UCCS Achieves Gold!
With nearly a decade of top scores in national sustainability ratings, UCCS is building upon its reputation as a leader in sustainability and a steward of the Pikes Peak region’s natural resources.

For the third cycle in a row, UCCS has been awarded a Gold rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). The Gold rating makes UCCS one of the four most sustainable higher education institutions in Colorado.

“UCCS’ continued success to institutionalize sustainable practices, education and engagement stems from the hard work of our students, staff and faculty,” said Kimberly Reeves, interim director of sustainability. “Whether it’s finding a more sustainable product to purchase, integrating sustainability into the curriculum, or receiving funding to implement a Green Action Fund project, our campus community helps make UCCS more sustainable.” 
Donations from tenth annual Move-Out event have surprising second lives
As students moved out of residence halls this year, the UCCS Office of Sustainability was busy giving gently-used items a second home – and even a chance to save lives.

The office offered the tenth annual Move-Out Donation event in partnership with Residence Life and Housing and Facilities Services. The initiative, which runs between finals week and move-out Saturday, encourages students to donate items they can’t take home with them or might normally throw away.

This year, UCCS donated enough useable items to fill a 22-foot dumpster to One Nation Walking Together, a local nonprofit. The organization provides resources and services to more than 40,000 Native American families living below the poverty line in the Pikes Peak Region and beyond. 

Students’ donated items – especially appliances like microwaves and miniature fridges – can have surprising second lives through the nonprofit.

“I often tell a story answering the question of why anyone would be so happy for a mini fridge for their home,” said Kathy Turzi, executive director of the nonprofit. “Many families we serve need to keep insulin treatments for diabetes in the home. Without a fridge to keep it at the right temperature, they may have to go without the medicine that can save their life. To some people, a mini fridge might look like a small appliance to keep a few drinks and snacks cold. But for people we serve, it may save a life.” 
City of Colorado Springs | Pedal Our Past
Come Pedal Our Past and celebrate Colorado Springs’ 150th anniversary cruising along on wheels! Choose the historic loop (or all of them) that fits you and your family and friends, your fitness level and your curiosity about our community. 

Bicycles are the perfect tool to explore a city: They are fast enough that you can cover some ground, slow enough that you can really see things, nimble enough that you can stop at a moment’s notice, and open not just to sights, but to scents, sounds, tastes, and tactile and kinetic elements too. So there’s no better way to experience the history of the city in its landscape than a tour by bike!

For Bike Month during the entire month of June, temporary signage will write the city’s history on the landscape of the routes. These routes will also live digitally on the Story of Us mobile map and Ride Spot, so locals and visitors can keep learning about the history of Colorado Springs well into the future. 

UCCS is part of the Cragmor Neighborhood Loop!

UCCS Staff Association Clean-The-Stream
Since 2010, UCCS has hosted volunteer clean-up events at the Templeton Gap Floodway adopted waterway site in the fall and spring semesters.

This summer, we've partnered with the UCCS Staff Association to host a third clean-up on Wednesday, July 28th from 9:00-11:00am!

We've had staff join us throughout the years, and now we're hosting a volunteer opportunity just for you!

This event will follow UCCS Event Services COVID-19 guidelines; volunteers will be updated closer to the event date with the most current information.

We have space for 50 volunteers.
Due to COVID-19 regulations, the Sustainability Demonstration House and Office of Sustainability will 100% remote as of 11/30/2020. Please email sustain@uccs.edu with questions.

For more information about UCCS guidelines on the impacts of COVID-19, please visit this website: https://covid19.uccs.edu/