Huge CU Boulder Student Party Turns Violent

BOULDER, CO — Hundreds of University of Colorado Boulder students gathered in a street party that turned violent Saturday night, Boulder police said.

Three officers were attacked with bottles and rocks, and several vehicles — including first responder trucks — were badly damaged, police said.

University officials are working with the Boulder Police Department to review videos and photos, authorities said. Students could face suspensions, and some could be arrested in connection with crimes, the university said.

“Detectives will review every lead we have to identify and arrest those responsible for this reprehensible and unacceptable behavior,” said Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold.

People gathered near 10th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in the Hill area Saturday night and officers were sent to disperse the massive gathering. Some people flipped over a car and attacked police vehicles, authorities said. Thousands of dollars in damage was caused to a SWAT vehicle, Herold said.

Photos and videos show many people not wearing masks at the gathering.

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The three officers who were attacked are expected to recover and "are in good condition," Herold said.

"BPD encourages anyone with information about tonight’s events to send it to detectives via our website or social media," the Boulder Police Department said in a tweet Saturday night.

Submissions can be made to Boulder's Evidence Submission Portal.

Officers have "excellent body worn camera video," Herold said. Residents have also been submitting videos, and "there will be arrests," she said. Undercover officers will also be out gathering information.

In a statement issued to the campus community Saturday night, university officials apologized to Boulder residents:

"We are aware of a large party on University Hill on Saturday evening and allegations of violence toward police officers responding to the scene. We condemn this conduct. It is unacceptable and irresponsible, particularly in light of the volume of training, communication and enforcement the campus and city have dedicated to ensuring compliance with COVID-19 public health orders. CU Boulder will not tolerate any of our students engaging in acts of violence or damaging property.

CU Boulder has made it clear to our student body that following county public health orders is required under the student code of conduct. The vast majority of our students have followed these directives. When health officials and police have referred public health order violations to our student conduct office, CU Boulder has responded quickly and imposed discipline when violations were established. Disciplinary actions include interim exclusions from campus and 45 suspensions so far this academic year. We will continue to take these actions to make clear that protecting our community and our campus is of utmost importance and that we will not tolerate such violations. Any student who is found responsible for having engaged in acts of violence toward the law enforcement or other first responders will be removed from CU Boulder and not readmitted.

We appreciate the efforts of law enforcement to address the unacceptable conduct of these students and apologize to the residents of University Hill for their behavior."