Sustainability

Private philanthropy spurs sustainability initiatives at CU Boulder

Elizabeth Lock — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 12:48:08 +0000

Private philanthropy spurs sustainability initiatives at CU Boulder Elizabeth Lock Wed, 10/08/2025 - 06:48

The ��'s momentum in sustainability continues to build with its third significant gift in this area within the past few months.

CU Boulder recently received a generous $1.15 million commitment from the Walton Family Foundation to support two sustainability initiatives: The Water Desk within the Center for Environmental Journalism and the Western Water Policy Program in the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources.

This award—along with a gift from alum Spike Buckley to establish the Buckley Center for Sustainability Education and a donation of the 476-acre Spruce Gulch Wildlife and Research Reserve from alum Linda Holubar Sanabria—demonstrates the power of donor support to drive sustainability initiatives at the university.

"Sustainability is a core priority of CU Boulder because we want to help every community enjoy access to clean air, fresh water, abundant food and a vibrant natural environment," said CU Boulder Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock. "We are grateful for partners like the Walton Family Foundation who help us make progress toward that vision through innovative programs like The Water Desk and the Western Water Policy Program. Journalistic coverage of water issues and sound policy development are absolutely vital to our understanding of water issues in the West and preservation of critical resources like the Colorado River.”

Advancing Western water policy

The Walton Family Foundation's commitment will support programs that directly address Western water issues, specifically in those affecting the Colorado River Basin.

A portion of the award will bolster impactful journalism at The Water Desk—a program within the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information. The Water Desk is editorially independent and connects journalists with resources to help them understand and cover issues related to water policy in the West. In doing so, it informs the public and policymakers with fact-based reporting.

Luke Runyon, co-director of The Water Desk, said this grant comes at a critical time for both journalism and water in the West.

"The news industry is facing budget shortfalls and staff cutbacks, while climate change continues to upend how the water cycle functions in our region," Runyon said. "In-depth, high-impact reporting on the Colorado River Basin is more important than ever. The Walton Family Foundation's generous, continued support of The Water Desk gives us the ability to grow a network of media outlets that provides coverage across the West.

"This philanthropic funding for water journalism is essential for informing citizens and decision-makers about problems and potential solutions."

The support will also help the Western Water Policy Program in the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and Environment within Colorado Law, and shape the policy and leadership of new river operating rules. The funding will support the center's annual conference, revitalize the Colorado River Research Group and mentor future water leaders in water law and policy.

"Communities need trusted, fact-based journalism and ideas to help make decisions about how to protect water, nature and the people who rely on them," said Ted Kowalski, Colorado Initiative lead for the Walton Family Foundation's Environment Program. "This support for The Water Desk and the Western Water Policy Program will connect local ideas to local leaders."

Leading in sustainability-based programs

Today's students seek opportunities to incorporate sustainability and environmental leadership into their education. Programs supporting water policy align with these student goals and position CU Boulder as a leader in sustainability-based education and research.

Continued donor support helps the university attract top students, support their educational progress, expand their educational experiences on campus and set them up for success after graduation. And sustainability touches more than scientific academic areas: Recent support through private philanthropy demonstrates how disciplines across campus can incorporate programs and initiatives that address society's greatest environmental challenges, empowering the next generation of policymakers, journalists, researchers and innovators to lead in this space.

5 ways faculty, staff put CU Boulder on map at NYC Climate Week

Megan Maneval — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 17:33:49 +0000

5 ways faculty, staff put CU Boulder on map at NYC Climate Week Megan Maneval Tue, 09/30/2025 - 11:33

Multiple CU Boulder sustainability leaders helped raise the visibility of campus efforts during New York City Climate Week Sept. 21–28, including a keynote address, climate comedy and more.

NYC Climate Week, coinciding timing-wise with the United Nations General Assembly, is billed as the world’s largest climate gathering outside of the United Nations’ (UN) annual Conference of Parties (COP), bringing together global leaders and innovators “to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, fairer future.”

CU Boulder Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock, Associate Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Cara Carmichael, Theatre Professor Beth Osnes-Stoedefalke, and Environmental Studies Professor and CIRES Fellow Max Boykoff, who was recently hired to lead the Buckley Center for Sustainable Education, all participated in various events during the week.

Officials from CU Boulder and the American Council on Education convened a panel on the new Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability. Left to right: Cara Carmichael, associate vice chancellor for sustainability, CU Boulder; Andrew Mayock, vice chancellor for sustainability, CU Boulder; Mushtaq Gunja, executive director of the Carnegie Classification Systems, American Council on Education; Marisol Morales, executive director of the Elective Classifications, American Council on Education.

Green Schools keynote, panel

Mayock and Carmichael both played key roles at the ninth annual Green Schools Conference. Mayock provided the keynote address, where—in addition to speaking about the unique opportunity for universities to lead in the sustainability space—he announced that CU Boulder has been selected to host a new Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability.

Both Carmichael and Mayock then joined partners from the American Council on Education, which administers the Carnegie classifications, in a panel discussion highlighting the new elective classification and next steps.

The Green Schools Conference bestowed upon Mayock, the former chief sustainability officer for the federal government, its “Patron of the Planet” award in honor of his “exceptional leadership in advancing climate policy, education, and action” and “steadfast dedication to protecting the Earth and its future generations.”

Boykoff on 'information integrity' at UN General Assembly, book launch

Boykoff participated in a pair of events focused on information integrity related to climate communication.

At a UN General Assembly event hosted by the office of the UN Secretary General, Boykoff participated in a roundtable to talk about how mis- and dis-information influences climate action. The event provided a platform for leaders to build understanding, momentum and support for climate information integrity as COP30 in Brazil approaches this fall.

The second event connected to information integrity was a book launch for “Climate Obstruction: A Global Assessment,” for which Boykoff co-authored a chapter. The book chronicles the efforts around the world to resist and undermine policies that address climate change.

International Universities Climate Alliance policy discussion

Carmichael served as a panelist at a virtual event hosted by the International Universities Climate Alliance that highlighted the role universities play at the intersection of climate research and policy.

Carmichael highlighted the new Carnegie elective classification, CU Boulder’s leadership support to deliver on climate solutions, and the university’s prowess in tech transfer of climate and sustainability-related research into viable startup companies.

CU Boulder Theatre Professor Beth Osnes-Stoedefalke and Environmental Studies Professor and CIRES Fellow Max Boykoff pose with comedians at the Caveat Comedy Club, where "The Heat of the Moment" Climate Comedy event was held during New York City Climate Week.

Comedy for a cause

At the start of Climate Week activities, Osnes-Stoedefalke and Boykoff co-produced “The Heat of the Moment,” a live comedy showcase at Caveat Comedy Club in which CU Boulder students collaborated with comedians from “The Daily Show,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” and Comedy Central to develop material for the performance.

Osnes-Stoedefalke opened the showcase, performing for a sellout crowd at the club on Manhattan’s Lower East Side alongside seven other professional comedians.

The event was a product of CU Boulder’s Inside the Greenhouse initiative, an interdisciplinary collaborative effort that works to deepen understanding of how issues associated with climate change can be communicated.

'The Future of Global Climate Action Roundtable'

Mayock participated in “The Future of Global Climate Action Roundtable” hosted by the Aspen Instituted Energy and Environment Program.

The event brought together leaders from a number of sectors to discuss the future of global climate governance and reflect on their visions for sustained climate action.

Additional Climate Week presence

Mayock also joined the 2025 Templeton Prize award ceremony, where Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of 300 million Eastern Orthodox Christians, was honored for his efforts to bridge scientific and spiritual understandings of humanity’s relationship with the natural world, bringing together people of different faiths to heed a call for environmental stewardship.

Environmental activist Jane Goodall and former Vice President Al Gore praised Bartholomew for using the stature of his office for convening groups of scientists, scholars, political leaders, and clerics from the Catholic, Jewish and Muslim worlds.

Multiple CU Boulder sustainability leaders helped raise the visibility of campus efforts during New York City Climate Week in September, including a keynote address, climate comedy and more.

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Engineering program helps launch 3D plastic recycling program

Megan Maneval — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:59:02 +0000

Engineering program helps launch 3D plastic recycling program Megan Maneval Tue, 09/30/2025 - 08:59

College of Engineering and Applied Science

What to do with failed 3D prints? A student team's idea and new initiative transforms plastic waste from 3D printing into reusable materials, reducing landfill impacts and championing student innovation.

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Sustainability Council welcomes new members, refines priorities and plans campus listening session

Megan Maneval — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 20:23:13 +0000

Sustainability Council welcomes new members, refines priorities and plans campus listening session Megan Maneval Wed, 09/24/2025 - 14:23

The Campus Sustainability Council convened on Sept. 12 to discuss the following topics:

Council membership updates

Four new members joined: Kaila Red Bow (student), Martin Kelley (staff), Kathryn Wendell (staff) and Sara Tabatabaie (faculty). Associate Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Cara Carmichael is now an ex officio member.

Campus sustainability updates

Council Co-chair Chris Ewing and other members of the council provided updates on the following initiatives:

Leadership and governance: New vice chancellor for sustainability (Andrew Mayock); associate vice chancellor (Cara Carmichael); director for campus climate action, sustainability and resilience (Josh Radoff); and faculty executive director of the Buckley Center for Sustainability Education (Max Boykoff)
Climate and energy: Decarbonization plan design underway; efficiency upgrades in 18 buildings; new solar arrays (on site and off site); geothermal studies; ENVD retrofit pilot
Zero waste and materials: PepsiCo contract eliminating single-use bottles; campus waste study; reusable serviceware pilot; new surplus store
Food and dining: CU ranked No. 1 nationally for plant-based dining, expanding offerings
Mobility: Buff Bus fleet expansion with new electric buses; free BCycle memberships for students and employees
Education and innovation: $10M Buckley Center for Sustainability Education; Boulder Climate Ventures program supporting student climate startups
Engagement and collaboration: Boulder Faculty Assembly partnership to engage academic units into strategies for reducing Scope 3 emissions in alignment of the Climate Action Plan goals

Council structure and process feedback

The council continues as an advisory body to the chancellor, cabinet and senior sustainability leadership, integrating sustainability across academic, operational, research and community activities.
Members discussed the need for clearer communication on proposal review and tracking, more structured outreach and defined success metrics.
Opportunities for improvement include a formal proposal process, enhanced engagement and outreach and better integration with campus frameworks like STARS.

Join the Sustainable Buffs community

Share your sustainability ideas

Council priorities for 2025–26

Five focus areas identified in spring 2025: zero waste and plastics, transportation, food, composting and Scope 3 emissions.
The council will reassess these priorities to ensure alignment with campus needs, member expertise and actionable outcomes. Final priorities may be confirmed by December.
Measurable engagement is seen as a key success metric.

Fall 2025 listening session

Planned for November, this public forum will gather input from the campus community.
The session will focus on council priority themes, campuswide sustainability updates and open discussion.
Council members will be polled for the best date and time.

Next steps and upcoming meetings

Refine the council proposal template to emphasize problem definition, evidence, alignment and sponsorship.
Develop review deadlines and a tracking system for proposals including a regular annual cadence for submissions.
Identify key performance indicators for engagement and clarify student/outside entity involvement.
Upcoming meetings: Oct. 10, Nov. 14 (including the listening session) and Dec. 12.

The Sustainability Council welcomed new members, reviewed campuswide sustainability initiatives, refined its priorities for 2025–26 and announced a November listening session to engage the community in shaping future actions.

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3 ways Limelight Hotel Boulder aligns with campus sustainability values

Megan Maneval — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 17:08:08 +0000

3 ways Limelight Hotel Boulder aligns with campus sustainability values Megan Maneval Wed, 09/17/2025 - 11:08

The Limelight Hotel Boulder, which officially opened its doors on Aug. 20, includes a number of design features that align with CU Boulder’s sustainability values. Located in the northwest corner of campus, the hotel is designed to receive LEED Gold certification standards, in alignment with CU Boulder’s sustainability goals.

Click images to enlarge

The hotel represents the result of years of dedicated collaboration between CU Boulder, the city of Boulder and a wide range of community stakeholders. As the largest facility of its kind in Boulder, the conference center hotel has long been recognized as a key community project—one expected to boost economic activity and contribute to the revitalization of the University Hill business district.

“The Limelight Hotel Boulder will provide an expansive meeting and event space for our faculty and community leaders to showcase the groundbreaking research and creative work taking place on our campus and throughout Boulder to peers and collaborators,” said CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz. “We are excited to partner with a company like Limelight that shares our sustainability values and has thoughtfully incorporated design features that reflect those values.”

All-electric design for a greener grid

The building is powered entirely by electricity, making it the largest all-electric hotel in the country, according to Limelight. Being all electric (with the exception of the outdoor fire pit areas) means there is no on-site combustion used to heat the building. This, along with the decarbonizing Colorado grid (state law requires an 85% reduction by 2030 and 100% by 2050), means the building will steadily decarbonize over time. This design choice aligns with CU Boulder’s climate goals.

The building’s mechanical systems also include hot water storage, which enables the electric heating system to store the energy and ramp down during peak periods on the electricity grid, thus supporting system resilience and cost-effective, clean electricity. Its high-performance exterior walls and roof assemblies significantly decrease the need for heating and cooling.

Inside guest rooms, low-voltage LED lighting and thermostats are controlled by sensors that shut off lights and adjust temperature set points when guests leave their room and return to previous settings when guests return.

Sustainable construction and site planning

The hotel was built on a former gas station site, requiring environmental restoration before construction began. Soil decontamination and improved underground water management were key early steps, and its prefabricated wall framing system helped reduce construction waste.

Additional features include a rainscreen façade system for durability and energy efficiency, pilings that allow water to flow beneath the parking structure and landscaping that uses native plants to reduce water consumption.

Food and beverage operations with a climate lens

Inside the hotel, the kitchen and dining areas are also fully electric, which is reshaping the status quo for high-end, high volume commercial kitchen equipment and appliances. The food and beverage team has implemented a range of sustainability practices, including:

All food waste being composted in partnership with BioGreen 360
A commitment to eliminating single-use plastics, with compostable alternatives and reusable items prioritized
Sourcing approximately 40% of ingredients from local and regional providers, including Boulder Bread Works, Wood Grain Bagels and local farms and breweries
In-house preparation of items like pasta and smoked pastrami to reduce packaging waste
Creative food waste reduction strategies, such as using scraps to make stocks, tartare and pickles

More about the Limelight Hotel Boulder

Number of guest rooms: 250
Other amenities: Ground-floor restaurant, public outdoor plaza
Event space: 15,000-sq-ft ballroom and 10,000 sq ft of meeting space
To book a space: Campus entities contact Conference Services; non-campus affiliates contact Limelight

The Limelight Hotel Boulder, which officially opened on Aug. 20 on CU Boulder's campus, includes a number of sustainable design features. As Boulder's largest meeting and event space, it aims to foster community collaboration while advancing climate-conscious practices in hospitality.

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Max Boykoff, Josh Radoff to lead key campus sustainability initiatives

Megan Maneval — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 17:53:42 +0000

Max Boykoff, Josh Radoff to lead key campus sustainability initiatives Megan Maneval Thu, 09/04/2025 - 11:53

In alignment with CU Boulder’s strategic sustainability priorities, the university has appointed two faculty members to lead transformative campus efforts in education and infrastructure.

Max Boykoff, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) fellow and former chair of the Environmental Studies (ENVS) department, has been named the inaugural faculty executive director of the newly launched Buckley Center for Sustainability Education.

Josh Radoff, Masters of the Environment (MENV) Renewable and Sustainable Energy Specialization lead, will serve as director of campus climate action, sustainability and resilience within the Office of Infrastructure and Resilience.

“These appointments reflect our commitment to integrating faculty expertise into the heart of our sustainability strategy,” said Andrew Mayock, vice chancellor for sustainability. “Max and Josh bring deep knowledge and collaborative spirit to efforts that will elevate CU Boulder as a global leader in sustainability education and climate action.”

Boykoff, Buckley Center to elevate sustainability communication

Max Boykoff

Boykoff, a CIRES fellow and faculty member in ENVS since 2009, brings deep expertise in sustainability, interdisciplinary collaboration and student engagement. For this position, he will report to Andrew Mayock.

“Max is a visionary leader who understands how to connect sustainability education inside and outside the classroom,” Mayock said. “This is an exciting moment for CU Boulder. With new leadership across campus and a clear set of priorities, we have unprecedented opportunities to serve our students and elevate CU Boulder as a global hub for sustainability education.”

The Buckley Center was made possible by a transformational gift from donor Spike Buckley, whose vision emphasizes agility, innovation and student-centered programming. Funds will enable the center to launch initiatives that build student capacity, confidence and competence in sustainability. In addition to hiring staff for the new initiative, the Buckley Center will start to develop student-centered programming, including fellowships and experiential learning.

Boykoff’s leadership will focus on engaging students through fellow and scholar programs, experiential learning and cross-campus collaboration. The center will also work closely with faculty to co-produce sustainability curricula and integrate sustainability themes into diverse disciplines.

“I’m honored to help launch the Buckley Center and excited to work with students and faculty to build something transformative,” Boykoff said. “We have a real opportunity to connect sustainability education with student success, graduation rates and global impact. This is about empowering students to lead in their communities and careers.”

The Buckley Center will align closely with CU Boulder’s sustainability goals, which include the Climate Action Plan (CAP), emphasizing connectivity, communication and coordination. Programming will be flexible to support a wide range of student ambitions, from guided projects to independent initiatives.

Radoff to help bring Climate Action Plan to life

Josh Radoff

Radoff will lead the implementation and evolution of the CAP, with a particular focus on Scope 3 emissions (or emissions caused by CU Boulder’s actions but coming from sources it doesn’t directly own or control), as well as zero-waste initiatives and the elimination of single-use plastics. For this position, he will report to Chris Ewing, vice chancellor for infrastructure and resilience.

Radoff will lead efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve sustainability across campus operations—covering energy systems, building design, waste management, transportation and educational integration. This includes coordinating infrastructure upgrades, supporting sustainable construction and using campus sustainability data for student learning and engagement.

Radoff will continue his faculty role as renewable and sustainable energy specialization lead within the MENV program, and he was recently appointed as a commissioner on Colorado’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission.

“CU Boulder is at an inflection point,” Radoff said. “We’re turning the CAP into reality through projects people can see and feel. These efforts are imminent, challenging and essential—not just for us, but for other institutions like ours.”

Radoff emphasized the importance of celebrating the “unsung heroes” who are driving sustainability efforts across campus—from building an electric vehicle infrastructure to advancing zero-waste logistics. He sees himself as part of a new team, working alongside Boykoff (with whom he shares a professional history) to shape CU Boulder’s sustainability action and education.

Max Boykoff will be the inaugural faculty executive director of the Buckley Center for Sustainability Education, and Josh Radoff will work with the Office of Infrastructure and Resilience to lead the implementation of the campus Climate Action Plan.

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Buff Bus evolves: Marine Street Express goes on demand

Megan Maneval — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 15:51:09 +0000

Buff Bus evolves: Marine Street Express goes on demand Megan Maneval Thu, 09/04/2025 - 09:51

This fall, CU Boulder’s Buff Bus system is rolling out a major update designed to make campus transit more efficient, flexible and accessible for all riders.

On Oct. 1, the Marine Street Express will be replaced by a new on-demand transit service powered by Via. This service will allow riders to request rides between eight designated stops across campus using a new mobile app (coming soon). Riders will be able to select their pickup and drop-off locations, choose a departure time (ASAP or scheduled) and receive real-time wait estimates.

Stops

Stops will include:

Euclid Avenue and 18th Street (across from the CASE building)
C4C westbound (Regent Drive, south side of the Center for Community)
C4C eastbound (Regent Drive, across from the Center for Community)
Regent at Lot 436 (Regent Drive, across from the engineering building)
Marine Street Science Center (3394 Marine St.)
OIT (East Campus Computing Center) 3760 Marine St.)
CINC (Center for Innovation and Creativity) (1777 Exposition Drive)
Distribution Center and CU Boulder Surplus Store (3300 Walnut St.)

This new service is ADA accessible and designed to offer broader coverage to our East Campus locations than the current fixed-route system.

Why it matters

These changes are part of CU Boulder’s ongoing commitment to smarter, more sustainable campus mobility. The new on-demand model:

Reduces per-boarding costs
Increases rider flexibility
Supports accessibility with ADA-compliant vehicles
Aligns with sustainability goals through EV integration

What to expect

QR codes will be posted at stops for easy app access.
Buff Ride stickers on the sides of the Via vehicles will help riders identify Buff Ride vehicles.
Transit app and campus map updates soon will reflect the new service.
Internal communications will be sent to building proctors and departments along the Marine Street corridor.

In addition to these changes, updates to the Williams Village route are posted online. The Stampede and Bear Creek Express routes remain unchanged.

Stay tuned for more details as the semester approaches. For Buff Bus questions contact Buff Bus Services at transportationsvcs@colorado.edu. For accessibility support contact Disability Services at dsinfo@colorado.edu.

CU Boulder's Marine Street Express route will transition to a flexible, ADA-accessible on-demand service this fall, offering riders app-based access to key campus locations and marking a major step forward in sustainable, user-centered transit.

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CU Boulder's green summer: 7 sustainability moves you may have missed

Megan Maneval — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:51:04 +0000

CU Boulder's green summer: 7 sustainability moves you may have missed Megan Maneval Wed, 09/03/2025 - 06:51

CU Boulder’s campus was buzzing with sustainability progress this summer. With Chancellor Justin Schwartz placing sustainability at the forefront, the university has been making significant strides in research, education, operations and engagement—turning vision into action while many were away.

Buckley Center for Sustainability Education established

A $10 million gift from a CU Boulder alum will transform the way sustainability is taught at CU Boulder—empowering students and faculty to create a more environmentally sustainable future in the face of a changing climate.

No more single-use beverage plastics

CU Boulder has finalized a 10-year pouring rights agreement with PepsiCo Beverages that will eliminate all single-use plastics from campus beverage services, advancing the university’s Climate Action Plan (CAP).

Be a Sustainable Buff

If you are looking for ways to get involved with sustainability at CU Boulder, the Environmental Center’s Sustainable Buffs program is a great place to start. Learn more.

Boulder Climate Ventures launches

The Leeds School of Business program made CU Boulder the first U.S. public university in Breakthrough Energy’s global network, joining MIT and Stanford.

Campus decarbonization plan

The university has launched a multiphase decarbonization project to transition its campus district heating system from steam to low-temperature hot water, selecting engineering firm Salas O'Brien to design the plan that will help CU Boulder achieve its carbon neutrality goals.

From plastic to fertilizer

With a Research & Innovation Office seed grant, the Emergent Nanotechnology Lab team has begun research to develop new bioplastics made to be used as fertilizer at end of life.

Leeds received a transformative gift

A significant gift to the Leeds School of Business at CU Boulder will expand experiential learning, enhance student success and mental health, and support faculty excellence—all in service of the mission to elevate business as a force for good.

Off-site solar array breaks ground

CU Boulder has partnered with Pivot Energy to begin building a 5-megawatt off-site solar array that advances the university's Climate Action Plan by expanding renewable energy use.

CU Boulder made major sustainability strides this summer, including launching a campus decarbonization plan, eliminating single-use beverage plastics, advancing bioplastics research and securing transformative gifts to boost sustainability education and business.

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Ride smart: Tips for safe and sustainable campus cycling

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 16:27:43 +0000

Ride smart: Tips for safe and sustainable campus cycling Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 08/29/2025 - 10:27

Biking is one of the most popular ways to navigate campus and Boulder. Here are some tips to help you maintain and protect your bike for a convenient and sustainable way to get around.

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CU Boulder breaks ground on off-site solar array

Megan Maneval — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:00:10 +0000

CU Boulder breaks ground on off-site solar array Megan Maneval Wed, 08/13/2025 - 12:00

Representatives from CU Boulder and Pivot Energy break ground on the new solar array in Weld County. Left to right: Brian Lindoerfer, associate vice chancellor for Facilities Management, CU Boulder; Chris Ewing, vice chancellor for infrastructure and resilience, CU Boulder; Cara Carmichael, associate vice chancellor for sustainability, CU Boulder; Matt Brenn, director, Community Solar Subscriptions, Pivot Energy; Mat Elmore, senior vice president, Strategic Accounts, Pivot Energy; Isaiah Grayck, project manager, Pivot Energy

CU Boulder has broken ground on an off-site 5-megawatt solar array through a virtual net metering (VNEM) agreement with Pivot Energy that was initiated last year, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality. The project site is on 23 acres of land in Weld County that is jointly leased by Pivot Energy and CU Boulder.

Thanks to the virtual net metering agreement with Pivot Energy, this project will generate approximately 9.5 million kWh of clean energy annually—the equivalent amount of energy used across three of CU’s laboratory buildings (SEEC, SEEL and LASP). Laid end-to-end, the project's approximate 8,000 solar panels are enough to fill four football fields.

“This partnership with Pivot Energy is a powerful example of how CU Boulder is leading with purpose,” said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. “We’re not just talking about sustainability—we’re building it into the fabric of our operations in ways that are both financially responsible and environmentally impactful.”

Colorado Senate Bill 21-26 made the VNEM program possible, enabling CU Boulder to benefit from the energy produced by off-site solar installations. The initiative is cost-neutral and supports CU’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), which outlines a path to carbon neutrality and responsible energy sourcing. The university will utilize solar power generated by the off-site net-metering solar project without needing to install solar on campus. The off-site solar project feeds directly into the electric grid, with CU Boulder receiving credits for the renewable energy produced on its electric bills. CU will transfer equivalent payments to Pivot that align with Xcel bill credits received.

“This project reflects our deep commitment to sustainability and climate action,” said Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock. “It’s a bold step forward that shows how large institutions can lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact for the planet.”

Pivot Energy is a national leading renewable energy provider and independent power producer that develops, finances, builds, owns and operates solar and energy storage projects. Pivot offers a distributed energy platform that includes a range of services and software to serve the full solar ecosystem.

“Pivot Energy is proud to partner with the �� on this exciting milestone to start construction on this virtual net metering project,” said Mat Elmore, senior vice president of strategic accounts at Pivot Energy. “This is a win-win for both Colorado’s largest university and Pivot by helping CU Boulder reach its renewable energy goals, and Pivot advancing its mission to accelerate the shift to solar energy in communities throughout the nation."

The project broke ground on Aug. 5, 2025, and is expected to be complete in spring 2026.

Beyond the story

Our sustainability impact by the numbers:

First student-run campus environmental center in the U.S.
No. 11 university for environmental and social impact in the U.S.
First zero-waste major sports stadium in the U.S.

Follow CU Boulder on LinkedIn

CU Boulder has begun building a 5-megawatt solar array off site in Weld County that advances the university's Climate Action Plan by expanding renewable energy use.

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Sustainability

Private philanthropy spurs sustainability initiatives at CU Boulder

Advancing Western water policy

Leading in sustainability-based programs

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Stops

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