Services & Support

What to Expect

The Ombuds Office provides confidential, independent, impartial, and informal support to help students, faculty, and staff navigate challenges, resolve conflicts, and improve communication. We offer one-on-one consultations, conflict coaching, facilitated conversations, mediation, and guidance for navigating university processes and resources. Whether you're preparing for a difficult conversation, exploring options for addressing a concern, or seeking strategies to resolve a conflict, we provide a safe space to think through your situation and make informed decisions. In addition to individual support, we partner with departments and campus groups to offer presentations, workshops, and consultations that strengthen communication, build conflict resolution skills, and promote a healthy campus climate.

1. Schedule an Appointment

Getting started is simple. You can request an appointment by calling 303-492-5077 or visiting our office in C4C S484. We'll work with you to find a time that fits your schedule, whether you prefer to meet in person or virtually.

During your first meeting, the Ombuds will explain the office's principles of confidentiality, independence, impartiality, and informality so you understand what to expect. You'll have the opportunity to share your concerns in a private, judgment-free environment.

The Ombuds will listen carefully, ask questions to better understand your experience, and help clarify the issues involved. Together, you'll identify your goals, concerns, and what a successful outcome might look like.

Rather than telling you what to do, the Ombuds will help you evaluate your options. These may include coaching you for a conversation, facilitating communication, referring you to campus resources, exploring informal resolution strategies, or discussing formal university processes if appropriate. You'll decide which option best meets your needs. The Ombuds can help you prepare for conversations, practice communication strategies, anticipate challenges, and think through possible outcomes before you take action.

Many concerns are resolved after a single conversation, while others may require additional meetings. You are welcome to return to the Ombuds Office at any point to discuss new developments, reassess your options, or receive continued support.

Our Services

  • Confidential one-on-one consultations
  • Exploring options for resolving concerns
  • Coaching for difficult conversations
  • Conflict management strategies
  • Communication skills coaching
  • Reality testing and perspective-taking
  • Clarifying university policies and processes
  • Identifying appropriate campus resources
  • Preparing for meetings with faculty, staff, or supervisors
  • Navigating academic, workplace, and interpersonal conflicts
  • Support for addressing power dynamics
  • Referrals to campus and community resources
  • Informal mediation
  • Facilitated conversations
  • Conflict coaching
  • Group facilitation
  • Faculty/student conflicts
  • Interpersonal conflicts
  • Student organization disputes
  • Classroom communication concerns
  • Academic integrity process navigation
  • Research relationship concerns
  • Internship or practicum conflicts
  • Identity-based concerns (while referring to appropriate reporting offices when necessary)
  • Understanding university complaint options
  • Supervisor/employee conflicts
  • Workplace communication issues
  • Department climate concerns
  • Team dynamics
  • Performance conversation coaching
  • Career conflict consultation
  • Cross-department collaboration challenges
  • Leadership coaching around conflict
  • Navigating organizational change
  • Civility and respectful workplace concerns