Sustainability
Five finalist teams won a total of $21,000 in awards at the Colorado Sustainability Challenge finals. Students, faculty and staff at seven Colorado Front Range colleges and universities vied for a chance to make their mark on Colorado's growing innovation ecosystem.
CU Boulder has been recognized as one of the nation's most environmentally responsible universities in The Princeton Review's 2026 Guide to Green Colleges, earning a standout Green Rating with 98 points out of 99 possible.
Boasting a second location for the CU Book Store, a gold standard in sustainable design and more, the Limelight Hotel is the newest addition on campus. Learn more.
CU Boulder's sustainability momentum continues to grow with a new commitment from the Walton Family Foundation to support programs that address Western water issues through The Water Desk and Western Water Policy Program.
Multiple CU Boulder sustainability leaders helped raise the visibility of campus efforts during New York City Climate Week in September, including a keynote address, climate comedy and more.
What to do with failed 3D prints? A student team's idea and new initiative transforms plastic waste from 3D printing into reusable materials, reducing landfill impacts and championing student innovation.
The Sustainability Council welcomed new members, reviewed campuswide sustainability initiatives, refined its priorities for 2025–26 and announced a November listening session to engage the community in shaping future actions.
The Limelight Hotel Boulder, which officially opened on Aug. 20 on CU Boulder's campus, includes a number of sustainable design features. As Boulder's largest meeting and event space, it aims to foster community collaboration while advancing climate-conscious practices in hospitality.
Max Boykoff will be the inaugural faculty executive director of the Buckley Center for Sustainability Education, and Josh Radoff will work with the Office of Infrastructure and Resilience to lead the implementation of the campus Climate Action Plan.
CU Boulder's Marine Street Express route will transition to a flexible, ADA-accessible on-demand service this fall, offering riders app-based access to key campus locations and marking a major step forward in sustainable, user-centered transit.