CSU puts kibosh on annual 'Undie Run'

Colorado State University is urging students to keep their clothes on.

In an at-times scathing campus-wide email, CSU officials on Tuesday denounced the popular end-of-semester "Undie Run" that congregates scantily clad college students in the name of charity. Citing shortcomings with event organization, past faux pas and concerns about sexual harassment and public safety, the school pleaded for students to steer clear of the event or risk police intervention.

"Anyone who seeks to participate this year takes a significant risk," wrote the university's Public Safety Team and dean of students.

Recently dubbed the Body Acceptance Run Extravaganza (BARE), the event is typically held the weekend before spring semester final exams — which are next week. It is not authorized by the university, and students who tried to organize this year's run did not get appropriate insurance, CSU said.

UPDATE: Despite pleas, CSU 'Undie Run' might go on

"CSU police will disperse any crowd that assembles on campus following BARE. Students who are dressed inappropriately and who are off campus, including on Laurel Street or any other streets surrounding campus, will be subject to interactions with Fort Collins police," officials wrote.

The university said the unsanctioned event has cost CSU about $15,000 each year. That includes fixing damaged property, providing additional security and cleaning up the discarded clothing that runners leave at the starting line after attendees strip to their skivvies and scamper across campus.

Past years' runs have erupted into raucous gatherings in the CSU Morgan Library, and YouTube videos dating to 2009 show how the event has ballooned from a few hundred to several thousand attendees.

Officials discredited the charity aspect of the run, especially during recent years. In 2014, 22 percent of the 7,745 pounds of left-behind clothing was actually donated. The rest was not "in any condition to be accepted by charity," CSU said. And in 2015, nearly all of the rain-soaked, discarded garb was taken to the landfill, not charity, because of mold concerns.

Any discarded clothing this year will have a fast-pass to the trash.

"All clothing left behind will be diverted to the landfill; it will not be donated," the university wrote.

Concerns go beyond logistics. CSU reminded students that photos from the event "can live forever on the internet" and cautioned students about the risk of groping or inappropriate touching that might accompany the run. Anyone who experiences unwanted sexual touching on or off campus can confidentially contact the 24-hour victim assistance team at 970-492-4242. People should call 911 if they believe someone is in danger.

"BARE tarnishes the University’s reputation and puts participants at risk," officials wrote. "Please be respectful of the University and our Fort Collins community and choose not to participate in this event."

Reporter Jason Pohl covers public safety for the Coloradoan. Follow him on Twitter: @pohl_jason.