Sustainability

Meet the Environmental Board: How students are helping shape a more sustainable �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 18:25:53 +0000

Meet the Environmental Board: How students are helping shape a more sustainable �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Megan M Rogers Mon, 08/24/2026 - 12:25

From funding innovative sustainability projects to connecting students with campus leaders, the �鶹��Ѱ��Student Government (CUSG) Environmental Board plays an important role in advancing sustainability across �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder. Board co-chairs Jules Immonen and Piper Rausch discuss what the student-led board does, how it supports the campus community and why they're inviting more Buffs to get involved this fall.

What is the Environmental Board?

The Environmental Board is a student-led joint board within CUSG dedicated to supporting sustainability initiatives across campus. The board oversees funding for the Environmental Center, which was founded by students in 1970 as the nation’s first student-led environmental center and has since grown into one of the largest and longest-standing centers of its kind. The board also awards Sustainable �鶹��Ѱ��Grants that help bring new sustainability ideas to life.

While the board works closely with campus partners, students lead the decision-making process, giving them a direct voice in shaping sustainability efforts at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder.

What does the board do?

One of the board's biggest responsibilities is managing the Sustainable �鶹��Ѱ��Grant program, which provides funding for projects led by students, faculty and staff. Applicants submit proposals each fall and spring, present their ideas to the board and participate in a multiple round review process.

This past academic year, the board awarded nearly $100,000 to projects across campus, including reusable takeout container pilots, reusable lab coat programs, and new and improved campus waste and recycling signage.

Beyond grant funding, board members collaborate with sustainability teams across campus, helping connect students with university leaders to advance ideas with lasting campuswide impact.

How does the board fit into �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's larger sustainability efforts?

According to Immonen and Rausch, the Environmental Board helps bridge student ideas with university action.

How to get involved

The Environmental Board is looking for new members this fall, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Meetings will be held Wednesdays from 6 to 7:15 p.m. throughout the semester and can be attended in person or via Zoom. To receive meeting information and join the Environmental Board mailing list, email eboard@colorado.edu.

Students from engineering and environmental studies to business, music and beyond bring their own interests and perspectives to the table. Whether someone is passionate about green chemistry, waste reduction or sustainable business practices, the board helps connect those ideas with the people and resources needed to move them forward.

The board also regularly collaborates with campus partners, including the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Sustainability, the SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education and others across campus to increase student involvement and collaboration on sustainability efforts.

Who can participate?

Anyone interested in sustainability is welcome to attend meetings and get involved.

The board currently has seven voting members, several open board positions and additional opportunities to participate through committees and project teams. Students who attend meetings can begin contributing right away, even before becoming voting members.

"We want sustainability to be something everyone feels connected to," said Piper. "No matter what you're studying, there's a place for your ideas."

What is the board's vision for sustainability at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder?

For Immonen and Rausch, the goal is making sustainability a natural part of the �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder experience.

They envision a campus where sustainability is visible in everyday life, where students from every discipline see themselves as part of the solution and where innovative ideas can grow into lasting change. They also hope the board continues to connect students with leadership, real-world projects and future careers in sustainability.

The �鶹��Ѱ��Student Government Environmental Board funds sustainability projects, connects students with campus partners and provides opportunities for Buffs from across the university to help shape a more sustainable campus.

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�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's Masters of the Environment capstone recognized for innovation in sustainability education

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:39:39 +0000

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's Masters of the Environment capstone recognized for innovation in sustainability education Megan M Rogers Thu, 08/20/2026 - 08:39

Alice Reznickova, Masters of the Environment capstone lead and associate teaching professor, speaks during the National Sustainability Society conference awards ceremony. To the right of the podium are Natalie Ooi, MENV director and teaching professor; Laura George, MENV career and professional development program manager; and Myles Maland, director of department administration in the Department of Environmental Studies.

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's Masters of the Environment (MENV) capstone program has been named a recipient of the Innovations in Sustainability Education Award by the National Sustainability Society at their third annual conference. The national award recognizes outstanding innovations in degree programs that prepare and empower learners to be agents of transformative change through inclusive, systems-oriented and interdisciplinary learning opportunities.

This year's conference theme—courage, credibility and collective action—reflects values that sit at the core of what the MENV capstone program instills in all students.

“We are so proud of receiving this award. It celebrates the impact of our team, our students and our partner organizations over the last decade. That impact is a product of investment. When you commit real resources and time into students and into reciprocal partnerships, you get work that matters, for our community and for the partners we serve,” capstone lead Alice Reznickova shared.

The recognition affirms the capstone program as a leading model of sustainability work. The MENV capstone places all graduate students in direct partnership with external organizations to tackle real sustainability and climate challenges. Since its inception, MENV students have completed nearly 250 projects, and with each one, the program's network of partners, alumni and real-world impact continues to grow.

Just this past year, 78 students invested more than 46,800 hours across 26 projects with nonprofits, municipalities, private companies and state agencies, producing deliverables that informed policy, advanced organizational strategy and created measurable outcomes for communities across Colorado and beyond. By functioning as graduate-level consultants rather than traditional interns, MENV students bring prior professional experience and sustainability expertise to every project.

The capstone program's approach is rooted in the belief that meaningful progress on sustainability requires more than technical expertise—it requires the courage to engage in complex, real-world problems; the credibility that comes from rigorous, applied work; and the ability to collaborate across sectors and communities.

Read the 2025 MENV Capstone Impact Report (PDF)

Under the guidance of their faculty advisor and capstone partner, students have a real impact on their communities and leave equipped to contribute to the kind of collective action the sustainability field demands. What further distinguishes the program is how intentionally it weaves career development into the capstone experience, so that applied project work and professional growth advance hand in hand.

“Partnering with Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) has given me exactly the combination of experiences I hoped to get out of MENV: deep learning, strong professional connections and the chance to see my work create tangible impact. As I look toward full-time opportunities after graduation, this experience has become a genuine stepping stone and proof of what I can contribute in professional settings,” Norman Kalen, a second-year MENV student, shared.

As MENV enters its 10th year, this national recognition affirms the program's role as a global model for how professional graduate education can drive lasting, meaningful change.

The National Sustainability Society has honored the graduate capstone program with its Innovations in Sustainability Education Award, recognizing a decade of student-led projects that pair real-world impact with professional growth.

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Reusable takeout containers are coming to campus dining

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 14:17:16 +0000

Reusable takeout containers are coming to campus dining Megan M Rogers Thu, 08/06/2026 - 08:17

Beginning Aug. 10 at SEEC Café and Aug. 16 at Alferd Packer Grill, reusable containers will replace disposable takeout containers. Download the USEFULL app and learn more before ordering takeout.

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Inside �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's nationally recognized recycling program

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:23:13 +0000

Inside �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's nationally recognized recycling program Megan M Rogers Thu, 07/30/2026 - 06:23

Editor's note: This article was originally published May 6, 2026.

In 1976, long before the �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Surplus Store, the Climate Action Plan or the SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education, a small group of passionate �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder students ran a DIY recycling operation out of two decommissioned military trailers. Now, 50 years later, �鶹��Ѱ��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 Chancellor 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 �鶹��Ѱ��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. �鶹��Ѱ��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 �鶹��Ѱ��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 �鶹��Ѱ��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 �鶹��Ѱ��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 �鶹��Ѱ��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.”

�鶹��Ѱ��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.

Since 1976, the student-led recycling program has served as a model for universities across the country. In honor of �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's 150th anniversary and �鶹��Ѱ��Recycling's 50th anniversary, hear from Environmental Center employees about the history and impact of this important program.

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New report showcases �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's ongoing commitment to sustainability

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 19:11:07 +0000

New report showcases �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's ongoing commitment to sustainability Megan M Rogers Thu, 07/16/2026 - 13:11

The 2025 University of Colorado Sustainability Report (PDF) was published in June 2026 and showcases advances in climate action across the entire University of Colorado system, including the Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver and Anschutz campuses.

The report highlights the momentum here at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder to integrate sustainability across education, operations, research and community engagement while advancing toward a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

"At �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder, sustainability is fundamental to our mission of educating tomorrow's leaders, advancing groundbreaking research and serving Colorado," said Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock. "This report demonstrates that meaningful climate action isn't accomplished through a single initiative but through sustained investments, collaboration and innovation across every part of our campus."

The report highlights several key sustainability milestones from 2025, including:

Launching the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Sustainability and welcoming Andrew Mayock as the university's inaugural vice chancellor for sustainability.
Establishing the SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education (formerly the Buckley Center), a $10 million initiative funded by alum Spike Buckley to expand sustainability education through faculty fellowships, student scholarships and curriculum development.
Becoming the administrative and operational home of the new Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability, a noteworthy award from the Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education that recognizes critical investments and approaches to sustainability across higher education institutions.
Releasing an updated Climate Action Plan in 2024 that sets ambitious goals to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, reduce feasible Scope 3 emissions by 50% and achieve zero emissions no later than 2050.
Launching the Sustainability Research Initiative to accelerate interdisciplinary research and partnerships that translate innovation into practical climate solutions.
Continuing modernization of district energy plants, geothermal feasibility studies and the addition of a 1.1-megawatt East Campus solar array and a 5-megawatt off-site solar installation beginning in 2026.
Expanding campus sustainability initiatives through the Buff Surplus Store, Green Labs, electric buses and EV charging, elimination of single-use beverage plastics, composting and zero-waste athletics.

"�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder is proud to be part of a university system that prioritizes sustainability across all of its campuses," said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. "This report reflects how we are advancing that commitment through the research we lead, the students we prepare to make a difference, the investments we are making across our campus and the partnerships that turn knowledge into impact for Colorado and beyond.”

The 2025 sustainability report demonstrates that sustainability at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder extends well beyond campus operations. Through investments in infrastructure, education, research and partnerships, the university is continuing to advance solutions that benefit both the campus community and the state of Colorado while building toward a carbon-neutral future.

Learn more about �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder’s goals and vision for sustainability implementation.

The 2025 University of Colorado Sustainability Report highlights �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's progress in advancing sustainability through education, research, campus operations and community engagement.

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Sustainability-focused capstones leave impact on Boulder and beyond

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 19:59:52 +0000

Sustainability-focused capstones leave impact on Boulder and beyond Megan M Rogers Wed, 06/24/2026 - 13:59

Cass Mendoza

For more than a decade, �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder’s Masters of the Environment (MENV) program has connected graduate students with sustainability projects that local communities often lack the time, capacity or resources to tackle on their own. Last year, MENV students left their mark on Boulder’s schools, landscapes, food systems and entertainment scene.

Implementing a decarbonization plan for Boulder Valley School District

In 2024, MENV students Ryan Brown, Andrew Neely and Sarah Nick worked with Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) to create their first district-wide decarbonization plan, which would result in the entire district’s electrification and decarbonization by 2050.

All three students, who were specializing in urban resilience and sustainability, added a secondary specialization in renewable and sustainable energy to benefit their understanding and experience in this role. The team's dedication and hard work did not go unappreciated by their BVSD partner, Sustainability and Energy Officer Ghita Carroll:

“It has been so exciting to see the many MENV graduates filter into sustainability roles across this community. Their real-world experience plus knowledge base brings a level of expertise that makes them stand out among other candidates. At BVSD, we were thrilled to work with a team of outstanding MENV students to create our first decarbonization plan.

“When the opportunity arose with an open position, we were thrilled once again to select an MENV graduate, Sarah Nick, to fill that role. She has been an outstanding addition to our team. We both enjoy crossing paths with other MENV graduate students in our day-to-day work.”

Since entering the role of sustainability and energy analyst, Nick has been able to embed the decarbonization plan she created with her team into BVSD's full climate action plan.

Assessing the local market for regionally native plants

Throughout 2025, students Erin Bucchin, Ilanna Gipple and Jesse Stahl worked directly with landscape designers, installers and industry experts to assess the viability of a wholesale market for regionally native plants in Boulder County. They found demand remains limited, in part because current restrictions on non-functional turf do not apply to residential properties, giving many homeowners little incentive to replace traditional lawns with native landscaping.

The students describe their work as part of a broader movement toward more water-conscious landscaping. With many of the landscape designers, installers and suppliers feeling similarly, students believe their report has the potential to organize a coalition or network to share resources.

Bucchin and Stahl presented their findings at the Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants Conference in February 2026, continuing to promote their hard work and expand its reach.

Connecting the community to local foods

MENV students specializing in sustainable food systems, Sam Cochrane and Alexandra Rodriguez , have been working with the Boulder County Farmers Markets (BCFM) to help strengthen their food hub.

BCFM’s food hub sells fresh produce, meats and provisions that originate in the county at prices set directly by farmers. It connects ranchers and producers to shoppers and institutions. The student team met with many institutions around the county, including schools, hospitals and assisted living facilities to help them connect to local foods.

Rodriguez and Cochrane also built a vendor resource guide to help educate farmers market vendors on the food hub and an institutional partner development toolkit to educate institutions on the importance of sourcing locally.

Much was achieved in this 2025 capstone project, but the students believe there is still room for growth—hinting that a future partnership with MENV could further elevate BCFM’s food hub.

Advancing sustainability at Boulder’s historic theaters

Nick Cordova, Haylee Grace, Mikey Jacobs and Lydia McElderry's 2025 capstone project provided a holistic perspective on sustainability for Boulder Theater and Fox Theater, historic sites managed by Z2 Entertainment.

The team completed one water audit, three waste audits and a greenhouse gas inventory at the theaters. They also surveyed more than 250 theatergoers about sustainability initiatives they would like to see at the venues.

By the end of their project, the student team had developed a five-year sustainability action plan for Z2 Entertainment and helped secure a grant for a heat pump to improve energy efficiency. They also created a toolkit for other venues interested in integrating more sustainability into their practices.

About MENV

The Masters of the Environment program is a two-year professional master's program. With specializations available in environmental and natural resource policy, sustainable food systems, sustainability in the outdoor industry, renewable and sustainable energy, and urban resilience and sustainability, the program offers a holistic approach to studying sustainability and the environment.

Between their first and second year, MENV students are partnered with professional organizations to tackle sustainability-focused capstone projects. The impact of past projects is still visible around Boulder, across Colorado and even around the world—evidence of what another decade of MENV students can accomplish as they help communities tackle complex sustainability challenges.

For more than a decade, �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's Masters of the Environment program has connected graduate students with sustainability projects that local communities often lack the time, capacity or resources to tackle on their own.

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East Campus solar array begins delivering electricity

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 27 May 2026 15:15:57 +0000

East Campus solar array begins delivering electricity Megan M Rogers Wed, 05/27/2026 - 09:15

The 1.1-megawatt (MW) ground-mounted solar array, located on a two-acre site east of Lot 560 on East Campus, is now operational. The project was approved by the Board of Regents in June 2024 and broke ground last April.

The array is expected to generate about 1.4 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each year—offsetting roughly 1% of �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder’s total electricity use and saving an estimated $120,000 annually in energy costs.

“This project is another example of how �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder continues to put campus climate action into practice through investments in our infrastructure,” said Chris Ewing, vice chancellor for infrastructure and resilience. “Through our ongoing campus sustainability efforts, we’re aligning investments toward meeting our climate action goals with delivering resilient infrastructure that will serve the campus for decades to come.”

The project, delivered in partnership with contractor McKinstry, supports �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve a linear reduction to zero emissions by 2050.

With the addition of the East Campus array, �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder now has about 3.5 megawatts of solar capacity across campus, generating enough electricity to power the �鶹��Ѱ��Events Center and Folsom Field combined. The new system is the university’s second ground-mounted array and complements 10 rooftop solar installations already in place.

This summer, �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder will add another major installation when a 5-megawatt project being developed in Weld County through a partnership with Pivot Energy is completed.

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's newest solar installation, a 1.1-megawatt array just north of Boulder Creek on East Campus, is officially up and running and helping advance the university's Climate Action Plan goals.

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Simple actions to reduce Boulder Creek contamination

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 20 May 2026 13:57:17 +0000

Simple actions to reduce Boulder Creek contamination Megan M Rogers Wed, 05/20/2026 - 07:57

At �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder, we are fortunate to have beautiful waterways, including Boulder Creek, integrated into our campus ecosystem. Keeping these waterways healthy requires our collective effort.

Boulder Creek is considered an impaired waterway by the state of Colorado due to excess amounts of Escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli). While Boulder Creek is not currently considered impaired by nutrient pollution, raising awareness about nutrients is key to help prevent future impairment.

Nutrient pollution: What is it and why should we care?

Nutrient pollution occurs when excess compounds of nitrogen and phosphorus enter our waterways, often from sources like fertilizers, pet waste and improper disposal of organic material. These nutrients can be washed off lawns and gardens during rainfall or irrigation, flowing directly into storm drains and, ultimately, into our stormwater systems.

Once in the water, they can cause algal blooms, which deplete oxygen levels, harm aquatic life and degrade water quality.

How you can help reduce nutrient pollution

Fertilizer use: Avoid over-fertilizing lawns and gardens, and never apply fertilizers near storm drains.
Organic waste: Properly dispose of lawn clippings, leaves and other organic material instead of letting them wash into storm drains.
Pet waste: Always clean up after your pets. Pet waste contributes to both bacteria and nutrients that pollute stormwater.

E. coli contamination in Boulder Creek

In addition to nutrient pollution, E. coli, a common bacterium from multiple sources, also impacts Boulder Creek. Urbanization reduces the number of porous surfaces and increases contamination sources that wash into the storm sewer, promoting bacterial growth. The university actively monitors and mitigates against E. coli contamination of the creek from campus stormwater discharges.

Steps you can take to reduce E. coli loading

Pet waste: Clean up after your pets and dispose of waste properly. Boulder ordinance requires immediate cleanup.
Trash disposal: Place all garbage in waste containers, and avoid feeding wildlife, which can increase waste in waterways.
Report issues: If you see illegal dumping or clogged storm sewer inlets on campus, contact Facilities Management at 303-492-5522.

A collective effort

As a large, eco-conscious community at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder, we have a great opportunity to work together to protect our stormwater resources and embody the university’s sustainability values. By adopting simple habits like cleaning up after pets, properly disposing of waste, and being mindful of fertilizer use, each of us can make a positive impact.

No matter how small your actions may seem, they can make a big difference in preserving the health of Boulder Creek and other local waterways. Together, we can change the way we look at water quality and ensure a cleaner, safer environment for everyone.

For more information, visit the Environmental Health & Safety stormwater guidelines webpage or contact 303-492-6025 or ehs@colorado.edu.

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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 �鶹��Ѱ��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 �鶹��Ѱ��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 �鶹��Ѱ��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.

“�鶹��Ѱ��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 �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz.

“This initiative reflects how we approach sustainability at �鶹��Ѱ��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.

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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

�鶹��Ѱ��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). �鶹��Ѱ��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 �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder—what are the benefits to faculty, staff and students?

Recognition through the Carnegie Classifications is evidence that �鶹��Ѱ��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.”

�鶹��Ѱ��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, �鶹��Ѱ��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 �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder’s sustainability website.

How does �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder compare to other institutions who have achieved the community engagement classification?

�鶹��Ѱ��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 �鶹��Ѱ��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.

�鶹��Ѱ��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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Sustainability

Meet the Environmental Board: How students are helping shape a more sustainable �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder

What is the Environmental Board?

What does the board do?

How does the board fit into �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder's larger sustainability efforts?

Who can participate?

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Implementing a decarbonization plan for Boulder Valley School District

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About MENV

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A collective effort

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BOLDERBoulder to eliminate plastic water bottles at Folsom Field finish line

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