Published: Sept. 23, 2016

Since the 1970’s, Boulder has established a proud tradition of leading the nation in sustainability initiatives. Students, faculty and staff have worked hard over the decades to turn innovative sustainability ideas into realities. Here’s a brief outline of Boulder’s biggest accomplishments through the years:

  • 1970: The first student-led environmental program in the nation is created, establishing Boulder at the forefront of sustainability
  • 1976: Boulder becomes first in the nation to establish a student-led recycling program, proving that students care about the environment and the campus’ impact on the world
  • 1991: Boulder students pass a vote to provide every single student a bus pass to get around the greater Boulder/Denver area, encouraging students to take public transportation
  • 2008: Student Government requires that all student funded events on campus are zero-waste
  • 2008: The Athletics launches the first NCAA Division I zero-waste program in the nation
  • 2009: A conceptual plan for overall carbon neutrality across campus is established
  • 2011: Boulder reaches the first STARS gold sustainability rating
  • 2014: Boulder renews its STARS gold sustainability rating, raising its score within the category
  • 2016: The athletic department becomes carbon neutral and opens a “Net-Zero Electricity” facility for athletic practices
Recycling guidelines