The university recognizes the importance of grammatical consistency and accuracy throughout its written communications, both digital and print. Our editorial style is based upon the , with some exceptions and refinements. The following guide defines those exceptions and highlights some of the most common style questions that arise.
Last Update: Jan. 11, 2022
Avoid mentioning a person’s age unless it’s specifically relevant to the story. University language and policies must not discriminate based on a person’s age.
When writing about historically underserved groups, you should use the university’s preferred terminology provided in this section of the Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó Style Guide. Whenever possible, avoid defining people by the problems they face. Instead, define people in positive terms while also acknowledging the systemic problems that have historically served as barriers.
Use people-first language and be specific about the groups and the system that affected them. Blacks, Native Americans, and other groups of people do not self-identify as one large, underrepresented group or underrepresented minority.
NOT: Underrepresented faculty held a listening session.
YES: Black faculty who are underrepresented in the sciences held a listening session.
NOT: We must make higher education accessible to underrepresented minorities.
YES: We must increase enrollment for Black, Native American, and Latino students, as well as for students with disabilities.
To communicate in a way that is true to and respectful of a person's lived experiences, it is important that language accurately reflects the person's gender. When writing about someone, use the pronouns they prefer. If you are unsure which pronouns a person prefers, then ask. If a person's preferred pronouns remain unknown, then use gender-neutral pronouns.
Gender and sex are not the same. Gender is social whereas sex is biological. A person's gender can align with their sex, or it can differ. Both gender and sex can exist on spectrums, neither entirely male or entirely female. Some individuals may use multiple pronouns sets interchangeably.
Gender-neutral terms are more inclusive and representative than gendered terms. For this reason, it is preferable to use terms such as first-year students and first-year instead of freshmen or freshman. Gendered Latin nouns such as alumnus and alumna are not commonly understood in modern English. Alum and alums (or alumni) are easily understood by most audiences.
Unnecessary or excessive references to gender can indicate bias. Historically, such usage has suggested a person’s gender is unusual in a given context, which perpetuates exclusionary practices. Examples of unnecessary, irrelevant references to gender include female doctor and male nurse.
When gender is unknown or irrelevant, do not use "his/her" or "he/she." Using a slash this way is no longer preferred in formal writing. Use the third-person singular, or use plural to avoid this altogether.
Since 2017, AP has allowed for the use of the third-person singular. Use the singular they, them, and their when referring to a person whose gender is unknown or irrelevant.
It is appropriate to use they, them, and their if a person identifies as nonbinary or gender fluid. Describe the person the way they want to be described. Some people use male and female pronouns interchangeably. Some people do not use pronouns at all and use only their names.
Though the university typically avoids using honorifics, the title Mx. (pronounced like mix or mux ) is an acceptable, non-gendered alternative to Mr. or Ms. and should be used if the person prefers it.
Do not use gendered pronouns that contradict a person’s gender identity, particularly when writing about a transgender person’s experience prior to their transition. To avoid outing someone, ask for their permission before identifying them as transgender. Trans is acceptable on second reference.
Demi is a nonbinary person, and they appreciate your use of their pronouns.
Mx. Luevano shared their perspective and hopes more students like them feel empowered to speak up.
Language is constantly changing to more accurately reflect the reality of all our experiences. If you encounter an issue which is not addressed above, look to resources such as for further guidance.
When marking possession with a word that ends in “s,” use an apostrophe after the “s” consistently. Do not add an extra “s” after the apostrophe.
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For the sake of consistency and simplicity, always use the serial comma (also called an Oxford comma) in a series or list. This is a break from AP Style, which uses it only when necessary for clarity.
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When quoting verbatim, always place periods and commas within the closing quotation mark. Dashes, colons, semicolons, question marks, and exclamation marks go inside the closing mark only when they apply to the quoted material. When they apply to the whole sentence, they are placed outside of the mark.
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Use an en dash with a space on either side to indicate a range, replacing the words “through” or “to”:
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Use an em dash with no spaces on either side to mark a break in thought or to add emphasis.
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Use hyphens in compound modifiers (two or more words that modify the same noun), to avoid ambiguity, or if the word that follows a prefix begins with a capital letter. For compound words or words with prefixes and suffixes, check the dictionary (AP uses Webster’s New World College Dictionary).
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Use hyphens in phone numbers with no spaces on either side.
EXAMPLE:
Per AP style, spell out numbers under 10; use figures for numbers 10 and up.
For percentages, use numerals and percent sign, no space. (Note: New rule in 2019.)
Avoid beginning sentences with numerals. When a sentence does begin with a number, always spell the number out. Years are the only exception.
For times, denote a.m. or p.m. with lower-case letters with periods, no spaces between. Use a colon to separate hours and minutes. Do not use a colon and zeros for on-the-hour times.
In phone numbers, use hyphens with no spaces on either side.
Always use numerals with street addresses, ages, dollars and cents, measurements, temperature, millions and billions, and congressional districts.
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An abbreviation is a shortened or contracted form of a word or phrase used to represent the whole: TRiO, SGA, NCAA. An acronym is an abbreviation that is read as a word: CAM, MEC, NASA.
Use abbreviations and acronyms in moderation. When using uncommon abbreviations or acronyms, on first use spell out the full name and follow it by the abbreviation or acronym in parentheses. (If the abbreviation or acronym is not used after the first mention, do not abbreviate it.) Do not assume readers are familiar with the university.
EXAMPLE:
The College of Arts & Media (CAM) is sponsoring an art exhibit at the museum next month. Exhibits hosted by CAM are free to all students.
Do not use periods when abbreviating academic degrees: BA, BFA, MBA, PhD, etc.
Articles (a, an, the) with acronyms and abbreviations
Use the article that you would use when speaking. Sometimes, no article is necessary.
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Per AP style, spell out month names that stand alone. Abbreviate month names when used with a specific date: September 2019; Dec. 14, 2019
For all month abbreviations, see MONTHS in AP Stylebook.
Per AP style, spell out street names without a number and abbreviate street names in a complete address: Grant Street; 1350 Lawrence St.
Instead of courtesy titles (Dr., Prof., etc.), use degree names. Do not capitalize the names of degrees. Use an apostrophe in bachelor’s degree, master’s, etc. Do not use an apostrophe in bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, or master of science. Use PhD or doctor of philosophy degree instead of doctorate or doctoral degree. Associate degree is never plural (associates) or possessive (associate's).
Areas of study (music, genetics, physical therapy, electrical engineering) are not capitalized unless used as part of a proper name.
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Departments and areas of study can use the same words, so it’s important to differentiate between them.
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For academic degree abbreviations, see ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS in the AP Stylebook.
Board of Regents is capitalized on first use. On second use, regents is lowercase. Regent is capitalized before the full name of a regent. When using a regent’s full title, place the district after the name, separated by commas. Second reference to the regent is last name only.
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Congressional districts are always indicated in numerals, an exception to the general AP Stylebook rule to spell out all numbers less than 10.
Use quotation marks for titles of shorter works such as articles, short stories, poems, or songs. Use italics for titles of longer works such as books, movies, albums, and paintings, as well as publication names of newspapers and magazines.
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Capitalize all important words. Do not use quotation marks or italics.
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As of Jan. 22. 2020, communicators voted to use Title Case, in order to format headlines and subheads in the same style as faculty and students. For social media and digital advertising, follow the conventions that perform best (for example, capitalizing ALL words).
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List of Lowercase Words:
Capitalize job titles only when preceding a name. Place longer titles after the name. With multiple titles, use the one most relevant to the subject matter. For faculty, link names with their department page.
Use degrees instead of courtesy titles. With multiple degrees, use the highest degree. Do not use degrees with highly quoted prominent administrators.
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After alumni names, list their the two-digit graduation year with an apostrophe on the left, facing left. Only include the degree name if it is an advanced degree, abbreviated with capital letters, no periods. Include a character space between the degree and graduation year. When listing multiple degrees, do so in chronological order and use a comma to separate degrees.
All alumni of Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó, including faculty and staff, should be notated as such in all print and web instances.
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE: Year of graduation.
ADVANCED DEGREE: Degree and year of graduation.
BOTH UNDERGRADUATE AND ADVANCED DEGREES: Just year for undergrad and degree name for advanced (separated by a comma).
MULTIPLE ADVANCED DEGREES: Degree and year of graduation for each (separated by a comma).
Only list one year if multiple advance degrees from the same year.
LIST OR GROUP: When referring to a couple or group in which at least one of the individuals is a graduate, reference degrees individually.
OTHER CU DEGREES: If the individual earned another degree at a different CU institution, it could be referenced in context.
ADVANCED DEGREE FROM OTHER INSTITUTION: When referring to alumni who have earned a medical or doctoral advanced degree at another institution, instead of using the title “Doctor” preceding the name, place the degree designation after the graduate’s class year.
SCHOOL/COLLEGE AFFILIATION: When mentioning a Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó College or School affiliation, it should be included as context.
NON-DEGREED ALUMNI: If someone left Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó before graduating, omit a reference to degree and use context.
Capitalize only the official and complete names of colleges, schools, departments, divisions, offices, buildings, and official bodies. Do not capitalize semester names or seasons. Do not capitalize university unless using the complete proper name of the university. To conserve space, whenever possible omit terms like “Office of” and “Department of.”
For schools and colleges, use full official name on first reference (some use an ampersand and some use “and;” see below). Subsequent references may use the appropriate school abbreviation or acronym, which should be indicated in parentheses after the full name.
Capitalize the educational facility and organization Auraria Campus and Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC).
Learn more about university naming guidelines.
For more on abbreviations and acronyms, see ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS in the AP Stylebook.
Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó
Lawrence Street Center
1380 Lawrence Street
Denver, CO 80204