Colorado College
Contact Information
Education and Research:
The Colorado College Environmental Program
The Environmental Program, founded in 1995, prepares its majors to understand their connection to the environment, acquire the skills to explore scientific and human interrelationships in the global ecosystem, and pursue interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving. Colorado College offers majors in Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Environmental Chemistry and Environmental Physics, along with a thematic Environmental Issues minor available to students of any discipline. The recently developed Environmental Policy major offers an integrated approach with emphasis on Political Science and Economics. All majors include three common interdisciplinary courses: Environmental Inquiry, Environmental Management, and Environmental Synthesis.
Environmental Program Faculty members conduct and support a wide range of environmental research. Independent research is a valuable part of the Colorado College Environmental program and often targets local systems, on campus or in the surrounding region. Students in the Environmental Program at CC collect and synthesize data on an environmental issue or system, complete a comprehensive written report, and present the final results to the department. Annually, the Environmental Program hosts “EV Day”, where students present their senior thesis or other research projects to the local community. In 2009, EV Day included eight oral presentations and ten poster presentations from EV majors.
Campus Sustainability
Many members of the campus community are highly active in promoting sustainability at the campus, local, and regional levels, and numerous sustainability initiatives have been developed by students, faculty, and staff at Colorado College over the past four decades. Sustainability initiatives on campus are frequently tied to the curricula of the Environmental Program, in order to advance local environmental initiatives and maintain fresh perspectives in our courses. Initiatives are most commonly led by EnAct or the Campus Sustainability Council. Enact is, the oldest student group on campus, formed after the first Earth Day in 1970. EnAct serves as a forum to raise environmental and social awareness through research, education, and action at CC and within the Colorado Springs community. The Campus Sustainability Council, first convened in 2002 and appointed by the President annually, is a college committee consisting of faculty, staff, and students, charged with promoting and coordinating campus sustainability initiatives.
State of the Rockies Project
The State of the Rockies Project, now in its sixth year, seeks to increase public understanding of vital issues affecting the Rocky Mountain region. Building upon 130 years of Colorado College service to the region, the Rockies Project conducts state-of-the-art research helping Rockies residents clearly see our communities, our environment and our economy so we can better shape our future. Drawing from innovative, peer-reviewed research, an annual report card “grades” the region on a variety of topics, including regional energy issues, the condition of public lands, expected impacts of climate change, wildlife management, and pollution. An annual conference and speakers series, free and open to the public, encourages the community to join the ongoing discussion of the issues that affect our beautiful yet fragile region.
Campus Operations:
CC Sustainability Plan
In 2008, the Campus Sustainability Council (CSC) developed the Colorado College Sustainability Plan, a web-based, living document that is continually updated to reflect progress, shifting goals, new initiatives and completed actions. Working committees on the CSC and employees in the Office of Sustainability initiate and oversee implementation of the Plan. The Plan is assembled in three, hierarchically-nested parts: Strategic Initiatives, Action Projects and Implementation Measures. Strategic initiatives include Organization and Structure, which defines goals, staffing, and principles of the plan; Finance, which outlines funding strategies and sources; Education, which addresses curriculum, research and informal education for conservation and behavioral change; Energy and Carbon Neutrality, which addresses energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy goals; Buildings and Landscape, which includes green building and landscape practices; and Natural Resources, which covers food, water, purchasing, and waste management.
aCClimate 14
In 2009, the CSC and EnAct launched a 14 week campus-wide conservation campaign, challenging the community to adapt to shifting environmental and economic challenges. The goal was to reduce energy and water use by 14% through individual and departmental actions and behavioral changes. In spite of significant utility rate increases and the addition of a new 73,000 square foot building, the College saved close to $100,000 in utility costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 378 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) compared and normalized to the same time period in the previous year.
Renewable Energy
CC's first on-campus renewable electricity project was completed in 2008. The 22 KW array is the largest solar electric system in the Colorado Springs Utilities service area. CC is currently conducting feasibility studies for large-scale renewable projects to cover electricity needs.
Green Cleaning
In 2008, the college fully implemented green cleaning practices for the entire campus. CC is in the process of becoming the first “Green Seal Certified” campus in the nation.
Recyclemania
CC recently converted the campus to a comprehensive single stream recycling program, increasing the campus waste diversion rate from 15% to nearly 50%. In the first year CC participated in Recyclemania, 2009, the College finished 22nd (top 10%) in the Grand Champion category, which measures cumulative recycling rate.
Colorado College Garden
The CC student garden is a one-acre permaculture inspired garden located on campus. The CC Garden exemplifies the College’s core value of experiential learning and makes an essential contribution to the efforts CC has invested in creating an innovative sustainability plan. The fruits and vegetables grown are sold to our food provider and served in CC's dining venues. They also sell to CC students and attend local farmers’ markets.
Dining Services
In 2008, CC welcomed a new food service provider, Bon Appétit, which specializes in sustainable food preparation, service, and disposal. Local and organic food makes up approximately 45% of food expenditures. Bon Appétit initiated "tray less dining", a program that has reduced food and water waste. Additionally, there is an "EarthTub" composting system in place for the main dining hall, soon to be expanded.
Administration and Finance:
Campus Sustainability Council
In 2002, President Richard Celeste established a Working Group on Campus Sustainability (WGCS) to advise him on strategic directions for campus sustainability. In 2003, the WGCS transitioned to the Campus Sustainability Council (CSC). The CSC, consisting of faculty, staff, and students, is appointed annually by the President. The Council is charged with:
- Promoting environmental awareness
- Making recommendations to ensure a safe and healthy environment
- Promoting resource conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction, recycling, pollution prevention, and use of renewable resources
- Furthering long-range environmental planning
- Conducting regular environmental audits, and
- Encouraging incorporation of sustainability and environmental issues into the curriculum, among other activities.
The College mission statement, revised in 2003, includes sustainability as one of the core values, “to nurture a sense of place and an ethic of environmental sustainability”.
Sustainability Office
The Sustainability Office was established in 2007 to promote campus collaboration, and coordination of campus sustainability initiatives. The office is staffed by an appointed coordinator and 5 to 10 paid student sustainability interns.
President’s Advisory Council on Sustainability
Assembled in 2008, the Advisory Council is made up of environmental leaders in the corporate world, government sector, renewable energy field, environmental consulting, and higher education. The Council is charged with advising and assisting the President, Deans, key staff and Board of Trustees by:
- Providing counsel on current and future directions in the areas of policy, energy, green buildings, investments in sustainability sectors, and other sustainability issues.
- Providing guidance for formulating and executing an actionable plan to achieve carbon neutrality.
- Working with the CSC in their efforts to achieve progress on sustainability measures.
American College & University President’s Climate Commitment
Although urged to sign the ACUPCC in 2007, President Richard Celeste preferred first to have more information in hand, including the college's carbon footprint and a clear idea of the efforts necessary for the campus to reach carbon neutrality. Between 2007 and 2009, the CSC compiled three years of greenhouse gas emissions inventories and drafted a Sustainability Plan, with a includes measures to achieve carbon neutrality by 2020, along with a goal to become carbon-regenerative and a net energy producer. Celeste entered confidently into the agreement April 2009. CC, at the time of signing, had already completed the pledge's first two years of requirements.
Long Range Development Plan (LRDP)
The wider vision, values, and planning principles for the built environment are outlined in the Colorado College LRDP. The LRDP supports the College’s sustainability efforts and articulates the goal for CC to become a leader in environmental sustainability. Development and building guidelines also expressly discuss sustainability as a key consideration in planning.
EcoFund
The “CC EcoFund”, now in its fourth year, was established by the CSC and is maintained through the Office of Sustainability. It offers a means by which member of the campus community can design and implement local environmental initiatives. Initiatives supported by the fund include small building retrofits, occupancy sensors, bicycle sharing and composting.
AASHE Bulletin
For the latest campus sustainability news, resources, opportunities, and events: Subscribe to AASHE Bulletin