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| Blueprint
for a Green Campus |
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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)
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| 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:
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| 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:
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The following Blueprint department-based reports are also
avaliable on the web:
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| Campus
Sustainability Events |
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| Sustainable CU |
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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
- Sustainable foods toolbox including a directory, preference survey,
signage and reusable food baskets, $3654
- Funding Facilities Management for the difference in price between a
planned vehicle replacement and a new electric vehicle from E-Ride
Industries, $8400
- Reusable bag pilot study for waste reduction in campus grab and go dining
units, $1450
- Outdoor recycling bins for grab and go waste, $2600
- Norlin Sundial pervious paving and drainage system, $2400
- Facilities Management microfiber cleaning technology, $7376
- Folsom Park Bicycle Station, $55,000
- Wolf Law Building 10kW Solar Array, $41,000
- Facilities Management Sod Farm, $15,284
- Water refill stations at Housing grab and go dining units, $13,080
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
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| Campus
Environmental Awards |
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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.
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| Campus
Master Plan |
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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.
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| Green
Building |
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 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
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| Green
Office Program |
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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.
Read More
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| Environmentally Responsible Purchasing |
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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."
Read More
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| Campus
Environmental Council |
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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:
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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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