Energy

Campus energy use, from electricity and natural gas sources, generate two-thirds of our campus greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, the university spends over $2 Million annually on electricity and natural gas use.

This is at a cost nearly equivalent to $225 per student on the UCCS campus. Given market trends and student population growth, we will likely continue to observe increases in the costs associated with these expenditures. While this is the case, the University and Office of Sustainability continue our dedication towards alternative energy production, building energy efficiency, and education relating to consumption. As laid out within our Climate Action Plan and Sustainability Strategic Plan, we have put forward a framework for the responsible growth of our campus. The Sustainability Strategic Plan, "recognizes the seriousness of global climate change, UCCS will strive to reduce its contribution to greenhouse gases by reducing energy use, increasing energy efficiency and pursuing the use of renewable energy."

Smart Energy Living Pyramid

UCCS has adopted the Smart Energy Living ® pyramid as a guiding energy management principle as well as an educational tool. The over-arching idea is to reduce your consumption so when you need to install ways to produce energy, you are already using less so you need a smaller system to support your needs. Check out the graphic below along with drop-down menus to learn how to implement these concepts into your own practices.

How is UCCS implementing Energy Conservation?

Energy Conservation is about our behavior and the actions that we can take every day to reduce energy use at work and at home, such as: turning off lights when not needed, powering off and unplugging computers and other electronics when not being used, turning down the thermostats, taking shorter showers and more.

How is UCCS implementing Energy Efficiency?

Energy Efficiency is technology that helps us reduce our energy use including: more efficient CFL or LED light bulbs, occupancy and vacancy sensors, energy-efficient mechanical and HVAC systems and appliances, and more.

How is UCCS implementing Renewable Energy?

Renewable Energy is the final piece of the pyramid. After reducing as much energy as we can from conservation and efficiency, UCCS strives to incorporate as much renewable energy, currently from solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, and wind, to our energy portfolio.

Energy Star

ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. UCCS is a state university and therefore is charged by the State of Colorado "to take a position of leadership in the new energy economy. State government will reduce energy consumption, increase the use of renewable energy sources, increase the energy efficiency and decrease the environmental impact of the state vehicle fleet, implement environmental purchasing standards and reduce waste and increase recycling." On April, 2007, Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., signed the Greening of State Government Executive Orders D011 07 and D012 07, which sets a goal of reducing energy use by purchasing ENERGY STAR® products when available. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that identifies and promotes energy efficient products and buildings for American consumers, businesses, and organizations to help reduce energy consumption, reduce pollution in the form of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and decrease environmental impact.

Energy Star Resources

2005 Energy Performance Bond

In 2005, after completing a comprehensive technical energy audit of 1.2 million square feet of general funded and auxiliary facilities, UCCS secured a $1.3 million bond for energy and resource conservation projects. The audit identified energy savings measures, comprised mainly of heating, cooling, and lighting,that contain life cycle cost benefits for the University. This program has provided approximately $75,000 in savings per year and more than $76,000 in one-time rebates from Colorado Springs Utilities. The project will reduce UCCS' energy requirements over an 18-year payback period with generated savings expected to repay the debt. Learn more at the 2005 Energy Performance Bond website.

Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN)

Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN) was a month long conservation challenge that encourages residential students to decrease their energy and water use through a month of programming and marketing. With this programming, CCN served as an engagement tool promoting conservation behavior while enhancing the experience of our students. In addition to conservation, CCN provided a way to educate students while working to reduce our utility use and carbon emissions. The month-long competition used an initial test week as base data for a comparison across the competition period. As part of this competition, the Office partnered with UCCS Residence Life, Green Action Fund, and the Residence Hall Association. Learn more at the Campus Conservation Nationals website.