Shrub Bed Maintenance

Pruning, mulching, manual weeding, spot spraying and pre-emergent applications, rejuvenation of shrubs and ornamental grasses, renovations of planting bends that are declining with removal of existing and replacement of plant material. 

Turf Care

Mow Operations

Mowing, fertilization, irrigation, turf renovations, and broad leaf weed control.  Outdoor Services uses a 16-foot and 10-foot turf mower, three 72-inch mowers, and assorted specialty mowers to mow the entire campus turf area. Mulching decks are utilized to reduce the use of water and fertilizer by returning organic matter to the landscape. 

Litter Removal

Litter removal from all exterior campus spaces on a typical weekday basis including organic debris cleanup and trash removal from trash receptacles, turf and shrub beds, and hard surfaces such as streets, sidewalks, gutters, parking lots, and pedestrian plazas. 

Irrigation

Irrigation is provided to 230 acres. This equates to approximately 35,000 sprinkler heads. The irrigation system utilizes over 90% raw water. That water is delivered from College Lake on the Foothills Campus to Main Campus through a 14-inch main line over three miles long. The irrigation system is controlled via centralized control. 

Maintenance responsibilities include: 

  • Repair of sprinkler heads, nozzles, and sprinkler head adjustments 
  • Identify and correct irrigation issues 
  • Mainline and lateral line repairs 
  • Timing and controller adjustments 

Tree Care

Provides general tree care: mulching tree rings, pruning, tree removal, winter watering, as well as storm damage cleanup and tree health assessment and care. See the Tree Campus Higher Education section on the Outdoor Services webpage for more details on the commitment to trees on campus. 

Flowerbed Maintenance

Over 100 flowerbeds are designed by an on-staff horticulturalist and installed and maintained annually.

Integrated Pest Management

Outdoor Services follows an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy to effectively manage pests, such as animals, insects, and weeds. Visit our IPM webpage to learn more. 

Sports Turf

Outdoor Services prepares and maintains both natural and synthetic athletic facilities including Jack Christiansen Track, Canvas Stadium and adjacent practice fields, the Women’s Softball facility, the Women’s Soccer facility and the indoor practice facility. The Sports Turf team regularly coordinate with coaches, athletic department officials and other university personnel in order to provide support for all practices, games and other planned events at the campus athletic facilities. Painting and preparing fields for practices and games is completed in accordance with NCAA regulations and sports turf industry best maintenance practices. All fields are tested monthly to ensure the playability. Athletic field renovations, including aeration, topdressing and overseeding of natural surfaces, and cleaning, decompaction and grooming of synthetic surfaces are completed during the off-season or during other interruptions in play. 

Snow Removal

Outdoor Services is responsible for snow and ice removal of all hard surface areas including streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. Building Services is responsible for removing snow at building entrances up to 20 feet from all buildings. Outdoor Services emphasizes safe access prior to the start of classes and to keep surfaces clear throughout the snow event, with primary focus on accessibility routes. Outdoor Services, as well as all municipalities, are unable to guarantee slip-free surfaces at all times during weather events.  The campus community must exercise caution and take personal responsibility for their own safety in inclement weather. Please report particularly hazardous locations to Facilities Management immediately at 970-491-0077 and provide the following information: 

Seasonal Hourly Employees

Seasonal hourly employees are an integral part of OSG operations during the growing season. They are heavily utilized on all OSG crews. To apply for a seasonal hourly position, please apply in person at 202 West Lake Street between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Students can apply for job on the CSU Handshake platform or in person.


For more information about Outdoor Services, which is composed of general grounds maintenance and heavy equipment/general services, please visit https://www.fm.colostate.edu/outdoorservices.

For information on Heavy Equipment needs or General Services, visit https://www.fm.colostate.edu/heavyequipment.