Sustainability

BOLDERBoulder to eliminate plastic water bottles at Folsom Field finish line

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 06 May 2026 15:01:19 +0000

BOLDERBoulder to eliminate plastic water bottles at Folsom Field finish line Megan M Rogers Wed, 05/06/2026 - 09:01

Planning to run the BOLDERBoulder this year? Expect something new at the Folsom Field finish line.

The BOLDERBoulder 10K has announced a major sustainability milestone for the 2026 race, eliminating plastic water bottles at the finish line. The initiative is a collaborative effort with CU Boulder.

Beginning with this year’s event, all finish-line hydration will transition to a more environmentally friendly model, designed to reduce waste while maintaining the highest standards of participant care.

To ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, each finisher will receive a commemorative aluminum cup filled with water after crossing the finish line. In addition, multiple refill stations will be conveniently located outside the stadium, allowing participants to easily rehydrate following the race. Participants are encouraged to take advantage of the refill stations and to properly reuse or recycle the aluminum cups following use.

The elimination of plastic water bottles is directly in line with ongoing recycling and composting efforts at Folsom Field. With the founding of Ralphie’s Green Stampede in 2008, Folsom Field became the first zero-waste football stadium in the nation, and sustainability is a priority for all events held at the venue.

The new BOLDERBoulder initiative aligns with broader efforts across the CU Boulder campus and Boulder community to reduce single-use plastics and promote environmentally conscious event operations.

“This is an important step forward for the BOLDERBoulder as we continue to evolve and lead in ways that reflect the values of our community,” said race director Cliff Bosley. “Working alongside CU Boulder, we are proud to introduce a solution that reduces our environmental footprint while still prioritizing the health, safety and experience of every participant.”

The initiative is supported by Nike, which will serve as the presenting sponsor of the aluminum cups distributed to participants.

Additional sustainability efforts for the 2026 BOLDERBoulder

All participant race shirts are made from 100% GRS-certified recycled materials, reducing the environmental impact of race apparel production.
A continued partnership with We Don't Waste to ensure that unused food items from race weekend are redirected to individuals and communities in need of support.

“CU Boulder is proud to partner with the BOLDERBoulder, one of our community’s most iconic events, to bring a shared commitment to sustainability into action,” said CU Boulder �Թ�� Justin Schwartz.

“This initiative reflects how we approach sustainability at CU Boulder: through collaboration, innovation and strong partnerships across our community. Together, we’re helping deliver solutions that reduce environmental impact while enhancing the experience for participants and demonstrating how campus and community can come together to drive meaningful change.”

The BOLDERBoulder, the third largest race in the United States and the largest 10K in the world, annually welcomes more than 50,000 participants to Boulder on Memorial Day. The race finishes inside Folsom Field, where 40,000 spectators celebrate runners as they complete the race.

Get more information about the 2026 BOLDERBoulder.

The BOLDERBoulder 10K has announced a major sustainability milestone for the 2026 race, eliminating plastic water bottles at the finish line. The initiative is a collaborative effort with CU Boulder aligned with broader sustainability efforts on campus.

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CU Recycling celebrates 50 years of impact

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 06 May 2026 12:23:13 +0000

CU Recycling celebrates 50 years of impact Megan M Rogers Wed, 05/06/2026 - 06:23

In 1976, long before the CU Boulder Surplus Store, the Climate Action Plan or the SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education, a small group of passionate CU Boulder students ran a DIY recycling operation out of two decommissioned military trailers. Now, 50 years later, CU Boulder is celebrating the anniversary of campus recycling: a program that has evolved with the times and remains a powerful example of the partnership and collaboration that make real change possible.

Students involved with the Environmental Center launched one of the first-of-its-kind campus recycling programs in the country. Volunteers collected newspapers and aluminum cans from across campus, sorting materials in a donated trailer, which were transported in retired school buses for processing.

For more than 15 years, students sustained the effort without formal systems or facilities, driven purely by commitment and ingenuity.

In 1991, the program reached a turning point when a partnership formed between students and Facilities Management, allowing it to grow through shared infrastructure. With support from �Թ�� James Corbridge, the university opened its first on-campus recycling facility, the Intermediate Processing Facility, in 1992.

Since then, students have remained central to operations, sorting, upcycling and preparing recyclables for transport to diverse recycling markets.

“The recycling operation at CU Boulder is a collaboration and group effort built on student dedication, and that’s what makes it special,” says Chris Herr, director of the Environmental Center. “Our teams, comprised of both students and Facilities Management staff, continue to innovate and improve together, keeping us moving toward our critical waste diversion and reduction goals.”

The original recycling facility, located at Folsom Field, was demolished in 2014 to make room for the Champions Center. A new campus recycling facility, along with two new recycling trucks, became operational in 2015, marking the next phase of growth for the program.

Fifty years later, that student-led effort has grown into a nationally recognized collegiate recycling program, earning accolades and serving as a model for other institutions. CU Recycling now employs approximately 50 student staff members and engages around 100 volunteers each year. Over time, thousands of students have contributed to the program, advancing waste diversion efforts and supporting campus sustainability goals.

“Joining CU Recycling in 2015 was an incredible experience,” says Angie Gilbert, assistant director of zero waste programs at the Environmental Center. “Walking into a one-of-a-kind campus processing facility on your first day is a zero-waste dream. The sustainability atmosphere at CU is electric. People here are serious about recycling. The story of the program is deep-rooted and charming, with years of grit that validate its impact.”

Get involved in recycling efforts on campus

One of the most recent examples of student passion turning into action is the push to eliminate single-use plastics on campus. In response to strong student advocacy, a push from CU Recycling and with support from departments across campus, university leadership took a major step forward through a new pouring rights contract that eliminates single-use plastic beverage containers.

“Embedding sustainability into campus operations is a critical part of CU Boulder's leadership and ability to scale impact, and recycling has been at the heart of that work for decades,” says Andrew Mayock, vice chancellor for sustainability.

“Celebrating 50 years of student-led and campus-amplified recycling highlights how grassroots action can shape long-term systems, turning campus into a living testbed for solutions that reduce waste and inform broader sustainability efforts.”

CU Recycling exists because students chose to act. Today, campus recycling efforts are more impactful than ever, powered by a student-led and campus-amplified approach. Every hand-sorted bottle, can and box contribute to 50 years of impact—a milestone worth recognizing and celebrating.

CU Boulder is celebrating the anniversary of campus recycling—a program that has evolved with the times and remains a powerful example of the partnership and collaboration that make real change possible.

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5 things to know about the Carnegie Classifications

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:37:58 +0000

5 things to know about the Carnegie Classifications Megan M Rogers Mon, 05/04/2026 - 10:37

CU Boulder recently announced two new Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education, or Carnegie Classifications, in sustainability and community engagement, with another in the works for leadership for public purpose.

Here are five things you should know about those classifications.

What exactly are the Carnegie Classifications?

The Carnegie Classifications, offered as part of a partnership between the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education, are the nation’s leading framework for describing U.S. higher education institutions. There are three types:

Institutional Classification, which organizes colleges and universities into groups of similar campuses based on the types of degrees they award, field of study and size, i.e., associate, undergraduate and/or graduate-level institutions.
Student Access and Earnings Classification, which organizes colleges and universities into one of six classifications based on the types of students they enroll and how well former students are earning in the labor market as compared to their peers.
Research Activity Designations, which place institutions into one of three groups based on their research expenditures and research doctorates awarded (Research 1 or R1, Research 2 or R2, and Research Colleges and Universities or RCU). CU Boulder is an R1 institution.

There are also three elective classifications that institutions can apply for:

Community Engagement, which is a way for colleges and universities in the U.S. to gain recognition for institutionalizing community engagement.
Leadership for Public Purpose recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an institution-wide commitment to developing ethical leadership capacity in service of the public good through coordinated policies, practices and programs.
Sustainability, Carnegie’s newest classification, is an innovative initiative designed to recognize and celebrate higher education institutions that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and climate action as integral to their academic missions.

How prestigious is a Carnegie Classification?

Since 1973, the Carnegie Classification has been seen as the gold standard for organizing the U.S. higher education landscape and has played a key role in shaping higher education.

Prior to the classifications, the American higher education system looked very different, with only a few ways to sort institutions and no organization on the national level. The Carnegie Classification changed that, ushering in a new era of rankings for higher education institutions that are considered foundational in a variety of research and policy uses nationwide.

What does it mean for CU Boulder—what are the benefits to faculty, staff and students?

Recognition through the Carnegie Classifications is evidence that CU Boulder “has made real, documented commitments to excellence,” said David Meens, assistant vice chancellor for public and community-engaged scholarship.

“The application process itself provides an invaluable opportunity to bring people together across campus, and to engage the voices of our external partners,” Meens added. “What we learn from the process, including the formal feedback we receive from Carnegie, sets the baseline and establishes goals that we will need to address in future reclassifications.

“So while we can be proud of this well-deserved recognition of the innovative and excellent work of our faculty, staff and students, it also presents a call to action toward an even more impressive future: There is so much more that we can achieve together.”

CU Boulder serving as the operational home of the sustainability classification is particularly meaningful in that it means Carnegie recognizes the institution’s long-term excellence in this realm and the institution’s role as a leader in the sustainability and climate action space. As the host institution, CU Boulder will support program management, application review and the development of a nationwide community of practice around sustainability in higher education.

More information about the classification, and the application process, is available on CU Boulder’s sustainability website.

How does CU Boulder compare to other institutions who have achieved the community engagement classification?

CU Boulder is one of only 277 institutions nationwide to be recognized with the Carnegie Classification for community engagement. Of those, 63—or 23%—are comparable R1 public institutions, and 3—or 11%—are Association of American Universities (AAU) peer institutions. It is also the fourth institution in the state of Colorado to receive it.

How do the Carnegie Classifications tie into our institutional priorities?

These elective classifications recognize CU Boulder’s deep commitment to its public purpose of transforming lives in service of a just and sustainable world, tying either directly or indirectly into all four institutional priorities: aligning our resources and infrastructure to our mission, achieving global leadership in sustainability impact, scaling research and creative work excellence, and fostering the success of all students, faculty and staff.

CU Boulder recently announced two new Carnegie Classifications in sustainability and community engagement, with another in the works for leadership for public purpose.

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Advice from Sustainable Buffs on being a conscious consumer

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:11:42 +0000

Advice from Sustainable Buffs on being a conscious consumer Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/15/2026 - 14:11

Sustainability starts with making the most of what you already have. When you do need to buy something, there are ways to make choices that are better for the planet.

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Coping with climate anxiety

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:15:37 +0000

Coping with climate anxiety Megan M Rogers Tue, 04/14/2026 - 15:15

Climate anxiety describes emotional distress related to climate change. Learning ways to cope can help you process these feelings, avoid burnout and stay connected to everyday life—while still caring about the future. Here are some strategies to try.

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New campus sustainability framework unveiled at CU Boulder Climate Week event

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:50:45 +0000

New campus sustainability framework unveiled at CU Boulder Climate Week event Megan M Rogers Fri, 04/10/2026 - 14:50

The second annual Colorado Climate Week, which took place May 30–April 3, brought together leaders across the state to explore solutions, partnerships and bold ideas shaping the future of climate action and innovation. On April 1, CU Boulder hosted a full day of panels, presentations and discussions at the Limelight Hotel Boulder in partnership with event organizer Colorado Cleantech Industries Association.

A guiding framework for CU Boulder’s sustainability future

�Թ�� Justin Schwartz opened the day by introducing CU Boulder’s new sustainability strategic framework, an ambitious roadmap that connects education, research, operations and partnerships into a unified approach to sustainability leadership.

During his remarks, the chancellor noted, “Education, research, operations and partnerships are interconnected and reinforcing. That’s the vision CU Boulder is preparing to achieve. It is ambitious but grounded in the work already underway and in the people who make it possible.”

Both the event and the strategic framework build on CU Boulder’s ongoing momentum in the sustainability space and the university's efforts to expand its sustainability work in ways that benefit the campus community, Boulder and Colorado.

Vice �Թ�� for Sustainability Andrew Mayock said, “This event reflects CU Boulder’s deep commitment to advancing climate and sustainability solutions through collaboration. We were joined on the stage by top private, public and nonprofit leaders from across the state on the most pressing issues, including artificial intelligence, wildfire, climate-related economic impacts, community rights, climate tech innovation and more. We were grateful to be joined by hundreds of audience members, including Boulder residents, state and local officials, investors, students, faculty and the broader Colorado community.”

Moving the needle with conversation and partnership

The day featured a series of panels and discussions that explored the intersection of technology, policy and investment in climate solutions.

A standout moment was the session with Seth Levine, partner and co-founder of Foundry, who offered insights into how evolving models of capitalism are shaping climate innovation.

The day included separate policy discussions with Democratic candidates Attorney General Phil Weiser and Sen. Michael Bennet on their respective climate-related visions for the state going forward. Gov. Jared Polis and Congressman Joe Neguse closed out the day by highlighting the critical role of public leadership in accelerating climate action.

The day at the Limelight

The event concluded with a lively networking reception, where students, researchers, policymakers and industry leaders connected and continued conversations sparked throughout the day.

A statewide effort, a shared future

Now in its second year, Colorado Climate Week reflects the state’s growing reputation as a hub for climate innovation and partnership. CU Boulder’s leadership, and its newly launched sustainability framework, positions the university at the center of this momentum.

Through continued collaboration across disciplines and sectors, the discussions shared on April 1 signals not just talk but a commitment to action.

Colorado Climate Week brought together leaders across the state to explore solutions, partnerships and bold ideas shaping the future of climate action and innovation. CU Boulder hosted a full day of panels, presentations and discussions at the Limelight Hotel Boulder.

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Sustainability and social change from CU's founding to today

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:59:00 +0000

Sustainability and social change from CU's founding to today Megan M Rogers Thu, 04/09/2026 - 11:59

Check out highlights of environmental champions and moments of social change across 150 years. Explore early environmental programs, campus sustainability milestones, student activism and the many different ways leadership has taken shape on campus and beyond.

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CU Boulder convening university leaders to share sustainability, facilities strategies

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:28:01 +0000

CU Boulder convening university leaders to share sustainability, facilities strategies Megan M Rogers Wed, 04/08/2026 - 14:28

CU Boulder will host senior facilities and infrastructure leaders from universities across the United States and Canada April 9–10 for the West Region Higher Education Facilities Forum, a peer network focused on advancing campus infrastructure, capital planning and sustainability. The annual gathering will bring higher education facilities leaders together to exchange best practices, lessons learned and explore practical solutions.

As the 2026 host, CU Boulder will share updates on campus initiatives, including space optimization, sustainability and decarbonization efforts, facilities operations and capital construction, through presentations, campus tours and peer roundtable discussions.

“Bringing peer institutions together will create valuable opportunities to share lessons learned and accelerate progress on complex challenges like campus decarbonization and infrastructure modernization,” said Chris Ewing, vice chancellor for infrastructure and resilience. “These conversations will help universities develop practical strategies that strengthen facilities operations today while preparing campuses for the future.”

The forum’s peer-focused format will foster open exchange and relationship-building among institutions facing similar operational challenges. By convening the group, CU Boulder will support regional collaboration aimed at advancing more efficient, sustainable and forward-looking campuses.

Hosting the forum will reflect CU Boulder’s continued commitment to sharing knowledge, learning from peer institutions and advancing infrastructure solutions that benefit the campus community and higher education more broadly.

Senior facilities and infrastructure leaders will gather on campus to share strategies related to decarbonization, capital planning and campus operations.

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CU Boulder providing free upgrade to Transit Royale app

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:24:06 +0000

CU Boulder providing free upgrade to Transit Royale app Megan M Rogers Mon, 04/06/2026 - 12:24

CU Boulder students, faculty and staff now have access to Transit Royale, the premium version of the Transit app, at no cost through a partnership between Transportation Services and the Environmental Center (E-Center).

Transit is CU Boulder’s recommended mobile app for tracking Buff Buses and navigating transit options across Boulder and beyond. With this new agreement, the campus community receives a free upgrade to Transit Royale, unlocking additional features that make it easier to get around.

What is Transit?

The Transit app is a free mobile application that provides real-time information to help riders plan trips and track buses, as well as other local transportation options like RTD and BCycle. At CU Boulder, Transit is widely used to:

Track Buff Buses in real time
View live arrival times and route maps
Plan trips across campus and the Boulder area
Receive service alerts and updates

What does Transit Royale add?

Transit Royale is the premium version of the app, now available at no cost to the CU Boulder community. It unlocks additional tools, including:

Full regional transit access beyond the Buff Bus system
Unlimited schedules for future trip planning
Expanded trip planning with more route options
Personalized themes, icons and avatars
Optional leaderboards and achievements through Transit’s GO feature
Early access to new features as they are released

Supporting sustainable transportation

Providing free access to Transit Royale supports CU Boulder’s efforts to make transportation more accessible, reliable and sustainable. Real-time tracking and expanded trip-planning tools help reduce uncertainty and make it easier to choose transit.

How to get started

Download the Transit app from the App Store or Google Play, or update to the latest version. When opened on campus, the Transit Royale upgrade will be applied automatically—no payment or code required.

To learn more, visit the Transit App page.

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CU Boulder aligns with city drought guidance, emphasizes water stewardship across campus

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:16:25 +0000

CU Boulder aligns with city drought guidance, emphasizes water stewardship across campus Megan M Rogers Fri, 04/03/2026 - 06:16

The city of Boulder has entered a drought watch and is asking the community to take voluntary steps to reduce water use. As record hot and dry weather persists across the Front Range, CU Boulder supports these efforts to help preserve water this spring.

The campus is working diligently to conserve water where possible while also maintaining green spaces that provide important health, recreation and community benefits.

Where campus irrigation comes from

A vast majority of CU Boulder’s irrigation uses ditch water—non-potable, raw water—that is not part of the city of Boulder’s water supply. These water rights were granted to the university when the university was founded. While not subject to the city’s current drought guidance, the university is committed to using all water resources responsibly—applying water efficiently, minimizing waste and prioritizing long-term sustainability and stewardship of this state resource.

“Regardless of the source of our campus irrigation, we approach all water use with care, focusing on efficiency, minimizing waste and making decisions that reflect long-term sustainability and stewardship,” said Jonathan Akins, campus civil engineer with Planning, Design and Construction.

The university does have a limited area of campus where irrigation is supplied by the city, and is delaying the use of potable (treated drinking) water for irrigation of lawns and turf in those areas until May 1 in line with city recommendations.

Smart irrigation and water stewardship

CU Boulder has invested significantly in systems and practices that support efficient water use across campus, including:

Advanced irrigation controls that adjust watering based on weather conditions
Soil moisture monitoring to prevent overwatering
Nighttime irrigation schedules to reduce evaporation
Ongoing system checks to identify and fix leaks or inefficiencies

The Outdoor Services team at CU Boulder uses all of these tools to make informed decisions about when to irrigate areas of campus, and for how long.

“We evaluate these systems and the conditions on the ground daily, adjusting campus irrigation in real time,” said Ryan Heiland, assistant director of Outdoor Services. “The goal is to be as efficient as possible, using only the water that’s needed to maintain healthy landscapes that support accessibility and community use.”

Campus irrigation typically occurs between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. However, community members may still see sprinklers operating in some areas during daytime hours when Outdoor Services is able to conduct system maintenance, safety checks or to ensure irrigation systems are functioning efficiently and not wasting water.

CU Boulder will continue to monitor conditions and coordinate with city partners as drought conditions evolve—working to conserve water while maintaining a safe, sustainable and vibrant campus environment.

What you can do

While there are currently no mandatory restrictions, early action can help avoid the need for stricter water use measures. CU Boulder encourages students, faculty and staff to support water conservation efforts by:

Prioritizing water for trees and essential plants
Using water efficiently indoors and fixing leaks
Being mindful of everyday water use

Find more tips on the city of Boulder’s water conservation webpage

The university supports voluntary conservation measures while continuing responsible water management across campus.

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Sustainability

BOLDERBoulder to eliminate plastic water bottles at Folsom Field finish line

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CU Recycling celebrates 50 years of impact

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5 things to know about the Carnegie Classifications

What exactly are the Carnegie Classifications?

How prestigious is a Carnegie Classification?

What does it mean for CU Boulder—what are the benefits to faculty, staff and students?

How does CU Boulder compare to other institutions who have achieved the community engagement classification?

How do the Carnegie Classifications tie into our institutional priorities?

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