Tips, Resources and Deals for Students in Boulder

From hiking trails to restaurant discounts, here are some helpful city resources for CU students. Moving in, finding your classes and meeting new people can make the start of a new school year hectic. Here are some city resources to help you get into – or back into – the swing of things.

Boulder has more than 155 miles of trails for you to enjoy just minutes from campus. While Chautauqua Trailhead is Boulder's most well-known hiking destination, there are so many other great, less crowded trails to discover in the city. Visit Boulder trail information to learn more about trail options for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

Before you head outdoors to enjoy Boulder trail and our shared natural areas, remember to keep these seven essential hiking tips in mind. The City of Boulder also reminds visitors that glass containers and alcohol – including beer, wine and spirits – are prohibited on Boulder Open space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) lands. OSMP Rangers are increasing patrols and outreach about city open space rules, including alcohol regulations.

Your RTD College Pass makes it easy – and free – to get around Boulder by bus. You can even bus to Denver, Denver International Airport and more without paying a dime. Your College Pass also gives you special access to offers and discounts at participating restaurants and businesses around town.

No car? No problem! There are many ways to get around Boulder without a vehicle. You can use Boulder’s local transit system , including the HOP, SKIP and JUMP buses. Bicycling is also a great option - Boulder has been named one of the top cities in the nation for biking and has more than 300 miles of bikeways. Learn where and how to get around Boulder by bike and be sure to follow these tips for securing your bike to keep it safe.

If you’re living at Williams Village or visiting CU Boulder’s East Campus, you can take the new Lime e-scooters for a spin. Ride safely and courteously and keep in mind that the e-scooters only work east of 28th Street and cannot be used on CU Boulder’s main campus.

However you choose to get around, do you part to help the Boulder community reach our Vision Zero goal of eliminating all serious injuries and fatalities caused by traffic crashes. Share the road, don’t travel while intoxicated and look out for others.

In Boulder, we know that local government works best when the entire community participates. Get involved by providing input on city projects online or at in-person events, or sign up for City of Boulder volunteering opportunities if you’re looking to give back to your community. You can sign up for city e-newsletters or follow the city on social media to stay up-to-date on issues that matter to you.

Starting school after summer can be tough, but the city has many resources to make the transition back to CU easier. Best of luck to all the Buffs this year!