So, you’re looking at CU Boulder and keep hearing about Kittredge Hall CU Boulder. Or maybe you’re a freshman staring at a housing application and wondering if "Kitt" is actually as far away from everything as the upperclassmen claim.
Honestly? It depends on who you ask.
If you ask a senior living in a crowded house on The Hill, they’ll tell you Kittredge is basically in Kansas. But if you talk to someone who actually lives there, they’ll talk about the views, the air conditioning—which is a massive flex on this campus—and the fact that they don’t have to share a bathroom with forty other people.
Kittredge isn't just one building; it’s a whole vibe. It’s a distinct "neighborhood" on the southeast edge of the main campus. While the rest of CU is famous for that red-roofed, sandstone "Tuscan Vernacular" style designed by Charles Klauder, Kittredge has its own architectural rhythm. It’s a mix of mid-century bones and high-end 21st-century renovations.
The Reality of Living in the Kittredge Complex
Let’s get the geography out of the way first. People call it "Kitt."
It is tucked away. You are located near the CU Events Center and the law school. If most of your classes are in the Engineering Center or the Hellyer Business Building, you’re winning. If you have a 9:00 AM in Hellems? You better invest in a good scooter or get used to a 15-minute power walk past the duck pond.
But there’s a trade-off.
The Kittredge Hall CU Boulder area is arguably the prettiest part of campus. You have the pond. You have actual green space where people aren't constantly stepping over your hammock. It feels more like a park and less like a concrete jungle.
Which Building is Which?
The complex is a cluster of several halls. If you’re looking for "Kittredge Hall" specifically, you might be looking for Kittredge Central, which is the heart of the operation.
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- Kittredge Central: This is the big one. It’s got the Kittredge Market, which is a lifesaver when you need a sandwich or a caffeine hit at 10:00 PM and don't want to trek to the C4C. It also houses the Global Engineering RAP and the Leadership RAP.
- Kittredge West: Recently renovated and LEED Gold certified. It’s home to the Health Professions RAP. If you want to be a doctor, you’ll probably end up here.
- Andrews Hall: Where the Engineering Honors RAP lives. It’s intense, academic, and very tight-knit.
- Arnett Hall: This one hosts the Global Studies RAP.
- Buckingham Hall: Home to the Creative Minds RAP.
- Smith Hall: This is the Honors Residential Academic Program hub.
Basically, Kittredge is the capital of RAPs (Residential Academic Programs). If you live here, you aren't just sleeping; you’re usually taking a class or two right in your building with the people who live on your floor.
What Most People Get Wrong About Kittredge
The biggest myth is that it’s "antisocial."
People think that because it’s quiet and academic, there’s no social life. That’s just wrong. It’s just a different kind of social. It’s not the chaotic energy of Farrand Field or the "will I get sleep tonight?" anxiety of Will Vill.
It’s more about late-night study sessions in the lounges, feeding the ducks at the pond, or hitting Kittredge Field for a club soccer game.
Also, can we talk about the amenities?
Most of the buildings in the Kittredge loop have been gutted and rebuilt in the last decade. We’re talking about Kiewit and 4240 Architecture levels of design. They have sinks in the rooms. They have actual, functional thermostats. In the world of college dorms, this is living in luxury.
Why the Location Actually Matters
If you’re a student athlete or just a fan, you’re right next to the Coors Events Center. You can hear the roar of the crowd during basketball games.
You’re also right next to the Kittredge Field, which is the official home of CU Lacrosse. On a sunny afternoon in Boulder, there is nothing better than sitting on the grass watching a game with the Flatirons as a backdrop.
But there’s a historical weight to this place too.
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The dorms are named after the people who literally gave the land or the funding to start the university. George Andrews, Marinus Smith, and Anthony Arnett were Boulder locals who donated the original parcels of land in 1872. Colonel Charles Kittredge, however, was the legislator from Colorado Springs who fought to get the university funded.
He once gave a speech about how education would "liberate mankind from ignorance." Now, students use his namesake building to study for Midterms while eating microwave ramen. Life comes at you fast.
Is Kittredge Right for You?
Choosing a dorm at CU is a high-stakes game. If you want to be in the middle of the noise, go for Central Campus. If you want a newer building with a commute, go to Williams Village.
But choose Kittredge Hall CU Boulder if:
- You value your sleep. It’s significantly quieter than the rest of campus.
- You’re in a RAP. The convenience of walking downstairs for a 3-credit course is unbeatable.
- You like nature. The pond and the views of the Flatirons from the east side of campus are unparalleled.
- You want AC. Seriously. August in Boulder is no joke.
The commute is the only real "con." Most students end up getting a bike or a longboard. The path from Kittredge to the Center for Community (C4C) is a well-traveled route, and you’ll find yourself doing it several times a day for food.
Actionable Steps for New Buffs
If you’ve been assigned to the Kittredge area, don’t panic about the walk. Here’s how to handle it:
- Get a bike. The walk to the UMC is about 12-15 minutes. A bike cuts that to 4.
- Check your RAP requirements. Most Kittredge halls require you to be in a specific program. Make sure you’ve actually signed up for the classes, or Housing might move you.
- Explore the Market. The Kittredge Market has better coffee than some of the main dining halls. Use your Munch Money there.
- Visit the Pond. It’s the best spot on campus for a mental health break. Just don’t feed the geese anything weird—they’re already aggressive enough.
Kittredge offers a balance that’s hard to find elsewhere. It’s academic, it’s modern, and it feels like a genuine community rather than just a hallway of rooms.
Stop by the Kittredge Commons to see the layout for yourself before you commit to a housing preference. It’s worth the walk.