CU Boulder launches app as hub for emergency alerts, safety resources

The University of Colorado Boulder has released an app that it says compiles the school’s safety resources into one convenient place.

Dubbed CU Boulder Safe, the app can send out emergency alerts, connect people to campus dispatch and access safety resources like Buff Bus, CUNightRide, maps, mental health services and campus reporting services, according to a university press release. The new app is planned to replace the existing Guardian app, which will be discontinued later this year, the university said.

The free app is available now for both iOS and Android devices, but can be used only by those with CU Boulder credentials. That means students, faculty and staff only, according to a CU Boulder Police Department social media post.

The app is limited to only those with CU credentials to prioritize on-campus safety, according to CUPD spokesperson Sarah Barwacz.

“The decision to offer this app to CU Boulder students, faculty and staff was made to prioritize campus-specific safety needs as part of the university’s commitment to build a more safe and  resilient campus community,” Barwacz said.

Those without CU credentials can still receive emergency alerts, as they are publicly available, Barwacz added.

The university said that the app allows people to text with dispatch for non-emergencies. The app also includes a Virtual Walkhome feature, which shares one’s location with dispatch as the person walks across campus; this feature aims to make people feel safer at night, the release states.

“Safety is a shared responsibility, and this app gives every member of our community the tools they need to stay informed, connected and supported — whether in an emergency or just going about their day,” Vice Chancellor for Public Safety Marlon Lynch said in the release.

The app also shows the CUPD’s social media alerts, BoCo Alert notifications and Boulder Police Department alerts, the release states.