Auraria Campus is closed Dec. 25, 2025 through Jan. 4, 2026. Happy Holidays!

Graduates walking quickly into the Denver Coliseum.
Graduates walking quickly into the Denver Coliseum.

Ceremony Details

Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

Both ceremonies will be hosted at the Colorado Convention Center

Morning Ceremony | 9:30 a.m. 

College of Aerospace, Engineering, Computing and Design

College of Health and Human Sciences

College of Business

Afternoon Ceremony | 2:30 p.m. 

College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

School of Education

School of Hospitality

Associate of General Studies

Each ceremony will last approximately two hours. Graduates should arrive one hour and 30 minutes prior to the start of their ceremony:  

  • Morning ceremony: arrive by 8 a.m.
  • Afternoon ceremony: arrive by 1 p.m.

The ceremony will be livestreamed to the Commencement homepage for guests who are unable to attend in person. Family and friends are not required to register in advance, and they are not required to have tickets. There is no limit on the number of guests each graduate can bring.

Additional information can be found on the Commencement website.

If you have any questions about the ceremony details and logistics, please email [email protected].

You can also reach out to the graduation evaluation team in the Registrar’s Office via [email protected], as they approve adjustments to students’ CAPP report, determine graduation eligibility, handle graduation applications, perform final degree audits, and distribute diplomas.

Colorado Convention Center Information

  • To enter, use either door off of 14th Street – look for the big blue bear and welcome signs to make sure you’re in the right spot!
  • Follow Commencement signage to Lobby A for Guest Check-in and Lobby F for Grad Check-in.
  • All guests and grads will go through a quick security check-in before being admitted.
  • ADA Check-In will be in Lobby A with direct elevator access to upstairs, to Hall A.
  • Spanish translation devices, bookstore and other merchandise assistance will be located outside of Exhibit Hall A.

Transportation and Parking for Commencement

Although parking in and around downtown Denver and the Convention Center can be challenging, there are numerous options, and planning transportation and parking ahead of time is recommended.

We highly encourage using the drop off/pick up location outside of the Convention Center for any individual(s) in wheelchairs or those who may not be able to walk for periods of time.

Consider the following options for parking and transportation:

  • Discounted all-day rate of $8.25 on the Auraria campus. Please be mindful that Maple and Nutmeg lots are expected to fill quickly, as will the Tivoli Parking Garage due to additional traffic on campus from The Denver Christkindlmarket.
    • USE CODE: 3046054
  • Public lots, garages and street parking downtown. Pricing varies. 
  • Colorado Convention Center Garage (likely to fill quickly). The rate for 8 hours is $13.00.

Those who plan to park on the Auraria campus may choose to enjoy a 15-20 minute walk to the Convention Center, depending on the parking location on campus. Additionally, RTD’s ‘Holiday Train’ is now open, and those interested in this option may board at the ‘Colfax at Auraria Station’ and depart the train at the next stop, the ‘Theatre District/Convention Center’ station. More information and a map of the Holiday Train Route can be found here.

Important Deadlines

  • Primary regalia ordering deadline: Friday, October 10 at 9:59 p.m. MT
  • Secondary regalia ordering deadline (rush home ship only): Friday, November 14 at 9:59 p.m. MT
  • Marching Order RSVP and final changes to Stage Pass deadline: Friday, November 19 at 11:59 p.m. MT

 

Regalia

Regalia is the cap and gown you are required to wear during the ceremony. You must order your regalia through Herff Jones.

All information about regalia is posted here and information about academic honors can be found here.

 

Cap & Gown Pick-Up at St. Cajetan’s

Monday, Dec. 1 | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 2 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

If you miss either of the ordering deadlines, regalia will also be available for purchase at Cap & Gown Pick-Up, or you can purchase regalia the day of the ceremony. We encourage all graduates to order regalia in advance.

 

RSVP Required for Your Ceremony by Nov. 19

You should receive an email from [email protected] after your graduation application has been processed. The email will prompt you to RSVP for your ceremony. The RSVP deadline for the in-person ceremony is Nov. 19 at 11:59 p.m. MT. If you are not attending the ceremony, please still RSVP “no.”

Stage Pass Required: Once you have RSVP’d, you will receive your digital name card, called Stage Pass. You will need to have your Stage Pass on your phone or printed out on the day of the ceremony in order to have your name read as you walk across the stage. If anything needs to be changed on your Stage Pass, including your name, changes must be submitted before Nov. 23.

For Graduation: Your RSVP to your commencement ceremony is only for ceremony participation. Your application to graduate and official degree conferral is handled separately through the Graduation team in the Registrar’s Office. You will receive separate communications regarding your degree status from the Graduation team.