On Monday, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that the University of Colorado Board of Regents lacks the constitutional and statutory authority to determine what policies will best promote the health and welfare of the university’s students, faculty, staff, and visitors specifically as it relates to regulating the presence of guns on campus.
It is important to understand what the ruling means to you as a CU student. The ruling means that individuals over the age of 21 who possess a valid Colorado Concealed-Carry permit can carry a weapon on the CU-Boulder campus.
Those under 21 are still barred from having weapons on campus, and we will vigorously enforce this policy. Those wishing to carry a weapon on campus must have a conceal-carry permit.
President Benson and I expressed our disappointment in this ruling, on Monday in an official statement. I want to pledge to you that while CU-Boulder will follow the law, the safety of our students, faculty and staff is our number one priority, and we will continue to do all we can to provide a safe campus.
You should be aware that, of our resident students on campus, only 7 percent are over 21 and the University of Colorado Police Department estimates that less than 0.6 percent of the university faculty, staff and students have a valid Concealed-Carry Permit (CCP).
Further, under current state law, a CCP does not allow a person to use his or her weapon to place another person in fear of injury.
Should you see anyone with a weapon acting in a menacing manner, please immediately contact CU Police dispatch at 303-492-6666. Students can also share non-emergency concerns or information with their professors, instructors, staff or residence hall directors who will work with campus police to investigate all complaints immediately. For any general concerns related to weapons on campus, please contact the CU Police Department.
We are discussing the court’s ruling with the regents and the president’s office to determine its implications for the campus and how we will move forward. I would ask that you share the link to this editorial with your parents and fellow students so that we can continue to educate our community on this important safety issue.
Philip P. DiStefano is chancellor of the University of Colorado Boulder.
