Code Talker Hall opens, adding 332 beds at CU Boulder

BOULDER — A dedication ceremony was held Wednesday on the University of Colorado Boulder campus for Code Talker Hall, which adds a new 332-bed residence hall designed for non-first-year undergraduate students.

The residence hall at 1945 Athens St. commemorates Native American Code Talkers, who served during World Wars I and II and used their Indigenous languages to transmit coded messages that enemy intelligence could not decipher.

“Code Talker Hall meets an important need for students while honoring a remarkable legacy of service,” CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz said in a prepared statement. “The Native American Code Talkers used their languages and cultures in service to our country, and we are proud to recognize their contributions through a building that will serve students for years to come.”

The ceremony included remarks from university leaders, a military color guard, the national anthem performed by the CU Buffoons a cappella group, tribal leader blessings, a plaque unveiling and a ribbon cutting.

Code Talker Hall also has a connection to CU Boulder’s history of supporting veterans. The building was constructed on the former site of VetsVille, a student veteran community established in 1945 as temporary housing for World War II veterans returning to school under the GI Bill.

“In honoring the legacy of the Native American Code Talkers, we hope this building reminds every student that their unique experiences, perspectives and contributions have the power to strengthen communities and move the world forward,” D’Andra Mull, vice chancellor for student life at CU Boulder, said in a news release. “We’re also incredibly excited to expand our apartment-style housing options for our transfer and returning students. This will be a place where they will build friendships, develop a sense of belonging, pursue their goals and create memories that will shape their time at CU Boulder.”

The building is the first new residence hall at CU Boulder since 2019 and is targeting LEED Gold certification. Sustainability features include an all-electric design, all-electric kitchens in student apartments and all-electric food-service facilities, the first of their kind on the campus.

The building includes electric kitchen equipment, including an electric griddle, induction range cooktop, electric ovens and an electric dishwasher.

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