ACUPCC Reporting System

Implementation Profile for University of Colorado Denver

Submitted on April 22, 2008; last updated on July 13, 2009

Institution Information

Basic Carnegie Classification RU/VH: Research Universities (very high research activity)
Control Public
Location Denver, CO
Community Setting Large city
USDOE Climate Zone Not applicable
Current President or Chancellor's Name Roy Wilson
Current President or Chancellor's Title Chancellor
Main Web Site http://ucdhsc.edu/
Sustainability Web Site No information provided

Implementation Structure

Implementation Liaison's Name Jarrett N Smith
Implementation Liaison's Title Sustainability Officer
Implementation Liaison's Department No information provided
Format of Structure Committee
Number of Individuals in Structure 12
Stakeholder Groups Represented Faculty, Students, Executive, Staff
Description Sustainability Officer suggested structure to Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration and Vice Chancellor for University Initiatives, who agreed.

Tangible Actions

1. Establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standard or equivalent.

Yes: Under Colorado Statute, UCD is required to build new construction to LEED Gold.

2. Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist.

Yes: University of Colorado System, under Colorado Governor's Executive Order D00 12 07, has instituted a policy to place preference on Energy Star products.

3. Establish a policy of offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel paid for by our institution.

No: No information provided.

4. Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and visitors at our institution.

Yes: Currently, UCD provides Downtown Campus students with multiple transportation options as part of tuition fees.

The Health Sciences Center Campus is an integral partner of the Fitzsimmons Transportation Management Association which is looking at multiple avenues for students and employees to get to campus. Currently, Health Sciences Center offers a discounted transit pass (20%) to students and employees.

5. Within one year of signing this document, begin purchasing or producing at least 15% of our institution's electricity consumption from renewable sources.

No: No information provided.

6. Establish a policy or a committee that supports climate and sustainability shareholder proposals at companies where our institution's endowment is invested.

No: No information provided.

7. Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and adopt 3 or more associated measures to reduce waste.

Yes: UCD has recently moved to a single-stream recycling program and is seeking to maximize use of the program so as to move more out of the waste/landfill stream. We will enter the Recyclemania competition next year.