April 19, 2016

University of Colorado Fosters Environmental Sustainability in Higher Education

System Implements Numerous Green Initiatives Across All Four Campuses

 

The University of Colorado (CU), a leading public research university system, has long supported environmentally friendly policies and initiatives at all four of its campuses across the state. Through these actions, CU is making a positive impact not only on local communities and citizens throughout Colorado, but also the global population at large.
 
CU-Boulder ranks No. 7 in the nation for environmental sciences funding and has more papers in geoscience research published and cited than any other university in the world. The campus offers more than 643 sustainability-related courses in 45 departments, and its new Sustainability, Energy and Environment Complex brings together some of the best minds in environmental and sustainability research under one roof. With the nation’s first collegiate student-led Environmental Center and recycling program, CU-Boulder has significantly reduced waste. It is home to the nation’s first NCAA Division 1 zero-waste athletics program thanks in large part to “Ralphie’s Green Stampede,” an initiative named in honor of the university’s beloved mascot. The initiative has advanced CU Athletics in becoming carbon neutral, pesticide-free, solar powered and sustainably housed while engaging fans in green practices. Furthermore, the campus opened a new recycling center in fall 2015. The building, which is LEED Gold certified, maximizes recycling efficiency rates and is designed to help CU-Boulder reach its overall goal of diverting 90 percent of waste from landfills.
 
CU Denver is working with the city of Lakewood on Hometown Colorado, a major initiative launched by the College of Architecture and Planning. Currently in its second semester, Hometown Colorado gives CU Denver students and faculty the opportunity to collaborate with City of Lakewood staff on a variety of projects with the goal of creating a more environmentally, economically and socially sustainable city. The real-world experience for students is invaluable, and the partnership between CU Denver and Lakewood creates an opportunity for the university to contribute to the betterment of the state.
 
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is one of the few universities in the country that incorporates a sustainability course into its graduation requirements. UCCS also earned a gold rating in 2015 from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education for its outstanding efforts in green campus initiatives and facilities. One example of this is the major expansion of its LEED Gold certified recreation center, which features a 50 percent reduction in irrigation water use and a natural, on-site storm water treatment system.
 
The CU Anschutz Medical Campus regularly participates in the biannual Drug Enforcement Administration National Take-Back Initiative. Sponsored by the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the CU Anschutz Police Department, Drug Take-Back Day provides a convenient and responsible way to dispose of unused and expired prescription drugs. The event also gives faculty, staff and students the opportunity to educate the community about the potential for the abuse of medications and the serious impact that incorrect drug disposal can have on our waterways and soil. Skaggs School of Pharmacy students assist with this event in rural communities throughout Colorado, including Buena Vista, Loveland and Salida. Drug Take-Back Day 2016 takes place on Saturday, April 30,  10 a.m.–2 p.m. at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus (I-225 and Colfax in Aurora). To make it easy to dispose of unused and expired medications at any time, the CU Anschutz Police Department also has a permanent drop-off location open to receive disposals 24/7. CU Anschutz and University of Colorado Hospital have collected more than 6,000 pounds of expired and unused medications over the last six years.
 
In addition to the preceding examples, below are several additional sustainability initiatives happening on CU campuses:

About the CU System

The University of Colorado is a premier public research university with four campuses: the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, the University of Colorado Denver and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. With more than 59,700 students, over 4,900 full-time instructional faculty members and another 1,200 research faculty members, CU is the largest institution of higher education in the state of Colorado. CU’s annual budget is $3.5 billion. CU researchers attracted more than $878 million in sponsored research funding in fiscal year 2014-15. The university’s Technology Transfer Office has helped launch more than 140 startups over the past 20 years. Academic prestige is marked by CU’s five Nobel laureates, nine MacArthur “genius” Fellows, 20 astronauts and 19 Rhodes Scholars. For more information about the CU system, and to access campus resources, go to www.cu.edu.

Contact:         Ken McConnellogue, 303.860.5626, ken.mcconnellogue@cu.edu