Legacy

Built in 1876, Old Main is the oldest building on campus and home to the CU Heritage Center.

CU Boulder Was the First University to:

  • Create a student-led Environmental Center
  • Launch a student-led campus recycling program
  • Purchase renewable energy credits
  • Fuel campus vehicles completely with biodiesel
  • Provide students with a comprehensive bus pass
  • Build an NCAA Division 1 zero-waste stadium and athletics program
  • Achieve a STARS gold rating
  • Be named Sierra Club’s #1 greenest school (AAU)
  • Claim a carbon neutral student government and athletics program
  1. 1970

    E-center Established

    The nation's first student-led environmental center is established on Earth Day.

  2. 1976

    Recycling Program

    The nation's first collegiate student-led recycling program begins. Student volunteers begin newspaper and aluminum can recycling.

  3. 1991

    Recycling Partnership

    A student-administrative partnershipbetween the CU Boulder Student Union and Facilities Managment is created for recycling.

  4. 1991

    Prepaid Bus Program

    °Õ³ó±ðÌýnation's first student prepaid bus program is established.

  5. 1992

    Recycling Processing Facility

    °Õ³ó±ðÌýfirst recycling processing facility is built on campus.

  6. 1994

    Campus Earth Summit

    The first annual Campus Earth Summit is held.

  7. 1997

    Talloires Declaration

    CU-Boulder signs the Talloires Declaration, committing the university to set an example of environmental responsibility in its teaching, research and operations.

  8. 1998

    Campus Master Plan

    CU Boulder incorporates sustainability provisions for facilities into the Campus Master Plan.

  9. 1998

    Bus Passes for Faculty and Staff

    CU implements Faculty/Staff EcoPass bus pass program providing fare free unlimited-use transit pass.

  10. 2000

    Renewable Energy Credits

    CU Boulder students purchase the nation's first renewable energy credits. Students vote to purchase renewable wind-energy credits to match electricity used in all major campus construction after 2000.

  11. 2001

    Energy Education Campaign

    ´¡²ÔÌýEnergy Education Campaign begins. A resource conservation office position is created. Campus energy use decreases for the first time in 10 years.

  12. 2002

    Pesticide Use Reduction

    CU passes a campus wide pest control policy with the stated purpose of reducing the use of toxic pesticides.

  13. 2004

    Solar Panels on Campus

    °Õ³ó±ðÌýfirst solar panels on campus are installed at the UMC.

  14. 2005

    Sustainable CU Boulder Grant Fund

    °Õ³ó±ðÌýSustainable CU Boulder Grant Fund is established by student vote.

  15. 2006

    First LEED Certified Building

    The new Atlas facitilty becomes the first CU Boulder building built or renovated to meet stringent Leadership in Energy and Environment Design, or LEED, green standards for sustainable architecture.

  16. 2007

    Pledge for Carbon Neutrality

    Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson makes CU Boulder a charter signatory of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, pledging CU Boulder to attain carbon neutrality.

  17. 2007

    4 Million Pounds Recycled

    CU Boulder's recycling collection exceeds 2,000 tons (4 million pounds). Funding is provided to begin a feasibility study of relocating or expanding CU Boulder's recycling facility.

  18. 2008

    Zero-Waste

     The CU Boulder Student Government requires all student-funded food/dining events to be zero-waste.

  19. 2008

    Free Reusable Bags

    CU Boulder Dining Services eliminates plastic bags from grab-and-go meals and distributes free reusable bags to all incoming resident hall students.

  20. 2008

    NCAA Zero-Waste Program

    CU Boulder Athletics launches the nation's first NCAA Division 1 zero-waste program.

  21. 2009

    CU Green Labs

    The CU Green Labs Program established to minimize the use of energy, water, material goods, and hazardous chemicals in CU Boulder laboratories and to promote efficient, effective use of research equipment and laboratory space.

  22. 2009

    Carbon Neutrality

    CU Boulder issues a Conceptual Plan for carbon neutrality.

  23. 2009

    #1 Green School in the Nation

    CU Boulder is named the #1 Green School in the Nation by the Sierra Club.

  24. 2011

    Stars Gold Sustainability Rating

    CU Boulder receives the nation's first Stars Gold Sustainability rating.

  25. 2012

    Carbon Neutrality for Student-Run Buildings

    The CU Boulder Student Government attains carbon neutrality for student-run buildings.

  26. 2014

    Stars Gold Sustainability

    CU Boulder renews its Stars Gold Sustainability rating and increases its score.

  27. 2015

    SEEC Facility

    The new Sustainability, Energy and Environment Complex (SEEC) research, eduation and engagement facility is set to open on East Campus.

  28. 2015

    On-Campus Recycling Center

    Construction is complete on the new on-campus recycling facility.

  29. 2016

    Bike Friendly Campus

    CU Boulder recognized as a Gold Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists.

  30. 2016

    Net-Zero Electricity

    CU Boulder Athletics attains carbon neutrality and opens a "±·±ð³Ù-´Ü±ð°ù´ÇÌý·¡±ô±ð³¦³Ù°ù¾±³Ù¾±³¦²â"Ìýpractice facility at Folsom Field.

  31. 2018

    STARS Gold Rating

    CU Boulder renews STARS gold sustainability rating and increases its score for the second time

  32. 2018

    University Climate Change Coalition

    CU Boulder becomes founding member of the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3)

  33. 2019

    United Nations Sports for Climate Action

    CU Boulder becomes first university to sign on to United Nations Sports for Climate Action framework

  34. 2020

    50th Earth Day

    °Õ³ó±ðÌýCU Boulder Environmental Center celebrates its 50th anniversary.Â