Greening CU

Green Campus

Over the last three decades, CU Boulder has taken many steps to improve the sustainability of campus operations. In 1997 CU Boulder signed the Talloires Declaration, committing us to set an example of environmental responsibility in our teaching, research, and operations. This section of the Environmental Center web page provides information on some of the efforts to green campus operations. It provides the text of the Blueprint for a Green Campus, which articulates a vision of a sustainable campus and some of the steps needed to achieve this vision. It also provides information on the annual Campus Earth Summit, which brings the campus community together to review progress towards these goals. The section on environmental awards will tell you what individuals and departments have been honored by the Environmental Center for their contributions to decreasing the environmental footprint of the campus. The next link takes you to the environmental management section of the 2000-2008 campus master plan. Following is information on green building practices on and off campus. Finally, a section on environmental policies shows some of the policies adopted by the Boulder campus and some subdivisions of the campus, and provides links to policies at other schools.

On This Page

Blueprint for a Green Campus
 Campus Sustainability Events
 Sustainable CU
Campus Environmental Awards
Campus Master Plan
Green Building
bullet Green Office Program
bullet Environmentally Responsible Purchasing
Campus Environmental Policies
Campus Environmental Council

Blueprint for a Green Campus

In 2000, the University of Colorado Environmental Center undertook a major project. With the end goal of making CU-Boulder a national leader in sustainable environmental practices, the Environmental Center drafted a comprehensive action plan called the Blueprint for a Green Campus. The original Blueprint, released in 2000, received acclaim from the campus community, local officials and state representatives as a forward-thinking, practical policy prescription. The 2000 Blueprint also brought about a number of positive changes in CU’s environmental practices. Since the original draft, the Environmental Center has sought to strengthen the content and vision of the original document. Additionally, over the past several years, revision to the document has become necessary as environmental programs have advanced and evolved. The Environmental Center also saw a need to address such issues green building, campus food services, and water conservation and quality—all of which were absent from the 2000 version.
 
Thus, in 2004, the Environmental Center decided to overhaul and reissue the Blueprint.  For the revision process, the Environmental Center formed an advisory committee of faculty, administrators, business leaders, community members, local officials and students to set the topics, tone and structure. Task forces were formed for each of the seven major topic areas and reconstructed each section with a stronger vision, more cohesive voice and greater content.
 
We think you’ll agree that the revised Blueprint for a Green Campus is a highly comprehensive and practical environmental action plan.  The main tenet of the document is to achieve sustainability on an institutional scale. As the CU-Boulder campus grows and changes, its environmental impacts and additional demands for energy, transportation, and resources can be handled through increased efficiency rather than increased consumption.  The Blueprint shows that CU-Boulder can reduce its environmental footprint without sacrificing quality of education or research opportunities, and while saving financial resources. The Blueprint lays out realistic goals and actions that will continue to make CU-Boulder a national environmental leader.  

Blueprint for a Green Campus - view the environmental action plan for the University of Colorado at Boulder.

View endorsers and praise for the Blueprint.

Blueprint for a Green Campus (2000 edition)

2003 Update to the Blueprint for a Green Campus - a progress report to the original action plan.

The following Blueprint department-based reports are also avaliable on the web:

2002 Update to the Blueprint for a Green Campus - a progress report to the original action plan.

The following Blueprint department-based reports are also avaliable on the web:

2001 Update to the Blueprint for a Green Campus - a progress report to the original action plan.

The following Blueprint department-based reports are also avaliable on the web:

Campus Sustainability Events

View information for:

Sustainable CU

The Environmental Improvement Initiative:

In the spring of 2005, students voted on the Sustainable CU Referendum which dedicates $2.80/student/semester to implement on-campus projects incorporating renewable energy, energy efficiency, recycling and waste reduction, and other innovative projects to reduce the campus¹ impact on climate and environment. When reviewing proposals, particular attention shall be paid to initiatives created and led by students thereby enhancing student opportunities. Sustainable CU funds will be used for: capital investment, the purchase of infrastructure necessary for the initiatives, installation of capital projects, educational displays related to the capital projects, and any other non-staff operating costs associated with the initiatives. The Sustainable CU fund is administered by the UCSU Environmental Center. Approximately $157,000 (depending on enrollment) is available annually through the 2008-09 academic year. Proposals are accepted semesterly in October and February.

Request for Proposals PDF (57k)

Funded Projects:

2008-09

2007-08

  • Bruce Campbell Art Project: Artist Bruce Campbell will create a recycled sculptural installation using salvaged materials from CU's construction and demolition process. The artwork will be displayed on campus, demonstrating CU's commitment to environmental protection and exemplifying closed-loop recycling. Award: $19,600.
  • Mobile Billboards: The blank space on the side of CU recycling vehicles will be used to promote recycling. These vehicles drive around campus all day, providing an opportunity to spread the word about the benefits of recycling. Award: $6,000.
  • Smart Strip Surge Protectors: This project is a pilot program testing the effectiveness of smart strip surge protectors inside dorm rooms. The surge protectors can be set to turn on and off at specific times, resulting in substantial energy savings. Award: $13,444.
  • Solar-Electric Recycling Vehicle Conversion: This project will transform an existing recycling vehicle into an educational, solar-electric vehicle that will continue to collect recyclable materials. Award: $15,193.
  • Composting and Recycling Containers: The capacity of the composting program in the UMC kitchen will be increased. Zero-waste Bins in Glenn Miller Ballroom Three permanent recycling structures will be installed in the Glenn Miller ballroom in order to facilitate zero-waste events and increase diversion rates in the UMC. Containers for cardboard will help with the recycling during student move-in. Award: $8,100.
  • Folsom Field Wind Project: Six wind turbines will be installed on the Folsom Field stadium as a highly visible demonstration project to show the viability of using wind turbines on the CU campus. Award: $90,195.
  • Occupancy Sensor Lighting Units: Occupancy sensors will be installed inside classrooms within the Hellems. Energy will be saved by ensuring lights are turned off when rooms are not in use. The engineering student group, SEVEN, will monitor the success of the program in order to determine the viability of developing similar projects in other buildings on campus. Award: $3,108

2006-07

2005-06

Campus Environmental Awards

The University of Colorado wishes to recognize outstanding individuals and departments who demonstrate a sincere commitment  to reducing the burden that CU-Boulder places on the environment. The annual awards ceremony takes place each April.

Campus Master Plan

Campus Master Plan - outlines goals and guidelines for the improvement of the University of Colorado at Boulder campus and institution in the areas of Institutional Goals and Planning, Campus Setting, Facilities Needs, Land and Facilities Plan, and Enactment and Implementation Provisions. Check out the Environmental Management and Transportation sections of the Boulder Campus Master Plan.

Comments on the CU Transportation Master Plan - An analysis of the transportation section of the public review draft of the CU master plan. The intent is to review some of the impacts associated with the proposed construction of 2 new parking garages, and to suggest some possible alternative strategies for providing access to campus.

Green Building

Green Building Fact Sheet - Green building practices offer an opportunity to create environmentally sound and resource-efficient buildings by using an integrated approach to design. Green buildings promote resource conservation, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation; consider environmental impacts and waste minimization; create a healthy and comfortable environment; and reduce operation and maintenance costs.

University Memorial Center (61k) - Green Building Components of the Expansion and Renovation

Environmental Center Green Office - Check out the new office that was built with the environment in mind.

LEED information for ATLAS and Wolf Law

Green Office Program

CU-Boulder is pleased offer a campus sustainability program for faculty and staff. The educational program integrates many of CU’s campus sustainability initiatives, including transportation, recycling, and energy.

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Environmentally Responsible Purchasing

Environmentally preferable products are "products and services [that] have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared to other products and services that serve the same purpose. This comparison may consider raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, reuse, operation, maintenance, or disposal of the product or service."

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Campus Environmental Policies and Resolutions

This section provides links to a number of campus policies relating to the environment. These include general environmental policies and policies in the areas of energy use, transportation, purchasing, recycling, and toxic materials. We include both campus wide policies and some policies of individual departments, such as Facilities Management or the University of Colorado Student Union. We also include links to environmental policies at other institutions. We have tried to include those important policies we are aware of, but the list may not be complete. To see how CU's environmental policies compare to other schools, check out State of the Campus Environment, a national campus environmental scorecard issued by the National Wildlife Federation.

View the policies and resolutions as compiled by the Environmental
Center.

University of Colorado at Boulder Environmental Policy

Campus Environmental Management System

Campus Environmental Council

The vice chancellors of the Boulder campus have created a campus environmental council, which began meeting in January of 2003. The Environmental Council (EC) is charged to observe environmental practices of the University. The EC is expected to carefully ascertain impacts and evaluate programs that could lead to new or revised environmental policies as well as operational strategies that have the potential to:

  • Enhance University compliance with applicable environmental laws, regulations, rules, policies and procedures.
  • Reduce environmental impacts of Boulder campus.
  • Promote the Boulder campus as a leader in campus sustainability.
  • Coordinate environmental efforts.
  • Promote environmental education for the campus community

Reports, Charge and Membership

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University of Colorado Environmental Center
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Phone: 303-492-8308 Email: ecenter@colorado.edu
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