Photos show seniors at the University of Colorado Boulder throwing a graduation party replete with beer pong and crowds of people one day before stay-at-home restrictions were lifted

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Hillary HoffowerMay 9, 2020, 03:44 IST
Photos show seniors at the University of Colorado Boulder throwing a graduation party replete with beer pong and crowds of people one day before stay-at-home restrictions were lifted

Students at the University of Colorado Boulder during a graduation party amid the pandemic.MediaNews Group/Boulder Daily Camera via Getty Images

Graduation has been canceled for the Class of 2020, but some students aren't letting the pandemic ruin their celebratory fun.

Some seniors at the University of Colorado Boulder threw packed graduation parties on Thursday, The Denver Post's Katie Langford reported. It was the day they were supposed to walk the stage. In March, CU Boulder canceled its May 7 in-person commencement and instead scheduled a virtual commencement for May 16.

It also happened to be the day before Boulder County's stay-at-home order was lifted on Friday. Colorado ended its statewide stay-at-home order on April 26, leaving pandemic-handling decisions in the hands of local governments.

This isn't the first time college students have ignored social distancing guidelines. In March, spring breakers were called out for crowding beaches in Florida and Texas, taking chartered trips to Cabo, and partying on booze cruises in The Bahamas.

Here's a look inside one of the grad parties of CU Boulder students.

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"Despite what people think, we have been kind of cautious, but it's hard when you're a college student and you're trying to enjoy the last little bit of college you can," Daniel Saesar told the Post.

"Despite what people think, we have been kind of cautious, but it's hard when you're a college student and you're trying to enjoy the last little bit of college you can," Daniel Saesar told the Post.
MediaNews Group/Boulder Daily Camera via Getty Images

But some CU Boulder students celebrated in other ways. A group of housemates at CU Boulder held a "porchuation" ceremony, Shawn Chitness for CBS Denver reported, in which they hosted a virtual commencement for their loved ones back home.

Source: The Denver Post

Two seniors told the Post they've been staying at home and social distancing, but that graduation day is an exception. "Today is just one of those days where you just have to let it happen," Laura Vogel said.

Two seniors told the Post they've been staying at home and social distancing, but that graduation day is an exception. "Today is just one of those days where you just have to let it happen," Laura Vogel said.
MediaNews Group/Boulder Daily Camera via Getty Images

"It's a weird feeling because it just feels like a party," she added. "It doesn't feel like graduation, so it doesn't feel like there's closure."

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Local health officials have been less than pleased with the turnout and the risks it posed to the community.

Local health officials have been less than pleased with the turnout and the risks it posed to the community.
Students at the University of Colorado Boulder during a graduation party amid the pandemic. MediaNews Group/Boulder Daily Camera via Getty Images

"Not only is it a risk to people at those gatherings, it's a risk to everyone around them," Chana Goussetis, spokeswoman for Boulder County Public Health, told Langford. "It's a risk to our elderly population, who is being hit very hard by COVID-19."

As of May 8, Colorado has 18,264 confirmed coronavirus cases. Boulder County has 720 confirmed cases.

But across the street in off-campus housing, college seniors came out in full force the day they were supposed to graduate. Local police told The Denver Post there were at least six graduation parties with 20 or more people on University Hill Thursday.

But across the street in off-campus housing, college seniors came out in full force the day they were supposed to graduate. Local police told The Denver Post there were at least six graduation parties with 20 or more people on University Hill Thursday.
MediaNews Group/Boulder Daily Camera via Getty Images

University Hill is a Boulder neighborhood across from the CU Boulder campus.

The Boulder Police Department told The Denver Post's Katie Langford they wrote tickets for alcohol violations and noise complaints, and reminded partiers to wear masks and practice social distancing.

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Although it never fully shut down its campus, more than 90% of the 8,598 students living in Boulder campus dorms moved out.

Although it never fully shut down its campus, more than 90% of the 8,598 students living in Boulder campus dorms moved out.
David Zalubowski/AP Images

For many students, "the residence halls are their homes and the dining hall provides their meals," CU Boulder Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano said in March, as reported by Cynthia Pasquale for The Colorado Sun.

Photos show that the University of Colorado Boulder campus has been relatively empty since it moved to virtual learning in March.

Photos show that the University of Colorado Boulder campus has been relatively empty since it moved to virtual learning in March.
David Zalubowski/AP Images

CU Boulder moved all its classes online on March 11, according to local outlet CBS Denver. That same day, it suspended university-funded foreign and domestic travel and all education abroad programs.

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