CU Boulder and partners extend The Hill Ambassador Program
CU Boulder is investing $57,000 to extend The Hill Ambassador Program through December. The original pilot ran through March. Extension of the program ensures an ambassador is present on University Hill 32 hours per week, in addition to an ambassador team lead 40 hours per week. The program is a partnership between the university, the city of Boulder and the Downtown Boulder Partnership (DBP).
Ambassadors washing sidewalks on University Hill. Photos courtesy of Downtown Boulder Partnership.
Program overview
The Hill Ambassador Program provides a year-round presence that focuses on clean and safe initiatives, as well as hospitality services for both businesses and visitors on the Hill.
Ambassador responsibilities include daily maintenance such as graffiti removal and trash pickup, as well as providing directions and helpful information to visitors and residents. The ambassadors contribute to a positive visitor experience by reporting unwanted activity and disturbances directly to authorities and deterring unwanted behavior to the best of their abilities by offering information on city ordinances and community resources for those in need.
Positive community response
The pilot was launched on the Hill in April 2023 and has been met with great success by business owners and residents alike. "The ambassador program has been fantastic,” said Mark Heinritz, of The Sink restaurant. “Their dedication to keeping our areas clean and safe is uplifting for the whole community."
Cheryl Liguori, CEO of Z2 Entertainment (Fox Theater and the Boulder Theater), adds, “We love the ambassador program on the Hill! It has had such a positive impact on the commercial district—for the businesses, local residents, visitors and students. This partnership signals that together we are working to create a clean and inviting space for all to enjoy.
“We are incredibly appreciative to CU and the city for funding this initiative and to DBP for overseeing the expansion of the ambassador program to the University Hill commercial district. And most importantly, we thank the wonderful ambassadors for all of their hard work and efforts.”
Program partners committed to success
“The Hill brings together students, long-term Boulder and Hill residents, as well as visitors like football fans, alumni and Macky concertgoers,” said Chancellor Philip DiStefano. “The ambassador program helps address quality of life issues to support the Hill’s vibrancy.”
“The city of Boulder supports the expansion of the ambassador program on University Hill, and we’re looking forward to the benefits this program continues to provide for businesses, visitors and community members,” said Cris Jones, director of the city of Boulder Community Vitality Department.
“With the upcoming opening of two hotels and a conference center bridging the short distance between downtown and the Hill, the expansion of this program is coming at the perfect time,” said Bettina Swigger, CEO of Downtown Boulder Partnership. “The downtown Boulder ambassador program has been transformative in enhancing visitors’ experience to downtown, and we are thrilled to continue to work together to provide these benefits for business owners, students, residents and visitors.”
Community members and businesses within the commercial district are encouraged to reach out to the ambassadors for information or assistance.