It happens every May. A sea of black and gold robes descends upon Boulder, and suddenly, a town of 100,000 people doubles in size. If you’ve ever tried to grab a bagel on Pearl Street during University of Colorado graduation weekend, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s chaos. Pure, beautiful, high-altitude chaos. But for the 9,000 or so students walking across that stage, it’s the culmination of years of thin air, late-night Cosmo’s Pizza runs, and rigorous academics at one of the top public research universities in the country.
Honestly, the sheer scale of the CU Boulder commencement is hard to wrap your head around until you’re standing on the turf at Folsom Field. Most schools do these tiny, intimate ceremonies in a gym. Not CU. They go big. We're talking about a ceremony that fills a football stadium with nearly 50,000 people. It’s loud, it’s sunny—usually—and it’s a logistical puzzle that takes the university almost an entire year to piece together.
What Actually Happens at the University of Colorado Graduation
The university holds one massive, "all-campus" ceremony in the spring. This is the big one. It’s where the chancellor speaks, the "Alumni C" is passed down, and the sea of mortarboards creates a black-and-gold mosaic against the backdrop of the Flatirons. People think this is where they hand you the diploma. They don't. You basically sit there, listen to a keynote speaker—past guests have included everyone from Dan Rather to Savannah Guthrie—and celebrate the collective achievement.
The real action happens at the departmental ceremonies. These are scattered across campus in places like the Macky Auditorium, the UMC Ballroom, or even out on the lawns. This is where your name is actually called. It’s where your parents get that photo of you shaking a dean's hand while trying not to trip over your gown. Because the campus is so spread out, these smaller events happen over a period of several days. If you’re a double major, you might find yourself sprinting from a chemistry ceremony on the east side of campus to a history luncheon near the Hill in under twenty minutes. It’s an athletic feat.
The Weather Factor (The "Boulder Variable")
You can’t talk about graduating in Colorado without talking about the weather. It is notoriously fickle. I’ve seen ceremonies where the temperature hit 85 degrees and people were fainting from dehydration. I’ve also seen years where a literal blizzard rolled in, and the graduates had to wear parkas over their robes. The university has a "rain or shine" policy. Unless there’s active lightning or a life-threatening wind storm, that ceremony is happening outdoors.
📖 Related: Hairstyles for women over 50 with round faces: What your stylist isn't telling you
Pro tip: bring sunscreen. Even if it’s cloudy. At 5,430 feet, the UV rays don’t care about your feelings or your graduation photos. You will get a "V" shaped sunburn from your gown if you aren't careful. It’s basically a rite of passage for CU alums.
Navigating the Logistics: A Survival Guide
Parking is the enemy. Let's just be real about that. Boulder wasn’t designed for 20,000 extra cars. During University of Colorado graduation, the city basically turns into one giant one-way street of frustration. The university offers free shuttles from downtown and various satellite lots, and honestly, if you try to park near the stadium, you’re going to have a bad time. Most veterans of the ceremony tell families to park at the Discovery Drive lots and take the Buff Bus. It saves you the headache of trying to find a spot in a residential neighborhood and getting a $50 ticket from a very busy parking enforcement officer.
Then there’s the seating. Folsom Field is old school. It has bleachers. If you’re bringing grandparents, tell them to bring a seat cushion or rent one at the gate. Sitting on cold aluminum for three hours is a test of endurance nobody signed up for. Also, the security is tight. Clear bag policies are in full effect, so don't show up with a giant backpack full of snacks. They’ll make you walk all the way back to your car, and you’ll miss the processional.
The "Hill" vs. The Ceremony
There is a distinct divide between the official university events and the unofficial celebrations on "The Hill." For those who don't know, The Hill is the neighborhood directly west of campus. It’s the heart of student life. On graduation day, it’s a zoo. Every restaurant has a three-hour wait. Every porch has a party. While the university keeps things dignified and formal, the energy on the Hill is electric and slightly unhinged.
👉 See also: How to Sign Someone Up for Scientology: What Actually Happens and What You Need to Know
Most families try to book graduation dinners months in advance. If you’re trying to get a table at Flagstaff House or Corrida on graduation weekend and it’s already March? Good luck. You’re better off driving to Louisville or Lafayette for a quiet meal unless you enjoy the chaotic energy of a thousand graduating seniors celebrating their freedom.
Why the Buff Identity Matters Post-Grad
Graduating from CU isn't just about the degree. It’s about the network. The Forever Buffs alumni association is actually one of the more active ones in the Pac-12 (or whatever conference we're in by the time you read this). They take the "once a Buff, always a Buff" thing pretty seriously. When you walk out of Folsom, you’re joining a group that includes astronauts, Nobel laureates, and more than a few professional athletes.
There’s a specific nuance to a Colorado degree. It carries a certain "work hard, play hard" reputation. Employers in the tech hubs of Denver and the aerospace corridor in Broomfield know that CU grads are usually pretty adaptable. Maybe it’s the thin air. Maybe it’s the fact that we’re used to hiking to class in the snow. Either way, that piece of paper from Boulder carries weight, especially in STEM and environmental sciences.
Misconceptions About the Big Day
People think it's just one day. It's not. It's a week-long marathon. There are silver and gold medal awards, various honor society inductions, and specific multicultural graduations like the Black and Latinx graduation ceremonies. These smaller, more intimate gatherings often mean more to the students than the giant stadium event because they acknowledge the specific hurdles they overcame.
✨ Don't miss: Wire brush for cleaning: What most people get wrong about choosing the right bristles
Another myth? That you have to be a "perfect" student to enjoy it. CU is a big school. It’s easy to feel like a number. But standing on that field, looking up at the Flatirons while the "CU Alma Mater" plays—it makes the school feel small for a second. It’s a collective "we made it" moment that bridges the gap between the various colleges, from Leeds School of Business to the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
Essential Action Steps for Graduates and Families
If you are heading into graduation season, stop winging it. You need a plan or you’re going to spend the whole day stressed out.
- Order Regalia Early: Don't wait until May. The bookstore runs out of specific tassel colors and hood sizes. Get your gown in March.
- The "Meeting Spot" Strategy: Cell service inside Folsom Field is non-existent when 50,000 people are trying to post to Instagram at once. Pick a very specific landmark outside the stadium (like the Dal Ward Athletic Center or a specific tree) to meet your family after the ceremony. Do not rely on "I'll call you."
- Footwear Choice: This is a big one. You will be walking on grass, turf, and steep stadium stairs. Stilettos are a death trap. Wear wedges or flats. I’ve seen way too many graduates lose a shoe or twist an ankle trying to look cute on the Folsom turf.
- Hydrate: It sounds cheesy, but the altitude is real. If you’re flying in from sea level for the weekend, drink twice the water you think you need. Graduation day usually involves a lot of walking and a lot of sun.
- Download the App: CU usually releases a commencement-specific app or a digital program. Download it. It has the maps, the shuttle schedules, and the most up-to-date info on weather delays.
The University of Colorado graduation is more than just a ceremony; it's a massive logistical feat that signals the start of a new chapter in the wildest, most beautiful setting imaginable. Go Buffs.