Colorado University Athletics

University of Colorado Athletics Credential Policies

Updated Septembrer 8, 2025
 

I. Purpose & Credential Requirements

Media credentials (press and photography passes) issued by the University of Colorado Athletics Department (CU) are required for coverage of Colorado Athletics events on the CU Boulder campus or at CU-managed events off-campus. This includes, but is not limited to: regular-season and postseason competitions, scrimmages, practices, press conferences, and media availabilities.

Credentials are provided solely to working members of the media for the purpose of content creation that promotes editorial coverage of CU Athletics. Credentials:

  • Do not guarantee access to any specific area
  • Are non-transferable and revocable at CU’s sole discretion
  • Must be worn and visible at all times during the event
All media access to University of Colorado coaches, student-athletes, administrators, and athletic facilities must be coordinated through the CU Athletic Communications Office. Unauthorized contact or attempts to bypass the Athletic Communications Office may result in credential revocation and restrictions on future access.

Admission to facilities and the issuance of credentials is strictly conditioned upon compliance with the terms, limitations, and professional standards established in these policies.

Unauthorized use, loaning, or transfer of credentials may result in immediate ejection, permanent revocation for the individual and outlet, and future credentialing restrictions.

II. Credential Applications

All credential requests must be submitted through CU’s online system or directly to the sport’s primary communications contact.

Limits:
Each outlet is generally limited to four (4) working credentials per event:

  • Two (2) Media (writers, editors, reporters)
  • Two (2) Photo/Video (photographers, videographers)
Special Requests:
Requests for additional credentials must be made in writing to the primary sport contact and the Associate AD for Athletic Communications, explaining the special circumstances. CU may prioritize excess requests for current CU students completing formal, University-approved internships with credentialed outlets.

All requests are subject to space limitations, safety considerations, and may be granted, modified, or denied at CU's sole discretion.

III. Credential Eligibility

Credentials are issued to working media from recognized outlets whose primary business function is original sports reporting or editorial content. This includes:

  • Newspapers, wire services, magazines
  • Television and radio stations with sports coverage
  • Online outlets with regular, substantial, original content
Online/Independent Media:
Online-only outlets must meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • Affiliation with a national or regional media company
  • Demonstrated, consistent coverage of CU Athletics with at least one full-time journalist producing original content
Exclusions:
Credentials are not typically issued to:
  • Aggregators or outlets primarily reposting content
  • Fan blogs or message boards without regular editorial reporting
  • Individuals operating solely through social media platforms (YouTube, X, Instagram, etc.) unless specifically approved by CU
  • Outlets that record and post full media availabilities without producing editorial content
Freelancers:
Freelancers must present proof of assignment from a recognized outlet to be considered.

Business Requirements:
Outlets must be lawful business entities with a valid Federal Tax ID. Outlets are fully responsible, including indemnification to CU Athletics, for the behavior of their representatives.

IV. Credential Priority

When space is limited, CU prioritizes as follows:

  • Broadcast partners with contractual rights
  • Daily local beat reporters from major media outlets
  • National outlets providing regular CU coverage
  • Student media (see Section VI)
  • Eligible online-only outlets with full-time staff
  • Outlets with official Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with CU
Season Credentials:
Due to enhanced security standards, season credentials will no longer be provided. Media may request multiple games at a time through CU’s credential system or to the assigned sport contact within the Athletic Communications office.

Credential approval is event-specific; past credentialing does not ensure future approval.

V. Credential Types

CU issues the following media credentials:

  • Media – Reporters, writers, editors, professional scouts
  • Photo – Photographers and videographers with professional equipment actively gathering content
  • TV/Radio – Broadcast partners (home/visiting radio, television crews)
Football Field Access:
Media credential holders may access the field pregame until the completion of Ralphie’s Run and postgame with 5 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Photo credential holders must wear a vest and remain actively engaged in work at all times.

VI. Student Media

Full-time CU Boulder students who are part of recognized student media outlets (e.g., CU Independent, The Bold, Sko Buffs Sports or KVCU) may apply for credentials. All student media representatives are subject to the same professional expectations and policies as other credentialed media.

Other undergraduate students must be working for an approved media outlet and count toward that outlet’s credential allotment.

CU encourages student media to engage with Athletic Communications staff and beat reporters to learn best practices and protocols.

VII. Professional Conduct & Limitations

Credential holders must adhere to:

  • Professional journalistic standards (e.g., SPJ Code of Ethics)
  • CU policies including those specific to the venue, NCAA rules, and applicable laws
Prohibited actions include, but are not limited to:
  • Seeking autographs or personal photos with CU student-athletes, coaches, or staff
  • Soliciting or taking team-issued equipment or merchandise
  • Recording or photographing in restricted areas (locker rooms, training rooms, private team spaces) without prior approval
All descriptions, accounts, photos, and video/audio recordings may only be used for news and editorial purposes. Secondary or commercial use (including for advertising, promotion, NFTs, or NIL-related content) is prohibited without prior written consent from CU.

Outlets are fully responsible, including indemnification to CU Athletics, for the behavior of their representatives.

VIII. NIL, Social Media, and Digital Use

All credential holders must comply with:

  • NCAA Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies
  • Big 12 media rights agreements (as applicable)
  • Conference and NCAA digital media guidelines
Live streaming of events, in-game social media video posts, or live in-game updates beyond standard journalistic practice may be subject to restrictions in accordance with conference guidelines.

IX. Assumption of Risk

Credential holders acknowledge and accept the inherent risks of covering live sporting events, including the risk of injury from participants, equipment, or objects entering spectator/media areas.

X. Revocation, Denial, and Policy Enforcement

CU Athletics reserves the right to:

  • Approve, deny, or revoke credentials at its sole discretion
  • Modify or cancel event credentials due to space, security, or policy violations
  • Revoke credentials for behavior or content that violates University policy, conference or NCAA rules, or this credential policy

XI. Game Day Coverage Guidelines

Credentialed media are expected to adhere to the following guidelines while covering Colorado Athletics events.

Specific to football:

Pregame:

  • The Fred Casotti Press Box opens 3 hours prior to kickoff and remains open 2–3 hours after the game.
  • Field access is allowed for media until the conclusion of Ralphie’s Run or about 5 minutes on the pregame clock. Afterward, only photographers with vests may remain on the field.
  • Photo vests are checked out at Gate 14 (NE ramp). A valid email and phone number are required, and unreturned vests incur a $100 fine.
  • Buff Walk coverage is permitted behind barriers only.
  • Media will receive food vouchers for Balch Fieldhouse concessions.
In-Game:
  • Sideline access is restricted to credentialed individuals actively working.
  • Non-photo credentialed media must stay in designated media areas.
  • No in-game video footage can be posted except by rights-holding TV partners.
  • Field-level photo work areas are reserved for wire services; overflow is available in the Fred Casotti Press Box.
  • Equipment may not be placed along the North End Zone wall.
Postgame:
  • Field access is limited to rights-holders and select photographers.
  • No interviews are permitted on the field postgame except by rights-holding partners.
  • Postgame press conferences for CU and the opponent are in designated locations.
  • Postgame live shots are to be done from the Champions Club Terrace.

XII. Non-Game Online Content Policy

Accredited media outlets may supplement traditional platforms with digital channels under the following conditions:

  • No in-game video may be posted online except by broadcast rights-holders per Big 12 and NCAA rules.
  • No more than three (3) minutes of non-game content (practices, press conferences, interviews) may be posted per day.
  • Non-game content may not be live-streamed or archived in its entirety.
  • All content must be for editorial use only—no sponsorships, ads, or merchandising.
  • Media outlets are encouraged to link back to CUBuffs.com when posting CU content.