BROOMFIELD — Two women called a rape crisis center within the past three months to report being sexually assaulted by University of Colorado football players, bringing to 10 the number of women who say they were raped by players or recruits since 1997.

The latest reports came when the women called Moving to End Sexual Assault for help, said Janine D'Anniballe, the group's executive director. Her allegation was made Tuesday before the Independent Investigative Commission, appointed by the Board of Regents to examine whether CU used sex and alcohol to lure recruits.

The previous rape reports were made either to police, in lawsuits or — in the case of former CU place-kicker Katie Hnida — through a statement to the news media. No sexual assault charges have been filed.

Panelist Jean McAllister said that it's clear alcohol, drugs and sex have been available during recruiting and that "sex is expected and available periodically."

"There's a very clear indication (university officials) knew these things were going on," she said.

D'Anniballe said confidentiality rules prevented her from discussing details about the latest cases. She said she did not confirm the alleged offenders were current or former players.

CU officials issued a statement saying D'Anniballe's report "once again underscores the important work of the independent investigative commission and the special prosecutor."

Baine Kerr, attorney for Lisa Simpson — one of three women suing the university over alleged rapes in December 2001 — said the news "confirms what we have suspected, and, to an extent, what we have known, which is that there are other victims of sexual assault by CU football players who are not publicly known yet."

Boulder police wouldn't say whether they were aware of the latest allegations. The department is turning all relevant reports over to special prosecutor Ken Salazar's office, said Cmdr. Kurt Weiler.

Salazar spokesman Ken Lane said he won't comment on the "number or type of allegations" the state attorney general's team is investigating.

Allegations without names cause "everyone on the team to feel indicted," said Rita Klatt, mother of CU quarterback Joel Klatt.

"I am very concerned, not only for the football players but for the girls who call," she said. "I know there are a huge number of allegations out there in the general public; there are some against football players, and that seems to be all that's getting print."

D'Anniballe said football players are of no more concern to her than other men. CU's Office of Victim Assistance estimates there are 350 to 400 sexual assaults each year at CU.

During sometimes heated testimony Tuesday, D'Anniballe also told the panelists their focus on alcohol is inadequate because booze is simply one of many tools used by sex offenders who premeditate their assaults. She said some commission members are "blaming the victim" by attributing sexual assaults to alcohol.

Panelist the Rev. Philip Porter asked last week during a discussion about men choosing drunk women to assault: "Why are they drinking?"

The rate of sexual assault would not change substantially if alcohol were removed from the picture, D'Anniballe said.

"Alcohol is very much not the issue," she said. "If it was all about alcohol, groups like mine ... would have been lobbying to make Boulder County dry."

Commission members said their understanding is that 90 percent of sexual assaults involve drinking.

The commissioners began a lengthy list of people they want to question, including students and players who have attended recruiting parties; Bob Chichester, former senior associate athletic director; Athletic Director Dick Tharp; football coaches including former assistant coach Eric Bieniemy; former football recruiting assistant Nathan Maxcey; head coach Gary Barnett's former secretary Jane Barry; and former Boulder police liaison Don Spicely.

They plan to hire an investigator to find some of the witnesses.

The panel's next meeting is at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Broomfield City Council Chambers.

Contact Camera Staff Writer Elizabeth Mattern Clark at (303) 473-1351 or clarke@dailycamera.com.