Residence Halls
Living on campus in a university residence hall is considered an important part of student life. Over 8,000 students are accommodated in double rooms, multiple-occupancy rooms, singles and apartments in 24 residence halls. All halls are coeducational and range in sizes from 100 to 700 students. Each fall the residence halls provide a new home for more than 7,000 entering first-year students. Subject to the availability of space, all first-year students are required to live in a residence hall for two academic semesters (a summer term does not count as an academic semester), unless they are married or live with parents and have permission to commute. Requests for permission to reside off campus for other reasons are considered on their merits, taking into account individual circumstances.
The residence halls provide a range of services and programs designed to support the intellectual, social and personal growth of single student residents. For example, all first year students are eligible for free tutoring, often within their residence hall. Additionally, a variety of academic and social programs are sponsored by residence hall and other university staff.
The dining centers' service hours are planned to be convenient for most students' schedules. Campus Dining Services provides healthy food choices to diverse students which emphasizes convenience, value and variety. The dining program permits students (regardless of hall assignment) to eat in any dining center. A Registered Dietician is available to provide consultation for students with dietary needs.
For more information about university housing options and/or permission to reside off campus, prospective students may contact:
University Housing
Center for Community, Room S300
159 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0159
Email: universityhousing@colorado.edu
Phone: 303-492-6673
Application for Residence Hall Housing
New first-year and transfer students receive information from University Housing about applying for housing 3-5 business days after they have confirmed their intent to attend the university. Learn more about the housing application process. (Please note that University Housing does not guarantee assignment to a particular building or program, type of accommodation or specific roommate.)
Note: Application for admission to the university and application for housing are two separate transactions. For information regarding admission notification and confirmation procedures, see the undergraduate Admissions section.
All housing contracts are for the full two-semester academic year or remainder thereof. An early termination of contract is subject to cancellation charges as stated in the residence halls contract.
Housing Security Deposit
All students who live in campus housing are required to pay $300 at the time of application. Of this total, $50 is nonrefundable application fee and is used to cover administrative costs. The remaining $250 is a refundable deposit, held by University Housing and is released to the tuition and fee account within 60 days after the expiration of the housing contract.
The security deposit required for housing is in addition to the confirmation deposit required for admission to the university.
Housing and Food Rates per Semester
Campus housing room and food rates per semester can be viewed on the University Housing website. Learn more about housing and food rates.
Undergraduate Residential Programs
A number of the residence halls are home to residential academic programs. Additionally, several communities offer themed housing in the form of living and learning communities. Visit the respective pages of the catalog to learn more about residential academic programs and living and learning communities.
Off-Campus Housing
Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations (a service of CUSG) maintains listings of apartments, houses and rooms for rent in the Boulder area. Currently enrolled students may view listings and connect with potential roommates on Ralphie's List, CU's rental database, on the Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations website. The office also maintains a detailed list of apartments and property management companies available for download or pickup in the office.
The department has a staff attorney available on Tuesdays and Fridays to advise students about leases, security deposits, maintenance issues and roommate and landlord conflicts. Office assistants will help students locate properties and answer questions about the surrounding neighborhoods.
During the academic year, the office sponsors several off-campus housing fairs where landlords, property managers and related businesses offer their services to students in a trade-show format.
For additional information, visit the Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations website or call 303-492-7053. Office hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday. Summer hours are 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Note: First-year students must receive written permission from University Housing before obtaining off-campus accommodations for the fall and spring semesters of their first year, as well as for the summer session preceding their fall start date.
Graduate & Family Housing
The University of Colorado Children's Center provides childcare for the children of students, staff, faculty and Graduate & Family Housing residents.
Graduate & Family Housing offers an affordable, convenient and comfortable living environment that serves the needs of a diverse population of students at CU Boulder. We are home to residents from over 70 nations and offer a variety of apartment types and sizes, flexible leases and community-building programs and events. To learn more, visit the Housing and Dining website or call, write or email the Graduate & Family Housing Office at the address provided.
Graduate & Family Housing Office
1350 20th Street, #A10
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO 80302
T: 303-492-6384
graduatefamilyhousing@colorado.edu