Published:8/20/20268/20/2026
Labor Day is Monday, Sept. 7, and CU Boulder offices will be closed for the university holiday. Whether you’re staying in Boulder, heading outdoors or hanging out with friends, take a few minutes to plan ahead for the long weekend.
Here are five things to know about campus closures, outdoor activities, party safety and Boulder ordinances for Labor Day weekend.
Check CU Boulder Labor Day hours and closures
Labor Day is a university holiday, which means campus offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 7. Some campus services and facilities may also have adjusted hours throughout the weekend.
Before heading to campus, check holiday and weekend hours forCampus Dining & Hospitality, theUniversity Memorial Center, theRec Center,Medical ServicesandCounseling & Psychiatric Services.
Medical Services offers free after-hours telehealth throughTimelyCare(available evenings, weekends and closures), and Counseling & Psychiatric Services offers free, flexible and confidential online counseling throughBetterMynd, as well as 24/7 crisis services by calling 303-492-2277.
Get outside and explore Boulder
A long weekend can be a great time to get outside, whether you’re hiking, camping, climbing or spending time at a local park.
Need gear for your plans? Outdoor Pursuits offersequipment rentalsfor camping, backpacking, climbing and other outdoor activities.
If you’re hitting the trails, check conditions before you go, bring plenty of water and be prepared for changing weather. Review theseessential hiking tipsbefore heading out, and visit BoulderOpen Space and Mountain Parksfor current information about local trails, closures and regulations.
Party smart and look out for each other
If parties or social events are part of your Labor Day weekend plans, make choices that work for you. Remember, not everyone drinks alcohol or uses substances, and you don’t have to either.
If you choose to drink or use substances, a little planning can help you and your friends have a better night:
- Stick with people you know and trust and look out for one another.
- Eat before you go out, drink water throughout the night and go at your own pace.
- Decide on your limits ahead of time and respect other people’s limits too.
- Make a plan to get home safely. Consider walking with friends, public transit, rideshare service orCU NightRide.
- Avoid mixing alcohol with prescription or other drugs, which can increase the risk of an accidental overdose.
Also, know when to get help. If someone is unresponsive, has slowed or stopped breathing, is vomiting while passed out or shows other signs of alcohol poisoning or an overdose, call 911 right away. Stay with them and place them on their side in therecovery position. If you havenaloxone, administer it.
Students who call for help during an alcohol- or drug-related emergency may be protected underCU Boulder’s Amnesty PolicyandColorado’s 911 Good Samaritan Law.
Hosting a party? Know Boulder’s rules
Living off campus means being part of a neighborhood. If you’re having people over during Labor Day weekend, keep your neighbors—and Boulder ordinances—in mind.
Noise rules apply during the day as well as at night. Gatherings can also become nuisance parties when issues such as excessive noise, underage drinking, fighting, littering or other violations occur. As the host, you can be held responsible for what happens at your residence, including the actions of your guests.
One easy step:Register your partywith Off-Campus Life. If Boulder Police receives a noise complaint about a registered party, you’ll get a warning and have 20 minutes to quiet things down before police are dispatched. Registration doesn’t give you a pass on local laws or guarantee you won’t receive a ticket, but it gives you a chance to address a noise complaint before it escalates.
First-time participants need to complete an orientation before registering. You can alsoreview Boulder ordinancesfor students living off campus before hosting.
Skip the fireworks
Leave fireworks out of your Labor Day plans. Possessing or using fireworks of any kind is illegal in the city of Boulder, and fireworks can create serious fire risks as well as disruptions for your neighbors.
That includes items you might not think of as fireworks, such as sparklers, snaps, snakes, bottle rockets, Roman candles and smoke bombs.
If you’re hosting, pay attention to what your guests bring or use as well. You may be held responsible for fireworks used by roommates or guests at your residence.
Have questions about Boulder ordinances or your responsibilities as a student living off campus?Off-Campus Lifecan help you understand local rules and reort to eligible CU Boulder students.
Whatever your plans for Labor Day weekend, plan ahead, look out for your fellow Buffs and enjoy the long weekend.
