Pushing Boundaries

Looking back on �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder research that changed the world

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 20:54:27 +0000

Looking back on �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder research that changed the world Megan M Rogers Tue, 10/13/2026 - 14:54

Explore research and creative achievements at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder—from Nobel Prize-winning work and space science breakthroughs to the rise of climate and earth sciences and the principle of "firsts, not lasts."

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Discover �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's Nobel Prize legacy

Chloe Fischer — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 19:24:24 +0000

Discover �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's Nobel Prize legacy Chloe Fischer Wed, 10/07/2026 - 13:24

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder boasts five Nobel laureates, four in physics and one in chemistry. Perhaps the world's premier honor for intellectuals, and certainly the best known, the Nobel Prize celebrates individuals who have "conferred the greatest benefit to humankind" through their work.

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�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder research in motion: 150 years of impact

Chloe Fischer — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 19:54:23 +0000

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder research in motion: 150 years of impact Chloe Fischer Fri, 10/02/2026 - 13:54

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder embraces an interdisciplinary research philosophy that has led to groundbreaking science discoveries that continually change our understanding of the world. Look back at some of the university's biggest breakthroughs.

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5 things to know about sustainability at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 13:02:13 +0000

5 things to know about sustainability at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Megan M Rogers Fri, 10/02/2026 - 07:02

Sustainability at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder is integrated into every aspect of our campus. From world-class climate science research and education to campus operations and partnerships with the broader community and state, sustainability is not only a campus priority but an integral and interdisciplinary part of day-to-day life as a Buff.

As Colorado—and the globe—face increasingly complex environmental challenges, �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder continues to invest in preparing the next generation of leaders and developing practical solutions for a sustainable future. Here are five things to know about sustainability at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder.

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder has a long history of prioritizing sustainability.

Sustainability has deep roots at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder. In 1951, the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) became the first research center founded at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder, establishing a legacy of environmental research that continues today. Nearly two decades later, in 1970, students founded the Environmental Center, now one of the nation’s oldest and largest student-run sustainability organizations.

Since then, sustainability has grown into an institution-wide priority. It is an integral part of the university's mission, shaping everything from academic programs and world-class research to campus operations and community partnerships. In 2025, �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder established the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Sustainability to bring together these efforts, and Chancellor Justin Schwartz has identified sustainability as one of the university's strategic priorities.

A student sorts through recycled materials in the Recycling Center in 2016

Sustainability is part of the student experience.

No matter what your chosen major, every student on campus has the opportunity to engage with sustainability at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder. With more than 350 sustainability-related course offerings across schools and colleges, spanning subjects from engineering and business to the arts and humanities, there are numerous ways to graduate with a better understanding of how to live, spend, and grow sustainably.

The SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education, launched in 2025 with a $10 million gift from alum Spike Buckley, is helping expand sustainability curriculum, support faculty and create new learning opportunities so every student graduates with the knowledge and skills to help build a more sustainable future.

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder research is helping solve the most pressing global challenges of our time.

From climate science and geothermal energy to water resources and environmental justice, �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder researchers are tackling some of the world's most pressing challenges. The university is home to 12 sustainability-focused institutes, including CIRES, INSTAAR and RASEI, along with more than 75 research centers advancing work across sustainability-related fields.

Through the Sustainability Research Initiative, faculty are building interdisciplinary partnerships that accelerate research and translate discoveries into real-world solutions. That work continues to earn global recognition, with �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder recently ranking eighth in the world for climate science research in Carbon Brief's latest analysis of the world's most highly cited climate research institutions.

Campus is a living lab for sustainability.

Sustainability is also reflected in how the university operates. �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder uses its campus as a living lab to pilot and demonstrate sustainable solutions, giving students opportunities to see innovation in action. From the electric Buff Bus fleet to campuswide recycling and composting programs and the renovation of Hellems—which is projected to reduce the building's energy use by nearly 68% while preserving one of campus's most iconic academic spaces—operational initiatives help reduce environmental impacts while creating hands-on learning opportunities that support the university's Climate Action Plan goals.

Sustainability extends beyond campus.

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder partners with communities across Colorado to help address sustainability challenges beyond campus boundaries. Faculty, students and staff work alongside state agencies, the city of Boulder, nonprofits and industry partners to advance practical solutions that strengthen communities. One recent example is the university's partnership with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) to support communities transitioning away from coal, helping connect research expertise with local needs and economic opportunity.

Sustainability goes beyond one office or one program at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder. It is part of how the university educates students, conducts research, operates its campus and serves communities across Colorado and beyond. Whether you're new to campus or returning for another year, there are many ways to get involved—as a student, faculty, or staff member—and help shape a more sustainable future today.

From world-class research to student learning and campus operations, discover how sustainability is shaping life at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder and creating impact across Colorado and beyond.

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Aeroponic garden in �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's Village Center Dining and Community Commons—the first in the nation to provide students, staff and faculty with fresh salad greens grown on site in a high-tech greenhouse attached to a dining hall.

Biomedical engineering student helps build artificial blood vessels that can heal

Chloe Fischer — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 19:07:16 +0000

Biomedical engineering student helps build artificial blood vessels that can heal Chloe Fischer Tue, 09/15/2026 - 13:07

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Undergraduate student Anagha Varada spent her summer helping Associate Professor Wei Tan develop a new, multilayered vascular graft that mimics the structure of natural blood vessels.

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Students turn industry challenge into AI startup 'built by engineers, for engineers'

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 17:35:13 +0000

Students turn industry challenge into AI startup 'built by engineers, for engineers' Megan M Rogers Fri, 09/04/2026 - 11:35

Sami Yohannes and Caleb Woldemichael developed a tool that automates complex workflows for engineering and construction firms while investing in the next generation of STEM leaders.

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The local, national and global impact of �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder over the decades

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:13:35 +0000

The local, national and global impact of �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder over the decades Megan M Rogers Thu, 08/06/2026 - 07:13

In honor of the university's 150th anniversary, discover stories about �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder's global reach and lasting impact, from international partnerships to statewide outreach.

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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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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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What does it take to make a hit podcast about science?

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:56:30 +0000

What does it take to make a hit podcast about science? Megan M Rogers Thu, 03/19/2026 - 11:56

INSTAAR

At the end of last year, Scott Taylor launched a new podcast called "Okay, But… Birds." The ornithology-focused podcast has already attracted thousands of followers and the attention of a national radio program.

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