It’s almost time for one of our favorite moments of the year: commencement. Whether you’re a student, their family, faculty, or staff member, we’ve compiled a list of things you need to know for CU Denver’s fall 2025 commencement ceremony. For more information and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the CU Denver commencement website.
Day-Of
Arrival: Commencement is on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St. The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. Graduates should arrive at the convention center no later than 7:30 a.m. Graduates and their guests should allow time to park and go through a magnetometer or be wanded upon entrance into the facility.
Accessible Arrival and Entry: To support a smooth arrival for guests and graduates who use mobility devices, we recommend utilizing the drop-off area on 14th Street by the iconic Big Blue Bear statue before proceeding to parking. An accessible security checkpoint will be located just beyond graduate check-in, near the elevators. Guests and graduates using mobility devices may take the elevator up to the second floor.
- Graduates: After using the elevator, continue to the Hall F entrance to complete your check-in.
- Family and Friends: Upon arriving at Hall A entrance, check in with CU Denver staff at the ADA seating area. They will assist you with seating and answer any questions.
Our team is committed to providing an accessible and welcoming commencement experience for all attendees. Please visit our accessibility arrangements and information webpage for more information or email our commencement team for any additional inquiries.
Faculty: For more information on where you need to go on the morning of commencement and other FAQs, click here. Faculty will also be sent a specific email with details.
Clear Bag Policy: Faculty, staff, students, and guests must carry their belongings in a clear bag per the clear bag policy and will be checked upon entry into the building. For additional details, visit the safety and approved items webpage.
Parking: Please note that the Colorado Convention Center’s parking garage capacity is limited. You can find alternative parking in the many lots and garages around the Colorado Convention Center and Denver Center for the Performing Arts. We highly encourage you to allow plenty of time to find parking and walk to the Colorado Convention Center.
Safety: We fully anticipate a safe and joyous ceremony and to assist with safety throughout commencement, please alert the Denver Police Department of anything suspicious. If you see something, say something.
Ceremony
Lineup and Seating: There is no rehearsal for the ceremony. Graduates should arrive no later than 7:30 a.m. at Exhibit Hall F in the Colorado Convention Center, which is located on the second floor. Use Entrance F on 14th Street, near the Big Blue Bear statue. Come dressed in your regalia.
The ceremony is estimated to last two and a half hours. In consideration of the audience and the significance of this event, all guests and graduates must remain seated for the entire ceremony.
Programs: Graduates and guests can view or download the program digitally at ucdenver.edu/commencement/program. The program link will be active beginning on Thursday, Dec. 11.
Regalia: Undergraduates wear tassels over the right front of the cap before the degree is conferred. A CU regent will instruct you to move the tassel to the left at the appropriate time. Graduates should wear the tassel for their degree type, not the black and gold souvenir tassel. Doctoral candidates do not wear their hoods during the processional. Hoods should be draped over the left arm until officially presented on stage during the ceremony.
Reader Cards: Your reader card shows how your name will be announced as you cross the stage. Bring your reader card with you to the ceremony to bypass check-in and proceed immediately to the graduate line-up. If you lose your reader card, extras will be available on site. Graduates who elected to ship their regalia to themselves will pick up their reader card at their school or college table on the day of the ceremony.
One side of the reader card has the name on it that you provided when you registered for the ceremony. You will hand this card (name side up) to the presenter on the stage to announce your name. To ensure names are pronounced correctly, we invite you to indicate a phonetic spelling of your name on your card (example: Christopher can be phonetically spelled as kris-tuh-fer). You may also refer to this phonetic spelling guide when filling out your reader card. The other side of the card contains your name, mailing address, and email address. GradImages will use this address to send you proofs of their professional photographs. To receive your proofs faster, please ensure that your email address appears on the card.
Note: Updating your address on the reader card does not update your mailing address for your diploma. If you need to update your diploma mailing address, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
#CUDenverGrad and Livestream: Celebrate your accomplishments on social media! Use the hashtag #CUDenverGrad and join the commencement conversation before, during, and after the ceremony. The ceremony will be livestreamed via the link posted to the commencement website on the day of the ceremony for your friends and family to celebrate with you from afar.
Post-Ceremony
Recessional: At the end of the ceremony, graduates follow the Platform Party to recess out of the ceremony area in the order that they processed in: first in, first out. Please be patient to allow everyone to exit in an orderly fashion.
Regalia Return: Return your rented gown (and hood, if applicable) to the Herff Jones tables and return bins near graduate lineup immediately following the ceremony. Caps and tassels are yours to keep. If you shipped your regalia to yourself, you can return your regalia after the ceremony to the Herff Jones tables or ship your rented items back using the prepaid shipping label that was included in your package. Through updated technology in the regalia, you will be charged for any robes and hoods that are not returned.