FAQs for Lockdowns

Please note the recommendations identified below are best practices but each situation is different and individuals will need to make choices based on the available information and circumstances.

  • Do not open the door for anyone, even if they claim to be police, until the “all clear” is given.
  • Do not huddle together in a group; spread out within your secured space.
  • Do not unlock the door to check if it is safe. 

An active threat is considered any incident in which one or more people create an immediate threat or presents imminent danger to the campus. The weapon used is usually a firearm but could be a knife, other blunt object, an explosive device, or other threatening weapon..

If you or someone you know needs mental health or wellness support, you can connect with resources on campus.

  • Students: The Wellness Center is open and ready to assist. Walk-in hours are 10 am- 4 pm. Monday-Friday. For appointments, call 719.255.4444
    o The TELUS Health app continues to be your access to mental health service free of charge, 24/7, available in multiple languages. Please download the app “TELLUS Health Student Support”.
    o View a list of additional student resources.

Wellness Center case managers to consult about finding resources are on standby to serve the campus community. Please call the Wellness Center at 719-255-4444 if you need to consult about community resources. 

No, it’s not practical to have a detailed plan for every area you visit. However, you can take a moment in various locations to ask, “What if…?” which helps you practice awareness to your surroundings. It will prompt you to make a mental note of exits and identify locations that provide protection. Practicing this regularly makes a critical difference in how you react in a real emergency.

n an active threat situation, the more distance you place between yourself and the person with the weapon, the higher the probability that you will escape injury. Therefore, if you can safely leave the building, run (get out). If you cannot safely leave, find a place to hide (conceal location, barricade, and seek cover). Only fight an active threat as a last resort if you cannot safely run or hide.

However, the focus is on the “options” and that the options are not always linear- one may need to hide (conceal location, barricade, seek cover), and then run/escape.

In the event of a real situation, we would provide as much as information as possible about the actual location of the active harmer. You could then make an educated decision about what action you should take.

Everyone must scan and assess their own situation and choose whether to get out or hide according to their circumstances. It’s okay if your response is different from your manager, co-worker, professor or classmates. Know that research shows evacuating (escaping) the situation is the best course of action, if you can safely do so. However, you have the authority and responsibility to choose the option that is best for your particular circumstances.

Prioritize you safety with these steps:

  • Find Cover: Look for a solid object to shield yourself from gunfire, such as a wall or vehicle.
  • Stay Low: Keep a low profile to minimize your visibility to the threat.
  • Evacuate the Area: Move away from the building and the direction of gunfire as quickly as possible.
  • Alert Authorities: Call 911 or alert law enforcement about the situation, providing details if safe to do so.
  • Follow Instructions: Listen for instructions from law enforcement or emergency personnel and comply with their directions.
  • Help Others: If safe, assist others in evacuating the area or finding cover.

  • Run: attempt to evacuate if there is an accessible escape path
  • Leave your belongings behind
  • Hide: if evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide:
  • TURN OFF YOUR PHONE! Any sound may give away your location
  • Find a spot that is out of the active shooter’s view and provides protection if shots are fired in your direction
  • Avoid places that trap you or restrict your options for movement
  • Lock the door if possible or blockade with heavy furniture
  • Hide behind or under large items
  • Try to avoid huddling in groups
  • Dial 911 to alert police to the active shooter’s location if it is safe to do so (keep phone on silent)
  • If the active shooter is nearby, remain still and quiet
  • Fight: As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:
  • Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her
  • Throwing items and improvising weapons (fire extinguisher, chairs, heavy books, etc.)
  • Yelling
  • Committing to your action

Remain off-campus until you receive an official “All Clear” message from the UCCS ALERT emergency notification system indicating no additional threats exist.

Do not leave a secured area until a trusted source or known police officer advises to do so or until you receive an update on the situation from the UCCS ALERT emergency notification system. Be advised that social media is not a trusted source. If doubt exists for the safety of the individuals inside the room, remain secured until a UCCS ALERT emergency notification advises the threat is over (i.e., until you receive the “All clear” notification).

It is impossible to predict how anyone will react in such an extreme event. Any one of us is capable of becoming a leader with the presence of mind to remember what to do and to take action. It might be an instructor, a member of administration, a member of support staff or a student. With this education, we are all equally prepared to make informed decisions for ourselves. However, No one individual is expected to be a hero. You must do what is right for you. If you are confident you can help others without putting yourself in unnecessary danger, you may choose to do so.

  • Remain calm and follow instructions.
  • Drop items in your hands, such as bags and jackets.
  • Raise hands and spread fingers.
  • Keep hands visible at all times.
  • Avoid quick movements toward officers, such as holding on to them for safety.
  • Avoid pointing, screaming or yelling.
  • Don’t ask questions when evacuating

No, our campus wide lockdown drills consist of simple verbal or electronic instructions.  We do NOT use an “active shooter” drill approach (training weapons, role players, first aid, etc.).  In select situations we may work with an individual department/organization to utilize an “active shooter” drill approach but this will be well publicized and isolated to an individual location on campus.

No.  Plain language is the public safety standard of communication in critical incidents to avoid confusion in stressful situations..

If you are hosting visitors, please inform them of the drill and ask that they follow the campus protocols for drills.

No.  UCCS chooses to provide an announcement of our lockdown drills to minimize emotional impacts to our community.  We may not provide the exact time of the drill.

Follow these three steps if you are unable to immediately get into a lockable location

  • Avoid the threat
  • Evacuate if it is safe to do so
  • Move far enough away until you feel safe

Yes Research shows that the safest place to be in an armed assailant type situation is inside a locked room. As with any active assailant strategy, lockdowns are an important component of an options-based plan.