and guests will follow signage to enter through the front doors of the CU Events Center.

• Graduation programs will be distributed throughout the CU Events Center Concourse as you enter through the doors.
• Family and friends should be seated by 7:45 a.m. Guests may sit anywhere not marked reserved, ADA/Disability or graduate seating. All seats are first come, first serve. The earlier they arrive, the better seats they can secure.
• Guests requiring accommodations at a recognition ceremony event, such as wheelchair seating, interpreters or assisted listening devices should contact the ADA Compliance office at (303) 492-9725 or via email ASAP so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
• Concessions will be open for guests to purchase snacks and drinks.
• Flowers are available for purchase on the upper level of the concourse behind sections 7 and 8 and sections 23 and 24.

A professional photographer with GradImages will take pictures of all graduates with a diploma cover.

GradImages will distribute contact cards to each student to fill out with their name, address and email. They will use this information to contact you after the ceremony to view and purchase your pictures.

GradImages offers a 20% discount to those that pre-register on their website before the ceremony.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

For more information, please visit the CU Commencement website.