Koelbel is just one of 18 LEED certified buildings on campus, which operate 25-40% more efficiently than traditional buildings.

Home

For more than half a century, CU-Boulder has been a leader in climate and energy research, interdisciplinary environmental studies programs and engaging in sustainability and "green" practices both on campus and in the larger world.

Students Believe in Sustainablity

We surveyed our entire incoming freshman class, and here's what they had to say.

86% believe it’s important for CU-Boulder to have a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.

89% try to make environmentally sustainable choices in their lives.

81% are likely to encourage friends to do things like recycle, turn off lights, or save water.

65% think they are environmentally sustainable, and 92% want to be.

Committed to Higher Standards

Here are just some of the goals set to make campus greener.

Goal: Increase campus diversion rate of municipal solid waste (MSW) to 90% by 2020.

Progress

CU is at a diversion rate of nearly 45% ─ halfway to our 2020 goal. Achieving success will mean utilizing the increased capacity of the Grounds & Recycling Operations Center, increasing our composting of pre- and post-consumer food waste in the dining halls, and improving campus infrastructure that promotes zero-waste behavior.

Goal: All new buildings will meet or surpass a LEED Gold “Plus” rating.

Progress

In 2004, students at CU-Boulder agreed to use student fees to construct four new buildings, with the stipulation that all reached a minimum LEED Silver rating. Since then the university has mandated that all new buildings meet a LEED Gold “Plus” rating, which meets LEED Gold standards while taking extra measures regarding net-zero energy, waste reduction, and water conservation. Currently, 22% of campus operates under LEED standards.

Goal: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, based on a 2005 baseline.

Progress

Greenhouse gas emissions have flatlined in recent years; since 2015 greenhouse gas emissions have been projected to decrease by more than 16,000 metric tons equivalent of CO2 each year. This is due in part to projects like the renovation of our cogeneration facilities and the installation of the 500 kW solar farm on East Campus.

View our directory for all campus programs related to sustainability

Check out our campus sustainability map to see all of CU-Boulder’s green features

Learn more about Environmental Leadership at CU-Boulder

Academics

Operations

Engagement

Legacy

Sep	OCT	Nov
	14
2015	2016	2017

Search this site

Search this site

Home