Interior View of Glenwood Center.

CMC Sustainability Students in the greenhouse.

The view from the CMC Steamboat Springs Permaculture Center.

CMC Sustainably Students working in the Greenhouse.

The CMC Solar Array at the Spring Valley campus.

Sustainability Studies graduate Christina Matzl poses in front of the Rifle solar array.

Sustainability at Colorado Mountain College

At Colorado Mountain College, sustainability is more than a goal—it’s a way of life.

We believe that fostering a personal connection to nature inspires meaningful action. Sustainability is woven into the fabric of our institution, as reflected in our vision:

“…to elevate the economic, social, cultural, and environmental vitality of [our] beautiful Rocky Mountain region.”

This commitment drives us to act as responsible stewards of the environment.

A Collaborative Effort

Sustainability at CMC is a team effort, bringing together students, faculty, staff, and community partners. Together, we measure, assess, and implement initiatives to reduce our environmental impact and build a better future.

One example is SUS 4500: Sustainability Assessment and Reporting, a course where students play a key role in earning CMC’s official rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

View sustainability classes offered at CMC.

STARS, silver ranking badge.

We’re proud to have achieved a Silver rating and are already working toward Gold in our next reporting cycle.

A Path Forward

Since 2014 we have seen a 57% reduction in actual carbon emissions.

From 2022 to 2024 with the introduction of our Ameresco solar partnership, we saw a 53% reduction in carbon emissions in one year.

Awards

CMC is proudly one of only nine postsecondary institutions in the nation and the only institution in Colorado to receive the 2017 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Postsecondary Sustainability Award.  Read CMC News Story

Taking Action on Climate

We take the challenge of climate change seriously. CMC has already reduced its greenhouse gas emissions and is committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.

Timeline of Major Sustainability Milestones at Colorado Mountain College

  • 2024

    • CMC earns first official AASHE sustainability rating
      Colorado Mountain College achieves its first official rating from the Association for the Advancement ofSustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
    • Dr. Carrie Hauser contributes to Higher Ed Climate Action Plan
      CMC President Dr. Carrie Hauser helps shape the Higher Ed Climate Action Plan, showcasing CMC’s leadership in climate solutions.

  • 2019

    • Honorable Mention in National Climate Leadership Awards
      Recognized nationally, CMC earns an honorable mention in the National Climate Leadership Awards.

  • 2017

    • Named Green Ribbon School by U.S. Department of Education
      CMC is honored as a Green Ribbon School for its sustainability initiatives.

  • 2016

    • Sustainability Action Plan Recommendations Report published
      The college releases its Sustainability Action Plan Recommendations Report.
    • First Annual Sustainability Conference hosted
      CMC hosts its inaugural Sustainability Conference, featuring undergraduate research presentations and nationally renowned keynote speakers.

  • 2012

    • Climate Action Plan
      The college outlines initial strategic efforts CMC will take towards carbon neutrality.
      The key interim target is to reduce the college’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG), in five-year increments by 12.5%

  • 2011

  • 2009

    • Signing of the American College & University President’s Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)
      Former CMC President Dr. Stanley Jensen commits the college to carbon neutrality by signing the ACUPCC agreement.

Sustainability Classes Available at Colorado Mountain College

Program Area Course Code Course Title
Biology BIO-3030 Botany for Ecosystem Science & Stewardship
Biology BIO-3100 Ecology
Business BUS-4300 Sustainable Business
Culinary Arts CUA-1015 Intro to Sustainable Cuisine
Culinary Arts CUA-2064 Sustainable Foodservice Operations
Economics ECO-2045 Issues in Environmental Economics
English ENG-1080 Literature of the Environment
Ecosystem Science and Stewardship ESS-1000 Intro to Rocky Mountain Ecosystem Science
Ecosystem Science and Stewardship ESS-3000 Foundations of Ecosystem Science
Ecosystem Science and Stewardship ESS-3100 Ecology
Ecosystem Science and Stewardship ESS-3780 Ecosystem Science & Stewardship Internship
Ecosystem Science and Stewardship ESS-4000 Tropical Ecology
Ecosystem Science and Stewardship ESS-4001 Tropical Conservation
Ecosystem Science and Stewardship ESS-4300 Ecosystem Policy & Rights of Nature
Ecosystem Science and Stewardship ESS-4310 Ecological Restoration & Monitoring
Ecosystem Science and Stewardship ESS-4500 Climate, Disturbance, & Global Change
Ecosystem Science and Stewardship ESS-4889 Capstone Research
Geography GEO-2009 Social Geography of Inequality
Philosophy PHI-2018 Environmental Ethics
Psychology PSY-4550 Wilderness & Personal Exploration
Psychology PSY-4560 Backcountry & Self-Discovery
Sociology SOC-2007 Environmental Sociology
Integrated Sustainability SUS-1001 Intro to Sustainability
Integrated Sustainability SUS-2001 Issues in Sustainability
Integrated Sustainability SUS-2500 Permaculture Design I
Integrated Sustainability SUS-2510 Permaculture Design II
Integrated Sustainability SUS-2520 Beekeeping I
Integrated Sustainability SUS-2530 Beekeeping II
Integrated Sustainability SUS-2600 Climate, Self, & Society
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3000 Foundations of Sustainability
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3010 Transformational Systems Thinking
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3100 Ecology
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3110 Sustainability Science for Climate Action
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3200 Literature for Change
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3210 Leadership, Ethics, & Social Change
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3220 Foodshed Sustainability
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3250 Energy Systems & Sustainability
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3300 Sustainable Economic Futures
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3310 Place-Based Environmental & Social Justice
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3400 Environmental Chemistry
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3410 Sustainable Agriculture
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3460 Creative Sustainability
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3887 Internship I
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3888 Internship II
Integrated Sustainability SUS-3910 Field Experience in Sustainability
Integrated Sustainability SUS-4160 Careers & Professional Skills in Sustainability
Integrated Sustainability SUS-4200 Writing for Sustainability
Integrated Sustainability SUS-4210 Climate & Sustainability Communications
Integrated Sustainability SUS-4250 Climate Action Plans & Policies
Integrated Sustainability SUS-4300 Sustainable Business
Integrated Sustainability SUS-4310 Innovation & Entrepreneurship for Sustainability
Integrated Sustainability SUS-4400 Watershed Science
Integrated Sustainability SUS-4500 Sustainability Assessment & Reporting
Integrated Sustainability SUS-4800 Transdisciplinary Research & Practice I
Integrated Sustainability SUS-4887 Internship III
Integrated Sustainability SUS-4888 Internship IV
Integrated Sustainability SUS-4900 Transdisciplinary Research & Practice II
Program Area Course Code Course Title