DENVER -- The investigation into an alleged gang rape at a party attended by Colorado football players and recruits may be slowed because potential witnesses have left Boulder for the holidays.

Many of the people involved in the case are students, some of whom have left town for the holiday break, campus police Lt. Tim McGraw said.

"It certainly will have an impact. Some of the people we'd like to talk to as well as others who they have mentioned, some of those people may be gone," he said Tuesday.

However, the student who alleged she was sexually assaulted is willing to go forward with the case, university police chief Jim Fadenrect said.

Any delays in the investigation should not be interpreted as reluctance by the victim, Fadenrect said Wednesday.

Investigators are trying to determine whether charges are warranted for a student's allegations that she was assaulted by several people at an off-campus party Dec. 7. Campus police are leading the investigation because the student approached them first. Boulder police are assisting.

McGraw said it will likely take dozens of interviews before investigators make a decision about filing charges, which could be weeks away.

Boulder police have at least one investigator assigned to the case, said Sgt. Katie McEldowney. The city agency will make the final determination about whether charges should be recommended.

Football coach Gary Barnett has said the allegations have not distracted the team, ranked fourth in the nation, from preparing for the Fiesta Bowl. The Buffaloes face Oregon on Jan. 1.