Emergency Notifications, Timely Warnings, Safety & Security Notices

Welcome to the webpage for Emergency Notifications, Timely Warnings, and Security and Safety Notices. The information provided here will help the campus community understand the purposes and criteria for each type of notification and the differences between them.

Colorado College issues Emergency Notifications and Timely Warnings to inform the campus community about serious safety concerns. These notifications are evaluated and issued based on federal Clery Act requirements, campus geography, and the nature of the threat. Safety and Security Notices are used to share safety-related information that may be important to the campus community but does not meet the criteria for an Emergency Notification or Timely Warning.

Colorado College works to issue Emergency Notifications, Timely Warnings, and Safety and Security Notices as quickly as possible while confirming accurate information. Details may change as situations are assessed, and updates will be provided when appropriate.

Emergency Notifications

Notifications alerting the campus community to immediate threats to health or safety that require urgent action.

Purpose:

  • Rapid life-safety communication
  • Clear instructions for protective action

Timely Warnings

Provide notice of certain serious crimes that have occurred and may pose a continuing threat to the campus community.

Purpose:

  • Alert the campus community to Clery-reportable crimes
  • Enable protective action
  • Reduce the risk of further harm
  • Promote transparency

Safety and Security Notices

Promote situational awareness and crime prevention when an incident does not meet the criteria for an Emergency Notification or Timely Warning.

Purpose:

  • Alert the campus community to non-Clery-reportable crimes or other safety and security concerns
  • Promote crime prevention
  • Increase situational awareness
  • Encourage reporting
  • Support transparency and community trust
  • Provide educational information about risks, resources, and available support services.

Assessment Criteria

Emergency Notifications:

An Emergency Notification may be issued when:

  • A significant emergency or dangerous situation is confirmed
  • The situation poses an immediate threat to campus safety
  • Prompt action is necessary to protect life or health
Examples Include
  • Active threat or violence
  • Fire or explosion
  • Hazardous materials release
  • Severe weather is impacting the campus
  • Gas leaks or major utility failure

 

Timely Warnings:

A Timely Warning may be issued when all or most of the following apply:
Clery Geography
  • The incident occurred:
    • On campus
    • On public property immediately adjacent to campus
    • In non‑campus properties controlled by the College
Clery‑Reportable Crime
  • Crimes that may trigger a Timely Warning include:
    • Robbery
    • Aggravated assault
    • Burglary (pattern‑based or risk‑driven)
    • Sexual assault
    • Dating or domestic violence
    • Stalking
    • Hate crimes
    • Hazing
Continuing Threat Assessment
  • Unknown or at‑large suspect
  • Similar incidents or patterns identified
  • Credible risk of recurrence
Each situation is evaluated individually. Not all reported crimes require a Timely Warning.

A Safety and Security Notice may be issued when:

  • There is a safety concern for students, faculty, or staff.
  • Awareness would help prevent future incidents.
  • A crime trend develops.
  • The activity occurs on or near campus.
  • Community members are likely to encounter a similar risk.
  • Educational messaging is warranted even if there is no continuing threat.

Examples Include:

  • Suspicious activity reports
  • Attempted crimes that do not present a continuing threat
  • Community safety reminders
  • Off-campus incidents with limited campus impact
  • Crime prevention information
  • Emerging safety concerns that warrant awareness

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Content and Distribution

Emergency Notifications:

Emergency notifications will be short communications briefly describing the nature and location of the emergency, as well as the action to take during the emergency. Messages are templated for various incidents to allow for quick customization and rapid issuance.

These Emergency notifications will be distributed through the Rave Emergency Messaging System. All CC faculty, staff, and students should automatically receive notifications through their CC email addresses. Individuals can add voice and text message notifications through their Rave profiles.

  • Rave will send emergency notifications via email, voice, text message, and an RSS feed visible at the top of Colorado College's website homepage.
    • These alerts will show as a “CC Alert” followed by the reason for the alert. Examples are, but not limited to:
      • CC Alert: EVACUATE: FIRE
      • CC Alert: EVACUATE: FLOOD
      • CC Alert: LOCKDOWN

Please register with Rave if you would like to start receiving campus notifications by text, phone call, and/or email.

 

Timely Warnings:

The content of a Timely Warning will generally consist of the following:

  • The type of crime
  • Date and time of the occurrence
  • Location of the incident
  • Brief description of what occurred
  • Suspect description, if available and appropriate to share
  • Statement of the ongoing threat or reason for warning
  • Appropriate tips for crime prevention and support for the community
  • Instructions for reporting information to Campus Safety or law enforcement

Timely Warnings are distributed via mass email notification to Colorado College email accounts of all students and employees.

  • A Timely Warning is not necessarily issued immediately upon receipt of a report. The term "timely" refers to providing notification as soon as sufficient information is available to evaluate the circumstances, determine whether a serious or continuing threat exists, and communicate accurate and actionable information to the campus community. Depending on the circumstances, this process may require time to gather information from reporting parties, witnesses, or external law enforcement agencies.

Safety and Security Notice:

The content of a Safety and Security Notice will generally consist of the following:

  • What happened?
  • Where and when did it occur?
  • Is there any known risk to the community?
  • What prevention tips should people follow?
  • What resources are available?
  • How can concerns be reported?

Safety and Security notices are distributed via mass email notification to Colorado College email accounts of all students and employees.

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FAQs

What is the difference between a Timely Warning and an Emergency Notification?
Why doesn't Colorado College send a notification immediately after an incident occurs?
Why does information sometimes change after a notification is sent?
Are all incidents reported to Campus Safety Shared through campuswide alerts?
What factors might delay notification?
Who decides whether a Timely Warning or Emergency Notification
How can community members help?
Report an issue - Last updated: 08/03/2026