Published: Feb. 4, 2020

Do you have an idea for making our campus more sustainable? Do you want to make positive change in our campus community? Be a part of the President’s Sustainable Solutions Challenge (PSSC)!

The PSSC will be a two-part event this spring. In the first round of the challenge, students (as individuals or teams) at each CU campus can pitch their sustainable ideas for a chance to win $1,000. The top two individuals/teams from each campus will advance to compete for the grand prize of $2,000. This will be awarded at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22.

CU President’s Office promotes sustainability challenges in 2020

The CU Office of the President has provided funding to encourage the development of sustainability innovations by CU students for their campuses and communities in spring 2020. Two competition series will reward students for their sustainability innovations: the Sustainable Solutions Challenge, and the addition of a sustainability special prize to CU Boulder’s New Venture Challenge entrepreneurial accelerator.

Learn more

Registration is now open to participate in the PSSC. Here’s what you need to know:

About the challenge

Students (as individuals or teams) are invited to share their ideas for making our community more sustainable by creating short-pitch presentations. These pitches should address environmental quality, natural resource use and social justice with economic longevity at CU Boulder or through the CU system.

Qualifying individuals or teams will present their ideas to a panel of judges in both rounds. They will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Anticipated impact
  • Innovation in addressing a sustainability issue
  • The feasibility of the idea

The winning individuals or teams will be awarded prize money. All proposals will be considered for potential implementation.

Why you should participate

By participating in the PSSC, you can:

  • Potentially win up to $3,000 between the two rounds of the competition
  • See your idea come to life if it’s chosen for implementation
  • Gain valuable experience for your resume
  • Network with fellow Buffs and experts in sustainability
  • Learn more about local and global sustainability

How to participate

  • Register before March 9. Even if you don’t have a fully formed idea, you can still register.
  • Attend the optional info session on Tuesday, Feb. 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the University Memorial Center's Aspen Rooms to learn more about the challenge.

Also, as noted in the original PSSC announcement, the New Venture Challenge includes a special sustainability prize for sustainability-focused innovations. For more information, visit the Environmental Center website.