Emergency Alerts & Safety Notifications
Colorado State University may issue alerts, advisories or warnings to share critical information with the university community. Depending on the severity of the situation, CSU may issue an emergency notification or timely warning. The university issues emergency notifications to students and employees when certain threatening events take place. CSU is responsible for issuing a timely warning if a Clery Act crime has been reported on Clery geography and CSU determines there is a serious or continuing threat to the university community.
CSU uses the Everbridge notification system that is supported by the Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority (LETA) and activated for CSU-related emergencies by CSU personnel. This system issues email notifications to all CSU students and employees who maintain an “colostate.edu” email address. Safety alerts can also be received by text.
All alerts are also posted to the Safety homepage and on CSU Police Department’s social media accounts. An archive of alerts is also available.
Subscribe to CSU alerts
All “colostate.edu” emails are automatically subscribed to CSU safety alerts. You can also subscribe to text alerts to ensure timely notification.
Faculty and staff can subscribe to receive emergency text message alerts through AAR (Administrative Applications and Resources). After logging into AAR using your eID, click the Emergency Text Alerts link on the right-hand navigation under the Quick Applications section.
- CSU also shares safety updates via opt-in texts messages. This is a good option for family members of current students. To opt-in, text CSUALERT to 888777.
- For safety updates at university events such as football games or concerts, text CSURAMS to 888777 to opt-in. This is a good option for fans.
- For operational notifications such as elevator outages, building closures, or other issues, text CSUINFO to 888777 to opt-in. This is a good option for building proctors, lab managers, and student support services personnel.
Participants are responsible for keeping information up to date.
The system and the university do not keep track of subscribers’ physical locations. Faculty on sabbatical, students who are away on semester abroad, for a holiday or spring break, or any other subscriber who is out of the area, will receive alerts via email. Please unsubscribe if traveling away from campuses for extended periods and you do not wish to receive notifications.
Additional Safety Alert Information
Colorado State University uses Thor Guard, a lightning prediction system. While Thor Guard detects lightning, the core system uses prediction algorithms engineered to warn people prior to a first strike therefore allowing people to safely seek shelter before the strike occurs.
Thor Guard alert signals
Red Alert Signal: One 15-second blast from the horn; strobe light on the assembly begins intermittently flashing.
All-Clear Signal: Three separate 5-second blasts from the horn; strobe light stops flashing.
When Thor Guard goes into Red Alert Signal:
- All outdoor activities cease.
- Seek safe shelter nearby. The safest location is inside a large, enclosed structure with plumbing and electrical wiring.
- If no buildings are available, then an enclosed metal vehicle such as an automobile, van, or school bus makes a decent alternative.
Activity may resume after the all-clear alert is made.
To view Thor Guard status, visit the CSU Thor Guard dashboard.
LETA allows you to receive alerts about off-campus emergencies and other important community news via your home, cell, or business phone, email, text messages, hearing impaired receiving devices, and more.
Alerts may be issued to the entire university community through the Everbridge notification system, which is supported by LETA but activated for CSU-related emergencies by CSU personnel. This system issues email notifications to all CSU affiliates who maintain an “colostate.edu” email address. Cell phone notifications are made to those who have opted in. You can sign up for LETA alerts separately from CSU alerts.
Alert Types
Four levels of notifications may be used depending on the type of incident. All notifications are sent by CSU Police or CSU Safety and Risk Services.
Emergency Alert
Emergency alerts are sent to affected campuses for a confirmed immediate threat to the safety of those on site, or near Main Campus in areas of high student populations. Take immediate action to secure your safety and the safety of others around you. Follow directions accompanying an emergency alert.
Safety Alert
Safety alerts are sent as a timely warning to the university community of a crime committed on or near a university campus, in accordance with Clery Act guidelines, providing increased community awareness of ongoing or dangerous situations. Safety alerts include criminal homicide, sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, hate crimes, domestic violence, arrests and referrals for drug, alcohol or weapons violations. Follow any instructions accompanying a safety alert.
Safety Advisory
A safety advisory is sent to the university community for issues that are not threats or emergencies. Safety advisories inform the community of activity that may impact campuses.
University Closure
A University closure notice will be sent when weather conditions prevent the institution from normal operations. University closures due to weather apply to all Larimer County campuses. An emergency situation other than weather may also cause a closure.
All Clear
An emergency has concluded, and the University has returned to standard operations.