Why you may see CU‑related ads online
As described in CU Boulder’s Privacy Statement, some university websites use standard remarketing services. These services rely on cookies to display ads related to pages previously visited on colorado.edu webpages. These practices do not collect personally identifiable information.
What cookies are—and what they are not
Cookies are small files stored by your browser that help websites remember preferences or understand how pages are used. They:
- Are commonly used across most websites, not just university sites
- Do not give CU Boulder access to your personal files or accounts
- Do not identify you as an individual person
Why activity can appear across devices
In addition to cookies, browser and device‑level technologies used broadly across the internet can also influence what content you see. For example:
- If you are signed into the same browser or account on multiple devices
- If your browser syncs history or personalization settings
In these cases, related content may appear across devices. These behaviors are largely managed by third‑party platforms and browser settings, not by CU Boulder systems.
What CU Boulder does—and does not—collect
- CU Boulder does not collect personally identifiable information through remarketing cookies
- CU Boulder does not track individual browsing behavior across the internet
- Data collection is limited and governed by the university’s Privacy Statement
Practical Steps You Can Take
Use separate browser profiles for work and personal browsing
OIT recommends using different browser profiles for work and personal use. This can help:
- Keep work-related browsing separate from personal activity
- Limit how personalization carries over between devices
- Reduce confusion about why certain ads or content appear
Most modern browsers support multiple profiles, each with their own history, cookies, and settings.
Specific Browser Resources and How to Manage Your Profiles:
- Google Chrome: Manage Chrome with multiple profiles
- Microsoft Edge: Sign in and create a multiple profiles
- Firefox: Manage Firefox profiles
- Safari (macOS): Use profiles in Safari
The OIT website has information on how to clear your browser.
Review your browser privacy settings
Additional actions to take:
- Clear cookies or site data
- Adjust ad personalization settings
- Review sync and sign‑in settings across devices
These controls are managed within your browser or account and apply across many websites—not just CU Boulder sites.
