Secure your spot in the Colorado Sustainability Challenge Sept. 28-Oct. 12

Register Today for the statewide 2025 Colorado Sustainability Challenge (CSC), a two-week hybrid event designed for anyone passionate about solving problems, teaming up on an idea and having fun in the process of building a solution to impact sustainability. Participants come from all academic disciplines—ranging from the Humanities to STEM—and have a shot at winning a share of $17,000!

Hosted by CU Boulder’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative, Leeds School of Business and the Environmental Center, CSC is open to all students, faculty and staff at Colorado Front Range colleges and universities. CSC events take place both at CU Boulder and at participating affiliate schools. 

Innovation is for EVERYONE!

Sustainability problems can be solved with —or without— technology, and you can jump in solo or bring your friends and form a team. Whether you have an idea or are eager to help a team develop a solution, this is an event you won't want to skip! If this is your first time, you'll have plenty of support as you learn how to build out a great idea, have the opportunity to work with mentors and practice pitching ideas.

Andrew Mayock, CU Boulder's vice chancellor for sustainability 

Don’t miss the Kickoff on Sunday, Sept. 28

CSC kicks off from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28 in the  University Memorial Center (UMC), Glen Miller Ballroom, where attendees learn about challenge specifics and bounty prize opportunities, form teams and begin brainstorming creative solutions. This hybrid event is based at CU Boulder with remote participation by affiliate schools.

The Kickoff features opening remarks by Andrew Mayock, CU Boulder vice chancellor for sustainability.

“The state of Colorado is a leader on multiple sustainability fronts, in particular when it comes to the creation of sustainability startups,” Mayock said. “That is due in no small part to the innovative students and researchers on college campuses across the state who continue to create solutions to some of our most pressing issues and activate those solutions through commercialization. I am thrilled to be part of this year’s Colorado Sustainability Challenge and see what exciting new ventures may come next.”

Turn bold ideas into real-world impact with CSC (event timeline: Sept. 28-Oct. 12)

For two weeks, participants work alongside experienced mentors and attend workshops, meetings and pitch practice sessions in advance of submitting video pitches to the judging panel. Team solutions are judged by a panel of industry and academic leaders on multiple criteria including creativity, execution, design thinking, feasibility and scalability. CSC events are held both in person and virtually in locations across the CU Boulder campus and Colorado Front Range colleges and universities.

Celebrate success at the CSC Finals on Oct. 12

CSC culminates on Sunday, Oct. 12, with the CSC Finals live at CU Boulder from 6-8 p.m. in the University Memorial Center (UMC), Glen Miller Ballroom. Join us for a celebration featuring opening remarks by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and see top teams pitching live to judges and the audience for a chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes! Learn More