University of Colorado officials at Boulder are stepping up security measures for the school's commencement ceremony Friday morning at Folsom Stadium.
Following the Boston Marathon bombings, CU officials said that for the first time this year all attendees' bags will be checked as they enter the stadium and the CU Police Department has been consulting with the FBI to make sure there are no incidents.
"We need your help to make sure it (commencement) stays a safe event," CU Police Public Information Officer Ryan Huff said in a video explaining this year's security changes.
This year visitors will only be allowed to bring soft-sided bags and containers no larger than 12x12x12 inches, or the size of small purses and backpacks. Officials are also asking the public to consider bringing clear grocery bag types to speed up security lines.
Beginning at 8:30 a.m. Friday morning, between 10,000 and 15,000 people are expected to attend the CU-Boulder graduation ceremony where Academy Award-winning actress Julie Andrews will be delivering this year's commencement speech.
"For both commencement and the Bolder Boulder, there will be some things that will be very obvious to the public, there will be things that are not obvious to the public," Huff told 9News.
On Memorial Day Boulder can expect crowds of 50,000 to run the annual 10K race, and crowds can expect heightened security there too.
Bolder Boulder race director Cliff Bosley told The Daily Camera last month that organizers have been meeting with police and looking to other organizers hosting post-Boston Marathon races to draw up a security plan.
"This year, that planning takes on an added dimension," Bosley wrote in a letter to race participants about this year's beefed-up security. "In the coming weeks, we will have additional meetings with police, city and race officials with an eye on heightened security and safety."