Transitioning Resources
Name, Gender and Personal Information Changes
ÌýÌýPreferred Name and Pronouns
You can update your preferred name and pronouns in many ÐÔÊӽ紫ý systems, including class rosters.
- Preferred names can reflect your gender identity, a nickname or a shortened version of your legal name.
- Some systems (like financial aid and selective service) still require a legal name.
- You can choose which pronouns appear on class rosters.Ìý
Privacy note: All provided information is protected under FERPA, meaning only trained staff with a legitimate educational need can access it.Ìý
A updates your name on federal and state IDs through the Colorado court system.
- Cost: approximately $300 in Colorado
- Eligibility: you must have lived in Colorado for at least three months
- Where to file: the county where you live (students in residence halls can use CU documentation as proof of residency)Ìý
The Pride program offers a Name Change Program that provides mentorship and a $300 payment for participating. After completing your name change, you’ll mentor another student for one year. This program provides mentors for students legally changing their names in the state of Colorado. Students must have lived in Colorado, either in residence halls or elsewhere, for 90 days to be eligible. The program connects students who have completed the name change process with those interested in changing their names to help guide them through completing forms, filing paperwork and understanding next steps after a legal name change.
Students who need a mentor or want to become a mentor should email pride@colorado.edu and describe their needs. Participating students will receive payment.
Once your legal name change is official, you can:
- Update your records with the Registrar’s Office
- Update HR systems if you’re a student employee
- from OIT if a dead name appears in campus systemsÌý
Privacy note: Legal name change information is also protected under FERPA.Ìý
ÌýÌýGender Marker Update
Colorado allows you to change your gender marker on state IDs without a doctor’s or therapist’s letter. Visit the state’s .Ìý
Privacy note: Gender marker information is protected under FERPA.Ìý
ÌýÌýBuff OneCard
After updating your preferred or legal name, you can get a new Buff OneCard. Visit the Buff OneCard office to request a card with your updated name and, if needed, a new photo.Ìý
Gender-Affirming Care at ÐÔÊӽ紫ý
The CU Speech, Language & Hearing Clinic offers gender‑affirming voice training supervised by certified speech‑language pathologists.Ìý
Medical Services provides gender‑affirming hormone therapy for students. Call 303‑492‑5432 or make an appointment through your MyCUHealth portal and ask to meet with someone on the trans care team.Ìý
Identity-Affirming Surgery Support
Students on the Anthem Gold Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) have access to unlimited surgical benefits. Contact the Student Health Insurance office to learn more and ask questions.Ìý
Additional CU resources:
- If needed, you can get referral letters from Medical Services and Counseling & Psychiatric Services.
- If you work with an out-of-state surgeon, the LGBTQ+ Care Team can provide post-surgical care upon your return.ÌýÌýÌý