Campus
Campus & Operations
50%
Emissions Reduction Target by 2030
Zero Emissions
Carbon Neutrality Goal by 2050
30+
Leed Platinum & Gold Buildings
50%
Waste Diverted From Landfill
1st
NCAA Division I Sustainable Athletics Program
Our Commitment
A Campus Powered by Purpose
CU Boulder is making serious, measurable progress on campus sustainability — deploying clean energy technologies, electrifying its vehicle fleet, implementing water-efficient systems, diverting waste from landfill, and embedding environmental responsibility into every purchasing decision.
Our operations are guided by the updated Climate Action Plan, a roadmap to cut emissions 50% by 2030 and reach zero emissions by 2050. Progress is tracked, reported, and publicly available through SIMAP, STARS, and CU's sustainability dashboard.
Campus Operations
CU Boulder's updated Climate Action Plan targets a 50% emissions reduction by 2030 and zero emissions by 2050, guided by science, equity, and campus-wide collaboration.
Campus energy strategy combines efficiency upgrades, renewable electricity procurement, solar generation, and a long-term transition from steam to a modern hot-water heating system.
CU Boulder leads in sustainable transportation with one of the nation's top campus bus pass programs, robust bike infrastructure, EV charging, and incentives for alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles.
Water-efficient landscaping, building retrofits, and smart irrigation systems have reduced campus water consumption by more than 30% since 2007, even as enrollment has grown.
Through zero-waste events, composting, a campus surplus store, and the nation's first student-led collegiate recycling program, CU Boulder diverts 50% of its waste from landfill.
With 30 LEED Platinum and Gold certified buildings, living roofs, pollinator habitats, and smart building technology, CU Boulder uses its physical campus as a living laboratory for sustainability.
Campus dining programs prioritize local and sustainable sourcing, food waste reduction, and composting partnerships. CU Boulder earned a #1 ranking for plant-based dining and sustainability.
CU Boulder's sustainable procurement policies embed environmental and social criteria into purchasing decisions campus-wide — from office supplies and lab equipment to construction materials and services.
As the NCAA's first Division I Sustainable Athletics Program, CU Boulder leads collegiate sports sustainability through Ralphie's Green Stampede — achieving zero-waste game days, LEED Platinum venues, and net-zero facilities.
Living Laboratory
The Campus Is the Classroom
CU Boulder deliberately uses its own facilities, utilities, and land as a real-world testing ground for sustainability innovation. Students, faculty, and staff collaborate with Facilities Management to pilot new technologies, monitor outcomes, and publish results.
From rooftop solar installations measured for performance to building retrofits studied for energy savings and occupant behavior, the campus-as-lab model accelerates both learning and impact.
30+
Leed Platinum & Gold Certified Buildings
8.5MW
Solar Capacity on Campus & Through PPAS
30%
Water Use Reduction Since 2007