CU Denver Commencement

No, you do not have to attend. Commencement is an optional activity to celebrate the completion of your degree. A fee is charged to those students who do opt to participate to help offset the costs of producing the ceremony.

Graduates do not receive their diplomas at the ceremony. All diplomas are mailed to graduates approximately two months after the end of the semester. Diploma addresses can be updated via the student portal.

To ensure that all students are wearing the proper regalia and that it is consistent with the university's quality standards, all graduates are required to rent caps and gowns through Herff Jones, our official vendor.  All CU Denver Graduates wear regalia featuring CU colors.

Cancellations received by the close of cap and gown registration will receive a full refund. After this date the commencement fees cannot be refunded.  If you chose to ship your regalia to you, it can be returned for a refund in the return envelope.  You will only receive a full refund if the gown was unopened.

Yes, you can still participate and your name will be read, but you will be charged late fees. You will need to go to cap and gown pick-up (Wednesday, December 7th between 10am-7pm or Thursday, December 8th between 10am-5pm in St. Cajetan’s on the Auraria Campus, just south of the King Center) to rent your cap and gown and pay the commencement fees. Please note that all on-site payments will include a $50 late fee in addition to the standard commencement fees.