High School Graduation 2026 Announcement
Dear Permit Holder,
Once again it is time for DU to host area high school graduations. Historically, these events often have the potential to make parking more challenging on campus. A great deal of planning for these events has taken place between departments to mitigate the impact of these visitors to the campus system. We want to thank you in advance while we support our campus event cohorts in executing these plans.
More specifically, this year’s high school graduations will occur from Friday, May 15th, through Friday, May, 29th . During this period, there will be either rehearsals or graduations each day, including weekends. Many of these graduations will have little impact on our daily operations. However, there are a number of days where parking on campus could become an issue. Given the information below, please plan your commute accordingly. We strongly encourage you to, consider taking other modes of transportation to campus such as public transit, ride sharing, and cycling.
You can see the full graduation schedule below.
On these days, if you routinely park in Lots 103N, 108, C, L, W, or P we recommend you plan to arrive before these events begin. We also recommend giving yourself additional time to get to your classes/offices in the event your normal lot is full.
#1 = Graduations using Lot P, #2 = Graduations using Lots 103/108/C/L/W/T.
| Friday, May 15 | Ceremony Time | Doors Open | Parking Opens | # of Graduates |
| #2 - Arapahoe Community College | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 500 |
| Monday, May 18 | | | | |
| #2 - Rangeview | 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM | 7:00 AM | 450 |
| #1 - William Smith | 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM | 150 |
| #2 - Vista Peak | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 485 |
| #1 - Aurora West | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 150 |
| #1 - APS Avenues | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 100 |
| #2 - Pickens Tech | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 650 |
| Tuesday, May 19 | | | | |
| #2 - Gateway | 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM | 7:00 AM | 315 |
| #2 - Aurora Central | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 380 |
| #2 - Hinkley | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 324 |
| Wednesday, May 20 | | | | |
| #2 - Elevation | 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 80 |
| #2 - Endeavor | 1:30 PM | 12:30 PM | 11:30 AM | 100 |
| Thursday, May 21 | | | | |
| #2 - Overland | 8:00 AM | 7:00 AM | 6:00 AM | 500 |
| #2 - Smoky Hill | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 560 |
| #2 - Eaglecrest | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 655 |
| Friday, May 22 | | | | |
| #2 - Grandview | 8:00 AM | 7:00 AM | 6:00 AM | 620 |
| #1 - Kunsmiller Creative Arts | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 43 |
| #2 - Cherokee Trail | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 730 |
| #2 - Rock Canyon | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 600 |
| Saturday, May 23 | | | | |
| #2 - Heritage | 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM | 7:00 AM | 430 |
| #2 - LIttleton | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 270 |
| #2 - Arapahoe | 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 415 |
| Tuesday, May 26 | | | | |
| #2 - Thunder Ridge | 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM | 7:00 AM | 425 |
| #2 - Thomas Jefferson | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 300 |
| Wednesday, May 27 | | | | |
| #2 - JFK | 8:00 AM | 7:00 AM | 6:00 AM | 145 |
| #2 - COLOCA Graduation | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 275 |
| Thursday, May 28 | | | | |
| #1 - Respect Academy | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 100 |
| #2 - Northfield | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 530 |
| #2 - Denver South | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 435 |
| Friday, May 39 | | | | |
| #2 - Denver North | 8:00 AM | 7:00 AM | 6:00 AM | 400 |
| #2 - MLK JR | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 180 |
On these days, if you routinely park in #2: Lots 103N, 108, C, L, T or W, or #1: Lot P, we recommend you plan to arrive before these events begin. We also recommend giving yourself additional time to get to your classes/offices in the event your normal lot is full.
Important things to know:
- You will not be refused entry or have to pay extra to park in your assigned lot. However, there is no guarantee that your lot will have space for you.
- Should your restricted lot be full, your permit will allow you to park in alternate lots on these days, if spaces are available. The alternate parking lots that will be available are Lots H1 and P. Please see the location for these parking lots here https://www.du.edu/parking/parking-locations-and-maps
- Your permit will not allow you to park in hourly-metered lots for free. We still need to leave these spaces for our hourly visitors to campus.
- NO PARKING, FIRE LANE and ADA spaces will be strictly enforced.
