Eating on Campus

Enjoy Café Bon Appétit at Colorado Christian University!

CCU offers a variety of dining locations and meal plans for students living on or off campus. Bon Appétit has partnered with CCU to provide high-quality, healthy, and flavorful meals for students, faculty, staff, parents, and guests. Three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are served Monday–Thursday, with brunch and dinner on Fridays and weekends. The Cougar Den and Grab-and-Go Café have varying hours throughout the week (see the Campus Dining FAQ section below for the dining hours for various dining locations throughout campus).

Dining Locations

CCU Dining Commons

The CCU Dining Commons, affectionately known as "the Caf," offers all-you-care-to-eat dining with a wide variety of options. The Main Event serves the entrée of the day, and several other stations offer diverse choices:

  • Evergreens Salad Bar – Build your own fresh salad.
  • Black Diamond Deli – Made-to-order hot and cold sandwiches.
  • Pikes Pizza and Pasta Bar – Fresh pasta and pizza daily.
  • Go West Grill – Exhibition dishes cooked to your taste.
  • Sweet Spot – Desserts to finish your meal.

Breakfast selections often include made-to-order omelets and waffles, fresh fruit, hash browns, cereals, and other favorites. The Caf also hosts special holiday and campus event meals.

Meal credits can be used here or for select menu items at the Cougar Den and Grab-and-Go Café through the Meal Exchange option.

Cougar Den

Located in the student center, the Cougar Den is CCU’s grab-and-go café featuring made-to-order burritos, hot and cold sandwiches, wraps, salads, quesadillas, pizza, burgers, and weekly specials. It is also home to CCU’s on-campus Peet’s Coffee & Tea®, serving drinks from classic hot chocolate to contemporary lattes and caramel macchiatos.

Items at the Cougar Den can be purchased with a meal plan, cash, or card.

Arturo's, the Grab-and-Go Café

Located in Leprino Hall, Arturo's offers breakfast sandwiches, lunch flatbreads, wraps, salads, and healthy snacks — perfect for busy schedules. Purchases can be made using a meal plan, cash, or card.

Bon Appétit Catering

Bon Appétit’s professional staff caters many of CCU’s special events, offering a wide range of menu options for campus functions.

Meal Plans

CCU students have several meal plan options, depending on their year and residency status. Certain plans are required for on-campus residents; see the residency requirements for details. Check the semester calendar for important dining dates.

Meal credits (which expire at semester’s end) may be used in the Dining Commons or as part of the Meal Exchange program at the Cougar Den and Food For Thought Café. Dining Dollars can be used at all campus dining locations, and additional Dining Dollars can be purchased at any time. Because each CCU on-campus apartment has a full kitchen, students also have the option of cooking their own meals.

Meal Plan Options

First-Year Students
Required to have Meal Plan A.

Second-Year Students
Required to have Meal Plan A or Meal Plan B.

Third-Year Students (CCU start terms prior to fall 2026)
Not required to purchase a meal plan.
May choose from any available meal plan.

Third-Year Students (CCU start terms beginning in fall 2026)
Required to choose Meal Plan A, Meal Plan B, or Meal Plan C.

Fourth-Year Students
Not required to purchase a meal plan.
May choose from any available meal plan.

  • Meal Plan 18
    18 meals per week (7 days)
    $300 Dining Dollars per semester
    See Meal Plan Fees
    Meal Plan 15
    15 meals per week (7 days)
    $300 Dining Dollars per semester
    See Meal Plan Fees
  • Meal Plan 12
    12 meals per week (7 days)
    $300 Dining Dollars per semester
    See Meal Plan Fees
    Meal Plan 190
    190 meals per semester
    $300 Dining Dollars per semester
    See Meal Plan Fees
  • Meal Plan 150
    150 meals per semester
    $300 Dining Dollars per semester
    See Meal Plan Fees
    Meal Plan 80
    80 meals per semester
    $400 Dining Dollars per semester
    See Meal Plan Fees
  • Meal Plan D
    $100 - $500 Dining Dollars per semester
    (Variable amount between $100 to $500 available in increments of $100)
    See Meal Plan Fees

Special Diets

The variety of menu items available helps accommodate most special diet needs. If you are on a specific diet prescribed by a physician, you may request assistance from the Dining Services staff in the CCU Cafeteria. Students should schedule an appointment and bring a copy of the diet prescription from their doctor/nutritionist.

Campus Dining FAQs

What are the dining hours throughout the week?

Dining Commons Fall & Spring Hours

Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Dinner: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Dining Commons Weekend Hours (Friday–Sunday)

Brunch: 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Dinner: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Additional Campus Dining Locations
  • Cougar Den:
    Monday–Thursday: 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
    Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Saturday: 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
    Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
  • Arturos (Leprino Hall):
    Monday–Thursday: 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • The Rock (Rockmont Hall):
    Monday–Sunday: 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
  • Yetter and Rockmont Convenience Stores:
    Monday–Sunday: While desk attendant is present (24/7)

What happens if I don't use up all of my meals or dining dollars?

Unused meals and dining dollars are not refundable, as they are part of your contract meal plan and expire at the end of the semester. Meals and dining dollars will not be transferred from the fall semester to the spring semester either. However, you can purchase additional dining dollars throughout the semester if needed.

Can I bring guests to eat with me?

Yes, you can bring guests to dine with you on campus. Dining dollars can be used to purchase meals for guests at the Café, Cougar Den, or Food for Thought Café. You can also pay for guest meals using cash, credit, or debit cards. Additionally, parents can eat in the Dining Commons with their students during family visits, and siblings who are staying overnight with students (following proper guest procedures) can also dine on campus.

How do meal exchanges work?

Most meal plans (except Meal Plan D) include a meal exchange option that allows you to use one of your meal credits at the Cougar Den or Food for Thought Café instead of eating in the main Dining Commons. There are restrictions on what can be purchased with a meal exchange credit and only specific menu items qualify. Dining dollars can be used at all dining locations for additional purchases, extra meals, or meals for guests.

Can dining services accommodate special dietary needs?

Yes, CCU's dining services can accommodate most special dietary requirements. The variety of menu items available helps meet most special diet needs, and if you have a specific diet prescribed by a physician, you can request assistance from the Dining Services staff. Students should schedule an appointment and bring a copy of their diet prescription from their doctor or nutritionist. You can contact Chef Nick Knauss for specific dietary accommodations.