Signage on the CSU Campus

A variety of signage types exist on campus – interior, exterior, permanent and temporary. These signage guidelines and requirements are intended to preserve the visual integrity of campus by providing a framework for planning and displaying signage to ensure its usefulness and effectiveness to campus, while minimizing visual clutter. The cost of any new sign (whether interior, exterior, permanent or temporary) specific to a building, department or event and its design, project coordination, fabrication and installation is the responsibility of that College, Department and/or Unit; this also includes the cost for removal and storage of any temporary signs and banners.

No permanent or temporary sign, banner or posting will be erected or installed in public areas on University property without the prior written approval of the appropriate University official. Authority to approve these varies depending on the desired location. See the following sections for further information.

This webpage is organized by type of signage and includes specific information pertinent to that type of sign:

• Interior Permanent Signs
• Interior Temporary Signs, Posters and Banners
• Exterior Signs – General Information and Standards
• Exterior Permanent and Temporary Permanent Signs – Who to Contact
• Exterior Temporary Postings, Signs and Banners
• Exterior Temporary Construction Signs

Interior Permanent Signs

• Interior donor walls and “brand” graphics:
  • Contact: CSU Marketing & Communications – Responsible for overall design and content
  • CSU Marketing & Communications will coordinate with CSU Facilities Management Environmental Graphic Designer and CSU Facilities Management Remodel Construction Services (RCS) as needed. CSU Marketing & Communications will then coordinate with RCS or a University-licensed vendor to fabricate and install.
• Interior Room Number Signs:
  • Contact: CSU Facilities Management Remodel Construction Services – Responsible for design, content, fabrication and installation: www.fm.colostate.edu/signs
• All other interior regulatory signs required by code:
  • Contact: CSU Building Department – Responsible for ensuring compliance with required building code signage.
• Interior “inclusivity” signs (i.e., signs for lactation rooms, all gender restrooms, reflection rooms, etc.)
  • Contact: CSU Facilities Management Environmental Graphic Designer (Jessica Kramer) – Responsible for overall design and content at (970) 970-657-3919.
  • CSU Environmental Graphic Designer will coordinate with CSU Marketing & Communications and CSU Facilities Management Remodel Construction Services (RCS) as needed. Environmental Graphic Designer will then coordinate with RSC or University-licensed vendor to fabricate and install.
  • CSU standards for interior inclusive space signage
• Interior Wayfinding and directional signs:
  • Contact: CSU Facilities Management Environmental Graphic Designer (Jessica Kramer) – Responsible for overall design and content at (970) 970-657-3919.
  • CSU Environmental Graphic Designer will coordinate with CSU Marketing & Communications and Facilities Management Remodel Construction Services (RCS) as needed. CSU Environmental Graphic Designer will then coordinate with RSC University-licensed vendor to fabricate and install.

Interior Temporary Signs, Posters and Banners

Refer to CSU Policy: Temporary Signs, Posters, and Banners, Policy ID#: 5-6030-006

Exterior Signs – General Information

It is the policy of Colorado State University to regulate and establish standards for all exterior signage and graphics used on university property, to assist in providing direction and information, to ensure adherence to minimum aesthetic and design standards, and to ensure uniformity in appearance. These guidelines and requirements are effective for all University Campuses: Main, South, and Foothills, as well as ARDEC, and outlying University areas/streets.

• All exterior signage and graphics on campus will be in accordance with standards established by CSU Facilities Management, CSU Marketing & Communications, and any other guidelines published and maintained by the University.
• Exterior temporary signage, banners and graphics will conform to the CSU branding guidelines established by CSU Marketing & Communications. 
• No permanent or temporary exterior sign or graphic will be erected or installed in public areas on University property without the prior written approval of the appropriate University official. Authority to approve a posting on campus varies depending on the desired location of posting. See the following sections for further information.
• All exterior signage and graphics erected without appropriate review and approval are subject to removal or modification at the direction of CSU Facilities Management.
• CSU Facilities Management Campus Planning section establishes and maintains current standards and guidelines for exterior campus signs. This includes the implementation, administration, and interpretation of permanent and temporary exterior sign policy on campus. Standards and guidelines include such things as acceptable sign forms, type styles, sizes, colors, formats, materials, construction methods, materials, and sign locations.
• Requests for exemption from or modification of the current sign standards must be submitted to CSU Facilities Management Campus Planning for review and approval prior to implementing and/or installation.

Exterior Permanent Signs – Who to Contact

• Regulatory parking signs:
  • Contact: CSU Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) – Responsible for design, content, fabrication and installation. (970) 491-7041
  • PTS will coordinate with CSU Facilities Management Environmental Graphic Designer if signage is custom and outside the typical regulatory requirements
• Traffic control signs – stop signs, yield signs, street signs, etc.
  • Contact: Facilities Dispatch at 970- 491-0077 and they will contact Facilities General Services with the request.
• Tribute benches and plaques:
  • Contact: CSU Office of Donor Relations- Responsible for overall coordination of the project. CSU Office of Donor Relations will then work with CSU Facilities Management for specific site location planning and installation coordination. Contact donor_relations@colostate.edu
• All other exterior permanent signs, wayfinding and monuments:
  • Contact: CSU Facilities Management Environmental Graphic Designer (Jessica Kramer) – Responsible for overall design and content at (970) 970-657-3919.
  • CSU Environmental Graphic Designer will coordinate with CSU Marketing & Communications as needed. CSU Environmental Graphic Designer will then coordinate with University-licensed vendor to fabricate and install.
  • CSU Exterior Sign Guidelines
  • CSU Exterior Sign Standards

Exterior Temporary Postings, Signs and Banners

Refer to CSU Policy: Temporary Signs, Posters, and Banners, Policy ID#: 5-6030-006: http://policylibrary.colostate.edu/policy.aspx?id=542

Exterior Temporary Construction Signs

• These type of signs are to be coordinated, designed and located through the CSU Facilities Management Environmental Graphic Designer
  • Contact: CSU Facilities Management Environmental Graphic Designer (Jessica Kramer) – Responsible for overall design and content at (970) 970-657-3919.

CSU Environmental Graphic Designer will coordinate with CSU Marketing & Communications as needed. CSU Environmental Graphic Designer will then coordinate University-licensed vendor to fabricate and install.