Police at the University of Colorado Boulder, responding to reports of shots fired in Norlin Library on Aug. 25, 2025. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
The University of Colorado Boulder is confirmed to be the latest target of a growing, nationwide series of hoax phone calls called ‘swatting.’
CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz verified in a statement that the campus-wide shelter in place that occurred Monday evening was a result of these calls.
According to the statement, swatting is a “malicious and false emergency call intended to provoke fear, confusion and disruption.”
CU Boulder is one of at least half-a-dozen campuses nationwide to have been targeted by hoax calls this week.
At approximately 4:54 p.m. yesterday, the campus was put in a shelter-in-place due to police activity at Norlin Library.
At 5:28 p.m., another emergency alert was released by the university, announcing the investigation of shots fired. An additional alert announced that CUPD is investigating a potential swatting incident.
At 8:18 p.m., CUPD issued the all clear for Norlin Library. Information for students about how to retrieve belongings can be found on the university’s alerts website. The chancellor’s statement links to campus safety resources for further student support.
Contact CU Independent News Editor Ainsley Coogan at Ainsley.coogan@colorado.edu
