If you are a student looking for a Colorado Title IX lawyer, this page links to our guides for three Colorado public universities. Each guide explains, in general terms, how that university handles a Title IX or sexual misconduct complaint against a student.
Each university runs its own process under its own policy. The written notice you receive, and the policy version it names, control your case.
How Colorado universities handle Title IX cases
These three universities do not share one Title IX procedure.
- CU Denver is part of the University of Colorado system. Its cases are handled by the Office of Equity under APS 5014, Sexual Misconduct, Intimate Partner Violence, and Stalking, a University of Colorado system policy that applies to all CU campuses, together with the Office of Equity Resolution Procedures. One Office of Equity and one set of procedures serve both CU Denver and CU Anschutz.
- Colorado State University (Fort Collins) has its own Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy (ID 12-015-001) and separate Title IX procedures.
- Metropolitan State University of Denver has its own Title IX Procedures, run by its Office of Equal Opportunity, and a separate procedure for harassment and discrimination complaints outside Title IX.
Colorado State and MSU Denver each keep their Title IX process separate from other ways of handling sexual misconduct, such as a discrimination procedure or the student conduct process. CU Denver’s documents also divide Title IX cases from other sexual misconduct, but its 2026-2027 procedures set out one process, with a live hearing offered, for all complaints under the policy.
Each school’s procedures provide a live hearing in Title IX cases. At CU Denver, both parties can agree to waive it. At Colorado State and CU Denver, advisors conduct cross-examination, and the university provides an advisor if you do not have one. At Colorado State, you request that advisor at least five business days before the hearing.
The schools count days differently. Colorado State’s procedures use business days for the deadlines described in our guide. CU Denver’s procedures define a day as a calendar day. MSU Denver’s Title IX Procedures use business days in some sections and do not say in others.
Colorado university guides
- Colorado State University: Colorado State uses its Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, last revised February 21, 2025, and the Title IX office’s procedures. The procedures give 10 business days to appeal a hearing decision, counted from the date the decision is sent. A dismissal notice has its own appeal instructions.
- CU Denver: the Office of Equity applies APS 5014 and the Resolution Procedures effective August 3, 2026. The procedures give seven calendar days to appeal, counted from the determination if no violation is found, or from the Notice of Sanction if a violation is found. The student code has a separate appeal route for code cases.
- MSU Denver: the Office of Equal Opportunity applies the Title IX Procedures to conduct that would be a Title IX violation if proved. See the school page for appeal timing, because two sections of the procedures do not agree on it.
Common questions
Do all Colorado public universities follow the same policy?
No. APS 5014 is a University of Colorado system policy, so of the schools on this page it applies only to CU Denver. Colorado State and MSU Denver have their own policies and procedures.
Is the appeal deadline the same everywhere?
No. Colorado State’s procedures say 10 business days from the date the hearing decision is sent. CU Denver’s procedures say seven calendar days, with the start date depending on the outcome. MSU Denver’s procedures conflict, so ask the Office of Equal Opportunity in writing and check your notice.
Which policy version applies to my case?
Check the version your notice names. CU Denver’s procedures say the current procedures apply along with the policy in effect when the alleged conduct occurred. Colorado State’s policy and procedures show different dates. MSU Denver’s policy shows an effective date in its headers but TBD in its history section.
Talk to a Colorado Title IX lawyer
If you have received a notice from a Colorado university, you can contact us to talk about your situation and the documents you have.
Disclaimer
This page is general information only and is not legal advice. This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any university named on this page. Reading this page or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. University policies and procedures change. The notice you receive and the policy version it names control your case, so check your notice.
