Jan. 21, 2020
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 is reported in the United States.
February 2020
CSU researchers receive samples of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and begin investigating its origins by recreating a “wet market” environment in the university Level 3 biocontainment lab. read more
March 4, 2020
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet tours CSU’s Infectious Disease Research Center with Ray Goodrich, executive director of the Infectious Disease Research Center, and Alan Rudolph, CSU vice president for research, to learn more about CSU’s approach to researching a vaccine for the novel coronavirus. read more
March 9, 2020
The Fort Collins Coloradoan reports the first COVID-19 case is found in Larimer County.
March 19, 2020
President Joyce McConnell announces CSU will move all operations to online and virtual services on March 23. read more
March 20, 2020
Undergraduate engineering student and lab technician Labon Hillberry (left) and lab director John Mizia in the Rapid Prototyping Lab, work to support testing of a new disinfectant against COVID-19. read more
March 24, 2020
In the face of national shortages, CSU leadership, faculty and students come together to produce hand sanitizer for the campus community. The initiative expands to include help from two local businesses — Gilded Goat Brewing Co. and CopperMuse Distillery. read more
March 25, 2020
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announces a statewide order for residents not to leave their homes except for critical activities to slow the spread of the coronavirus. “This is the season to stay at home to save lives,” he said at a press conference. The order is expected to stay in place until April 11.
April 16, 2020
Tony Vindell, a Ph.D. student in the School of Advanced Materials Discovery, tests lab gowns for strength, water repellency and flammability. CSU’s Smart Textiles and Nanotechnology Research Group, led by Associate Professor Vivian Li in the Department of Design and Merchandising, is performing a variety of tests on fabrics that could be used for the medical gowns. read more
April 26, 2020
Gov. Polis issues an executive order — “Safer at Home” – encouraging Coloradans to stay at home as much as possible. “We all have a personal responsibility to slow the spread of the virus and must find a way of living that is psychologically and economically sustainable for Coloradans,” he said.
May 13, 2020
President McConnell sends a message and video to the CSU community answering COVID-19 recovery questions, discussing the Fall 2021 semester, budget projections and other topics. read more
May 21, 2020
Early work by CSU researchers testing and quarantining asymptomatic staff in skilled nursing facilities leads to statewide expansion of the program to protect the most vulnerable population from the virus. read more
May 28, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports COVID-19 deaths in U.S. reach 100,000.
May 29, 2020
Dr. Izabela Ragan, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, says the research team she is on has shown that a relatively simple process can kill the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in whole blood and plasma products. read more
June 3, 2020
While the CSU System maintains operations without the deep job cuts seen at other universities, thanks to prudent fiscal management and additional funding available through the federal CARES Act, eligible employees are offered a one-time voluntary retirement incentive. read more
July 16, 2020
Gov. Polis announces a statewide mask order. “Wearing a mask is an easy and highly effective way to significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19,” he said in a news release.
Aug. 18, 2020
In a preview of how remote classes will be delivered during the year, Camille Dungy, renowned poet and member of the CSU English faculty, reads an original poem at the mostly virtual, socially distanced Democratic National Convention. read more
Sept. 1, 2020
CSU launches a social norms campaign encouraging health behaviors such as wearing face coverings, washing hands, maintaining social distancing and keeping gatherings small. read more
Sept. 6, 2020
Civil and environmental engineering faculty and students sample wastewater from one of 17 on-campus collection sites that are part of a targeted monitoring and testing program to manage CSU’s rapid response to COVID-19. read more
Sept. 28, 2020
The New York Times reports that coronavirus deaths pass 1 million worldwide.
Oct. 21, 2020
In response to growing stress and mental health issues among students, a mural of positive messages was installed in the Behavioral Sciences Building by members of the CSU chapter of Active Minds. The student club posted a mural made from 800 sticky notes in the window of the Behavioral Sciences Building. read more
Nov. 4, 2020
Not even the COVID-19 pandemic could stop the tradition surrounding the annual Bronze Boot Run. ROTC cadets from CSU and the University of Wyoming complete their annual game ball relay – this time from Laramie, Wyoming, to Canvas Stadium on campus. CSU captures the boot, winning the Border War football game 34-24. read more
Nov. 13, 2020
President Joyce McConnell and Larimer County Department of Public Health Director Tom Gonzales visit CSU’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories. At the time, the lab had processed more than 60,000 COVID-19 tests, in addition to 95,000 veterinary cases, for pathogens such as rabies and tularemia. read more
Nov. 16-20, 2020
After all the challenges and uncertainties of the past year, CSU students graduating in 2020 received a very special gift before Fall Break: A week of glorious Fort Collins weather to celebrate their accomplishments with a ceremonial Commencement Walk on the historic Oval. read more
Dec. 11-18, 2020
The FDA endorses COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna.
Dec. 14, 2020
Frontline health care workers at UCHealth in Colorado Springs become the first Coloradans to receive vaccinations against the coronavirus.
Jan. 4, 2021
Members of the CSU community begin to receive COVID-19 vaccinations from Larimer County. CSU Health Network employees who are seeing patients and CSU Police Department employees who are first responders are among the first to get the vaccinations distributed by Larimer County Public Health. read more
Jan. 14, 2021
CSU announces that routine COVID-19 saliva screening for all CSU students, faculty and staff who are regularly on campus or other university grounds will be mandatory for Spring semester. read more
Jan. 15, 2021
The World Health Organization reports 2 million people worldwide have died of COVID-19.
Feb. 4, 2021
The vast majority of people around the university are wearing face coverings, and wearing them properly, according to a recent study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. read more
Feb. 12, 2021
In a virtual town hall, President Joyce McConnell says CSU leaders are strongly advocating for college and university educators to be incorporated into the state’s phased rollout of the vaccine as soon as possible. She also outlines plans to expand in-person learning opportunities in Fall Semester. read more
Feb. 19, 2021
Members of the transport crew in Housing and Dining Services drive students who have been exposed to the coronavirus from their residence hall to the unit where they’ll be quarantining. HDS staff have worked hard to make those sudden relocations as smooth as possible, and students have expressed appreciation. read more
Feb. 22, 2021
The New York Times reports 500,000 Americans have died from COVID-19.
Feb. 22, 2021
As CSU scientists continue their research on four coronavirus vaccine candidates, investigators are developing a plan to collaborate with scientists at other universities to create a pan-coronavirus vaccine that could help in future pandemics. read more
March 10, 2021
CSU Health Network receives its first shipment of the Moderna vaccine and begins inoculating eligible employees with the limited supply. Student-facing instructors and staff become eligible under state guidelines March 19, exactly a year to the day after the University’s pandemic pivot began. read more