


CU Denver students have opportunities for recreational and club sports, but prospective applicants should not assume that the university operates an NCAA varsity athletics program. Club participation, intramural competition, and fitness activities serve different purposes and may have different eligibility, fees, and schedules.
Reported activities include basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, badminton, and ultimate Frisbee, among others. A listed sport does not necessarily mean there is a varsity team or that a particular club is active every term. Students interested in competitive play should verify the current recreation or club-sports roster, especially because activities at the downtown and Anschutz campuses may differ.
CU Denver offers recognized student organizations through which students can pursue academic interests, cultural activities, service, arts, and recreation. Student government provides another route to participate in campus decisions and programming.
Organization offerings change as students join, graduate, and register groups. Someone considering a professional club, identity-based association, or performing group should check the current organization directory and meeting information rather than rely on a past list. Recognized student groups are distinct from university offices: a student-run organization may host peer activities, while an advising or wellness office delivers an institutional service.
The institution reported 23,124 enrolled students across its undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. That combined figure represents a much wider population than the first-year undergraduate class at CU Denver.
Reported intake included 1,440 first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates and 1,495 transfer-in students, illustrating the significance of transfer pathways. Students are not all traditional-age entrants: the reported enrollment includes 4,414 people ages 25-29, alongside younger students and those in later age groups. Colorado residents account for a reported 89% of the measured student population.
Reported racial and ethnic enrollment includes substantial White, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, Black or African American, and multiracial student populations. Counts from different enrollment reports can cover different dates or student groups, so they should not be combined into a single demographic total without checking their definitions. Campus, degree level, and course schedule will also shape whom a student encounters day to day.
Student life at CU Denver reflects a shared urban campus and a substantial population of transfer and older students, alongside first-year residents. A student's daily routine may center on classes at Auraria, work or commuting, and scheduled activities rather than a traditional residential-college schedule.
New-student programming, gathering spaces, recreation, and cultural events offer ways to connect outside class. The university also reports health services, personal counseling, veterans' support, and other student services. Availability and location matter: a service on the downtown campus may have different hours or access procedures from one at Anschutz. Students balancing employment or family responsibilities may find it useful to check whether advising, activities, and appointments fit their actual timetable.
Auraria Library is the main library serving CU Denver students downtown. CU Anschutz students use the Strauss Health Sciences Library for health-sciences study and research; access policies can vary by campus and user status.
Auraria Library provides study areas, reservable rooms, research assistance, and access to books, journals, databases, and other academic materials. The health-sciences library emphasizes clinical and biomedical information resources. For both locations, online access to licensed material, borrowing rules, and interlibrary-loan options depend on a student's university credentials. Students who need a late-night workspace should check current building hours rather than assume a library is open around the clock.
Total enrollment
23124Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
1397Total staff
5452 full time, 1079 part timeVeterans affair office
YesVarsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).
Sport
Badminton
Basketball
Cheerleading
Cross-country running
Ice hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming and diving
Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Data last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.