Our parent and guest programming is designed to address the most common questions parents have about their students attending the University of Colorado from a parent perspective.
All programming for parents and guests is optional, but is highly recommended. Because student attendance at all sessions is mandatory, parents and guests should not make plans with their students that interfere with their attendance, including during the evening events.
Before you make a parent or guest reservation: be sure to review important information about your student's orientation found on the orientation reservation page for the academic college or school to which they were admitted. Parents and guests can only make orientation reservations once their student's orientation session has been confirmed.
Parents and guests attending an orientation session in June or July have presentations scheduled into the early evening on the first day and until approximately 3:00 p.m. on the second day.
Parent and Guest Housing
In order to make orientation attendance affordable, guests of students have the option of staying on campus in a residence hall during our June/July programs (separate from the students).* Facilities are not air-conditioned and baths are shared, so the experience is rustic (and nostalgic for many). See Orientation Costs for parent/guest overnight housing information. Overnight accommodations on campus for parents/guests are limited and we may not be able to honor walk-in requests. Please make your reservations early. Parent and guest overnight accommodations include breakfast on the second day.
See Travel, Parking and Visitor Information for information about local hotels.
Parent and Guest Dinner
The June and July first-year student orientation sessions offer parents and guests the opportunity to attend the Parents and Guests Reception, sponsored by the Office of Parent Relations. Reservations are $15/person, payable at the time of your orientation reservation. Walk-in reservations may not be available.This enjoyable and relaxing event includes entertainment and the opportunity to dine with CU staff members and current CU parents.
Because the August session includes meetings for students in each of the undergraduate colleges and schools as well as move-in, that session is three days and follows a modified pattern from the earlier programs. Parent programming is completed by about 5:00 p.m. on the second day of the First-Year/Freshman session, so parents can plan to leave Wednesday evening.
Parent and Guest Housing
Because all of our students are beginning to move into the residence halls in August, we cannot offer parents and guests the option to stay on campus during August. See Travel, Parking and Visitor Information for information about local hotels.
Parent meals in August
In August parents eat brunch with their students during residence hall move-in. No other meals are provided.
Transfer student sessions offer a one-day parent conference. Check-in begins at 7:00 a.m. on the day of orientation. Presentations last until 5:00 p.m. A continental breakfast is included.
Transfer students and parents/guests who wish to attend a more comprehensive two-day orientation program should call the Office of Orientation to make this request at 303-492-4431.
Parent and Guest Housing
In order to make orientation attendance affordable, guests of students have the option of staying on campus in a residence hall during our June/July programs (separate from the students).* Facilities are not air-conditioned and baths are shared, so the experience is rustic (and nostalgic for many). See Orientation Costs for parent/guest overnight housing information. Overnight accommodations on campus for parents/guests are limited and we may not be able to honor walk-in requests. Please make your reservations early. Parent and guest overnight accommodations include breakfast.
Because all of our students are beginning to move into the residence halls in August, we cannot offer parents and guests the option to stay on campus during August. See Travel, Parking and Visitor Information for information about local hotels.
