Logo Variations

The CU icon—also known as the interlocking CU— is the cornerstone of our visual identity system, and a consistent element in all CU visual expressions across our four campuses and initiatives.

Color Icon:

1-Color Icon:

When used on its own, the CU icon identifies a CU System entity, communication or initiative. Use of the CU icon without a campus identifier is not acceptable for campus, school or unit-level communications, marketing or advertising. Below are the acceptable uses of the CU icon on its own:

The University of Colorado system uses two versions of its seal: the official seal (with our official creed displayed in Greek) and the commercial seal (with our creed displayed in English). Use of both is limited, and subject to the approval processes outlined below.

Official Seal

The official seal is reserved for diplomas, official transcripts, records and admissions documents; written agreements and contracts; and certification of Board of Regents actions.

It is also used on the president’s chain of office, the university mace, commencement programs, regent regalia, and Board of Regents publications and associated collateral.

Use of the official seal for purposes other than those described above is expressly prohibited, and requires formal approval from the secretary of the Board of Regents.

Commercial Seal

The commercial seal has limited application and is used primarily for approved signage and podiums, as well as select promotional items and laboratory coats for CU physicians and researchers.

It may not be substituted for approved university logos on official stationery, marketing collateral, advertising, web pages, electronic applications, general signage, vehicles or apparel.

All other uses of the commercial university seal must receive advance approval from the campus brand manager.

A small number of entities at the university operate under the auspices of, or in conjunction with, external entities (such as the federal government). In select cases, these units may be eligible to combine the external entity’s logo with the university logo in an intentional, brand-supportive format.

Co-Branding Eligibility

1. The group must have a permanent, long-standing contractual connection establishing them as a joint entity between the university and an outside party, or be an official university institute founded and recognized by the CU Board of Regents.
2. The group must justify how the use of a co-branded logo will benefit their business objectives over that of a standard CU logo.
3. The group must receive a co-branding recommendation from their director, their dean (when applicable) and the chancellor.
4. The group must submit a formal proposal detailing the elements above to the CU Brand Identity Standards Board. The board ultimately approves or denies all University of Colorado co-branding requests.

General Guidelines for Co-Branded Entities

• Once approved, co-branded logos may be used for marketing, communications and promotional purposes—including on university stationery.
• Co-branded logos can be used with or without an accompanying wordmark identifying the entity and/or university.
• In all other aspects (size, clear space, unacceptable use, etc.) co-branded logos follow the same usage guidelines as for standard university logos.

Approved Co-Branding Examples:

CU schools and colleges that have been renamed to acknowledge a donor or philanthropic gift may use a slightly customized version of the standard unit logo signature, with the donor name highlighted.

In all other respects, named school logos follow the same rules and guidelines for logo use. This approach applies to donor-named schools and colleges only. Named units, centers and programs are not eligible for this treatment.

Transitioning from a standard to named school logo requires advance approval from the CU Brand Identity Standards Board.

Named School Logo Example:

In certain cases, CU Anschutz schools, colleges and units may require further differentiation from the primary campus logo. In these cases, a logo signature extension may be used.

Unit logos should be used sparingly, and only when the need to communicate the unit identity is greater than that of the university. When in doubt, use the primary CU Anschutz logo.

Custom logos and graphic marks are not permitted for school or unit identification. For more information, see logo policy.

Our logos were created as single, unified graphics. Never separate, retype, replace, reposition, distort or add elements to them.

Unit Logo Examples:

Logos for our clinics and patient-focused units and centers follow the same guidelines as for CU Anschutz units, with one exception.

Clinics and patient-focused sites located off campus are not required to include the term “Anschutz Medical Campus” beneath their name. This helps alleviate any audience confusion for those clinics located throughout the state. Note: The term "University of Colorado" beneath the name can never be omitted from clinic logos.

Clinics and patient-focused sites located on campus follow the standard guidelines for unit logo extensions, including the listing of campus affiliation. See Unit logos above for more information.

Custom logos and graphic marks are not permitted for school or unit identification.

Our logos were created as single, unified graphics. Never separate, retype, replace, reposition, distort or add elements to them.

On-Campus Clinic Logo

Off-Campus Clinic Logo