Transportation Options

Collage of different transportation modes on CU Campus


Campus community members are encouraged to explore all commuting options—such as transit, walking, biking, and carpooling. For guidance or more information on available options, contact our sustainable transportation team at BuffsCommute@colorado.edu

 

ADA Accessibility

All CU Buff Buses, Regional Transportation District (RTD) and Community Transit Network (CTN) buses, as well as light rail vehicles, are ADA accessible.

Via: Via is a not-for-profit organization that provides door-to-door transportation services to people of all ages who cannot access or afford other transit alternatives. Via serves all areas of ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ County as well as some adjoining towns in counties contiguous with ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ County. Call 303-447-9636 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to start the new client process or to schedule a ride. You can find more information on Via’s services by visiting Via’s website.

Access-A-Ride: The Access‑a‑Ride program through the Regional Transportation District (RTD) provides local bus transportation in the Denver metro area for people with disabilities. This program helps individuals who cannot access RTD’s fixed-route bus and rail system to maintain their freedom to travel around the metro area. Call 303-299-2960 for eligibility information.

There is no building-to-building shuttle service on campus, but all Buff Buses are ADA-accessible.

Buff Bus

The Buff Bus moves thousands of students, faculty, staff and visitors around and through campus every day. All CU Buff Buses are ADA-accessible. For route and schedule information, see our Buff Bus webpage.

Temporary Medical Conditions

Temporary medical conditions (TMCI) such as injuries, surgeries, or acute illnesses may not qualify as permanent disabling conditions. However,  does provide assistance to students and guidance on working with a temporary medical condition while attending CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ and we’d be happy to meet with you to discuss further.

Temporary injury usually does not qualify for accessible parking. Contact Parking Customer Service to discuss options for purchasing a temporary permit to park near the building where you need to go.

For accessible parking, you must have a state-issued accessible license plate, permit, decal, or place card.

For more details about parking, review our ADA parking page. For general campus ADA information, visit the CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Campus Accessibility page or the Disability Services website. Additionally, visit the for even more details about accessible, affordable, and equitable multimodal transportation options.

Key contact info

  • CU Disability Services 303-492-8671
  • Via Mobility 303-447-9636
  • Access-a-Ride 303-299-2960
  • CU Parking Customer Service 303-735-7275

Bus

From CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ's Buff Buses, to the City of ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ's HOP service, to Denver Metro's Regional Transportation District (RTD), our local bus system makes getting to and around campus easy.  

Learn more about buses at CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ.

Bikes

Biking as a primary form of transportation helps reduce our negative impact on the environment, is an excellent form of exercise, and could save money that would otherwise be spent on gas and parking. 

Learn more about bikes at CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ.

A purple sunset caused by a volcano in Russia provides a stunning background to one of the buffalo sculptures at the ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ.

Be Mobile Newsletter

Subscribe to the Be Mobile Newsletter for campus transportation news

What do free vanpooling, 700,000+ BCycle rides, and new electric Buff Buses have in common? These were stories dropped in past issues of the Be Mobile Newsletter. Subscribe to stay updated on new services, events, safety upgrades, construction impacts, and more.

View the Be Mobile Newsletter Archives

ZipCar carshare on CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ campus

Car

CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Parking and Transportation Services provides a range of sustainable commuting options, such as carpooling, CarShare, and more. 

Discover how you can commute sustainably at CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ.

CU NightRide vehicle

CU NightRide

CU NightRide is CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ’s student-operated safe-ride service that allows you to request free, evening transportation to and from any location within ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ city limits. Whether you need to travel across campus or to a neighborhood off-campus, CU NightRide student drivers can get you there. CU NightRide is available to current CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ students, faculty and staff. 

Learn more about CU NightRide.


Guaranteed Ride Home

Guaranteed Ride Home

In order to support sustainable transportation options, CU provides a free taxi ride home in the event of an emergency or work schedule change (limited to CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ and CU System faculty and staff).

You must have your staff/faculty Buff OneCard to complete the ride. Note, this is an account-based program.

  • Call 303-MYZTRIP (303-699-8747)
  • When the automated voice starts, press 9 to set up an account-funded ride
  • When prompted, press 2 to be connected with corporate/private accounts and speak with an operator.
  • Provide the operator with the CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ account number BOU5302. 
  • The operator will ask for the account name, you should answer "CU Guaranteed Ride Home" or "CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ"
  • You will be asked for an ID number, use your Buff OneCard number for this.
  • You must provide the address where you will be picked up and your destination address.
  • If asked for the name of an authorized person, answer "Clark Rider."
  • When the cab arrives, you’ll need to show your Buff OneCard.
  • Upon reaching your destination, review and sign the trip voucher. The university will pay for your cab ride, but you must pay for any tip.
  • Eligible Users - GRH is for CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ and CU System staff/faculty FTEs who work 50% time or greater (benefit eligible).
  • Valid Reasons for Use - Personal or family emergency/illness or an unplanned change in work schedule.
  • CU ID Required - You must show your Buff OneCard to the taxi driver.
  • Types of Trips – GRH covers trips from your workplace to your residence or car.  Intermediate stops are possible (for example, to pick up your child at school on the way home or stop at your pharmacy to pick up a prescription).
  • Distance - Your taxi ride can be up to 100 miles one-way. You are responsible for paying any amount over the 100-mile limit, and tipping the cab driver is your responsibility.
  • Extreme Weather - Emergency taxi rides will not be available when extreme weather conditions cause the university to close. This service does not apply when bus service is erratic due to bad weather.
  • General Questions - Call 303-735-7874 (CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Sustainable Transportation)
  • Book a Ride – Call 303-MYZTRIP (303-699-8747)

Lime scooters

Scooters and Skateboards

Scooters and skateboards are popular, eco-friendly ways to get around CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ’s campus, offering a fast and sustainable alternative for students, faculty, and staff. 

Learn more about scooters and skateboards at CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ.

Diagram showing that bicyclists can treat stop signs as a yield sign and stoplights as a stop sign.

Transportation Safety

Transportation safety is a priority at CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ, with initiatives focused on bike, pedestrian, and vehicle safety to ensure a secure environment for everyone on campus. 

Learn more about transportation safety programs at CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ.

Vanpools

CU Transportation supports vanpooling to campus by helping form vans and by providing both monetary subsidies and free parking to make it more affordable and accessible to all staff. 

Learn more about Vanpool at CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ.