Sustainability

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.

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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 ��ɫ��Ƶ’s sustainability values. Located in the northwest corner of campus, the hotel is designed to receive LEED Gold certification standards, in alignment with ��ɫ��Ƶ’s sustainability goals.

Click images to enlarge

The hotel represents the result of years of dedicated collaboration between ��ɫ��Ƶ, 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ’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 ��ɫ��Ƶ'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 ��ɫ��Ƶ’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 ��ɫ��Ƶ 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ. With new leadership across campus and a clear set of priorities, we have unprecedented opportunities to serve our students and elevate ��ɫ��Ƶ 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ’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 ��ɫ��Ƶ’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.

“��ɫ��Ƶ 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ’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, ��ɫ��Ƶ’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 ��ɫ��Ƶ 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ’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.

��ɫ��Ƶ'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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��ɫ��Ƶ's green summer: 7 sustainability moves you may have missed

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

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

��ɫ��Ƶ’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 ��ɫ��Ƶ alum will transform the way sustainability is taught at ��ɫ��Ƶ—empowering students and faculty to create a more environmentally sustainable future in the face of a changing climate.

No more single-use beverage plastics

��ɫ��Ƶ 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ, 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ 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

��ɫ��Ƶ 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.

��ɫ��Ƶ 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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��ɫ��Ƶ breaks ground on off-site solar array

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

��ɫ��Ƶ breaks ground on off-site solar array Megan Maneval Wed, 08/13/2025 - 12:00

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

��ɫ��Ƶ 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ.

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 ��ɫ��Ƶ 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ 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 ��ɫ��Ƶ on LinkedIn

��ɫ��Ƶ 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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$10M investment to invigorate sustainability education at ��ɫ��Ƶ

Megan Maneval — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 18:47:50 +0000

$10M investment to invigorate sustainability education at ��ɫ��Ƶ Megan Maneval Tue, 08/05/2025 - 12:47

Left to right: Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock, alumnus and donor Spike Buckley, and Chancellor Justin Schwartz at the signing ceremony.

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

Through a venture-style investment designed for rapid impact, the gift from Spike Buckley will establish the Buckley Center for Sustainability Education. Buckley’s donation will provide $2 million annually for the next five years to implement a robust sustainability curriculum across campus, advance faculty impact and educate students for a more sustainable future.

“��ɫ��Ƶ is already a powerhouse in sustainability and climate research,” said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. “Spike's remarkably generous gift will allow us to better support the growing number of students across disciplines who are seeking the knowledge, skills and experiences to lead and thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

Investing in a more sustainable future

Universities play a key role in helping students engage with the environmental challenges shaping our future. The new Buckley Center for Sustainability Education will guide this work at ��ɫ��Ƶ, providing resources to students, faculty and staff to deepen their knowledge and strengthen their ability to integrate sustainability into the curriculum.

In this way, the center will help respond to the growing demand for sustainability education and support students in their pursuit of meaningful work.

Through course development, teaching collaborations, learning modules and tech tools, the center will create best practices and offer support for integrating sustainability concepts into courses across campus. The center will also support faculty in effectively teaching sustainability concepts—for example, through a fellowships program, curriculum ambassadors, professional development and recognition for outstanding sustainability educators.

“The Buckley Center will use a hub-and-spoke approach to accelerate this work, serving as the central coordinator for sustainability-related curricular efforts on campus,” said Andrew Mayock, ��ɫ��Ƶ’s vice chancellor for sustainability.

“By fostering a collaborative and dynamic environment for learning, research and real-world application, the center will not only prepare students to tackle environmental challenges but empower them to lead global solutions.”

Lastly, all students on campus will have the opportunity to participate in experiential learning, civic engagement, career pathways and leadership development related to sustainability, including through a new, competitive Buckley Scholars Program for students committed to sustainability work.

��ɫ��Ƶ is uniquely equipped to continue its leadership role in sustainability education. By combining its legacy of environmental leadership—including its fifth STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education—with world-renowned research institutes, academic programs and local partners, the university is an ideal hub for advancing innovative learning.

“The impact of these efforts will resonate around the world, preparing graduates who are equipped to shape a sustainable future for all,” Mayock said.

A legacy of impact

Spike Buckley is a proud graduate of ��ɫ��Ƶ’s economics program and a successful real estate redeveloper with four decades of experience across the U.S. and Canada. A longtime environmental philanthropist and advocate, Buckley founded the nonprofit Earth’s Call Fund in 2019 and One Earth Philanthropy in 2021 to help discover and fund climate solutions.

He has been recognized for his leadership in climate action, including with the Earth Legacy Leadership Award from the American Renewable Energy Day Summit in 2019. He has also served on the boards of several organizations focused on climate, public health and technology, and actively supports a wide range of environmental and conservation causes.

Buckley's gift to establish the Buckley Center for Sustainability Education underscores his confidence and commitment to advancing education in areas critical to the planet’s future.

“Thanks to recent initiatives, events and awards, CU finds itself uniquely positioned to take a leadership role among universities in the drive toward a more sustainable world,” said Buckley. “It is my fervent hope that CU students, faculty and alumni will ultimately see the Center for Sustainability Education as their vehicle to make the world a better place for future generations.”

This gift is part of ��ɫ��Ƶ’s strategic vision and investments in a more sustainable future. For more information, visit colorado.edu/sustainability.

Sustainability at ��ɫ��Ƶ

Recognition and rankings

First university to earn and maintain a STARS Gold rating for five consecutive cycles

Ranked 11th in the U.S. for sustainability by QS World University Rankings (2024)

Top five global rankings in earth and atmospheric sciences

Pioneering achievements

First U.S. campus with a student-run Environmental Center (1970)

Launched the nation’s first campus recycling program (1976)

Among the first universities to commit to carbon neutrality (2007)

First major college football stadium with a zero-waste program

First university to sign the UN’s Sports for Climate Change Action Framework

Academic and research leadership

Sustainability to be integrated across all colleges and schools through the Sustainable Futures Common Curriculum

Home to leading institutes and centers like CIRES, RASEI, INSTAAR, LASP, IBS and NSIDC

Strong national and global research collaborations with federal labs, NGOs and industry partners

Established the campus-wide Sustainability Research Initiative (SRI) in 2024

Climate action and innovation

Climate Action Plan targets 50% emissions reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050

Investments in solar, geothermal and electric fleet upgrades

Zero-waste and net-zero initiatives in athletics facilities

Eliminated single-use beverage plastics on campus (2025)

National leadership and partnerships

Founding member of the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3)

Member of the Board of Directors of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)

Co-hosted the inaugural Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit with the UN (2022)

Free BCycle memberships now available for CU employees

Megan Maneval — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:53:46 +0000

Free BCycle memberships now available for CU employees Megan Maneval Fri, 08/01/2025 - 08:53

Starting Aug. 1, all CU employees are eligible for a free annual BCycle membership, thanks to a partnership between ��ɫ��Ƶ's Environmental Center and BCycle. Previously, employees received a discounted rate.

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Folsom Field to feature new turf this football season

Megan Maneval — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 18:34:09 +0000

Folsom Field to feature new turf this football season Megan Maneval Wed, 07/30/2025 - 12:34

The Buffaloes will have a new field on which to roam this fall, as the ��ɫ��Ƶ Athletic Department has installed new artificial turf at Folsom Field. The month-long project was completed at the end of June and will be on full display for fans when CU hosts Georgia Tech in the football home opener on Aug. 29.

Folsom now features AstroTurf’s RootZone 3D3 system, a premium synthetic turf system known for its player safety, durability and natural look. The new surface features a stable playing surface designed to reduce field related wear and tear while meeting stringent safety standards.

The new field also includes a 20-millimeter shock pad manufactured by Brock, a Boulder-based company that also has created a revolutionary infill that is safer for athletes and the environment. Unlike the rubber infill that is commonly used in artificial fields, the product, BrockFILL, is composed of small pine pellets created through a patented process in a zero-waste U.S. factory.

The wood pellets provide better traction, help keep the field cooler and are substantially better for the environment than their rubber counterparts because the organic components are recyclable when the turf needs to be replaced. The wood pellets also don’t release chemicals into the air or leach into rainwater like crumb rubber can. Folsom’s BrockFILL field pellets contain approximately 40,000 pounds of sequestered carbon, which is the approximate equivalent of keeping 145,000 pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.

“We are excited to update the playing surface at Folsom Field with a field that considers athlete safety and the environment through a partnership with Brock, which is a Boulder company,” said Athletic Director Rick George. “This new field will provide a consistent playing surface year-round, while also providing added opportunities to host more events like concerts at Folsom Field. It also looks great!”

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 ��ɫ��Ƶ on LinkedIn

"As a proud CU alumnus, it was a dream come true to be part of the Folsom Field renovation,” said Dan Sawyer, Brock Founder & CEO. “CU Athletics set out to create the next generation of artificial turf—one that considers both player safety and environmental impact. That vision aligned perfectly with Brock’s mission, and the collaboration inspired everyone involved. The result is a field that plays like natural grass, delivers the firmness and speed athletes need, and eliminates concerns about crumb rubber making its way into Boulder Creek."

The new turf will also have a significant reduction in maintenance impacts, including water use, fuel for equipment and fertilizer.

Folsom Field featured artificial turf from 1971 to 1998 before switching to natural grass. Nearly 70% of teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision play on an artificial surface. Most importantly, the new field has been approved by Ralphie, who will still perform her pre-game and halftime runs on the field every home game.

The new state-of-the-art surface combines safety, durability and eco-friendly features while providing the flexibility to host more events at the iconic stadium.

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Sustainability

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

Council membership updates

Campus sustainability updates

Council structure and process feedback

Council priorities for 2025–26

Fall 2025 listening session

Next steps and upcoming meetings

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All-electric design for a greener grid

Sustainable construction and site planning

Food and beverage operations with a climate lens

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Max Boykoff, Josh Radoff to lead key campus sustainability initiatives

Boykoff, Buckley Center to elevate sustainability communication

Radoff to help bring Climate Action Plan to life

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Boulder Climate Ventures launches

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Leeds received a transformative gift

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