These are the Colorado colleges and universities requiring booster shots for faculty, students and staff

The omicron variant is causing the biggest spike of COVID-19 cases in the pandemic, and hospitalizations continue to tick up. The surge is pushing universities and colleges to require a third vaccine shot for the spring semester. They are:

• University of Colorado
• Colorado State University
• The University of Denver
• Regis University
• Colorado College
• CU Denver
• CU Colorado Springs
• Western Colorado University in Gunnison
• Fort Lewis College

Health experts say having all three doses of the vaccine dramatically decreases COVID-19 hospitalizations and major symptoms, even with the omicron variant. More than 80 percent of people hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated.

Each university has its own policy on exemptions and required testing.

This list will be updated as requirements are announced.