Sustainability Focus Area
Grounds & Sustainable Landscapes
Facilities Management approaches campus landscaping from a systems perspective, with the goal of creating a more progressive, species-diverse, and sustainable environment for the CSU community.
Lagoon Renovation
The CSU Lagoon was redesigned to reduce evaporation and improve stormwater quality while creating a more accessible and engaging campus space.
- Improves water quality through natural filtration.
- Provides accessible walking paths and gathering areas.
- Supports campus wellness and sustainability goals.
Landscape Focus Areas
Sustainable landscapes support campus beauty, shade, habitat, water conservation, stormwater quality, and long-term resilience.
Campus Arboretum & Trees
Facilities Management is responsible for approximately 9,000 trees distributed across three campuses. Trees provide shade and cooling, enhance campus beauty, help protect against wind, and improve air quality.
Pollinators & Bee Campus USA
Facilities Management promotes best practices for creating pollinator-friendly spaces across campus, including the installation and maintenance of pollinator gardens.
Integrated Pest Management
Facilities Management uses a holistic approach to managing animals, insects, and weeds through Integrated Pest Management procedures that align with environmentally responsible practices.
Irrigation & Drought Response
Since the drought of 2002–03, CSU has managed irrigation through a water budget and targeted conservation practices, resulting in a 25–30% reduction in irrigation water use.
3%
Of Colorado’s total water consumption is used for irrigated landscapes.
96%
Of campus irrigation water comes from non-potable sources.
25–30%
Reduction in irrigation water use since CSU adopted its drought-response approach.
Water Use Overview
- Approximately 650 acre-feet of water are used within CSU’s annual irrigation budget.
- 400 acre-feet of irrigation water are allocated specifically for this purpose under state water law.
- On average, over half of the water used on campus each year has a first use in hydraulics experiments at the CSU Hydraulic Laboratory. Smaller experiments recirculate that water.
- Some water is also used for evaporative cooling, reducing the need for treated domestic water in campus cooling systems.
- Water not absorbed for plant growth or used for cooling returns as runoff flow to the Poudre River, creating an additional environmental benefit.
Ongoing Water Conservation Measures
Reduction of irrigated turf areas.
Use of native and low-water-use adapted plant materials.
Watering based on evapotranspiration rates of managed plant materials.
Flow sensors on major system legs to detect excess flow and shut off water.
Pilot use of soil moisture sensors tied to irrigation controls.
Central irrigation controls with smartphone access.
Watering within a 12–13 hour nighttime irrigation window.
Why This Matters
A successful drought response plan must balance conservation with the economic, public-health, and environmental value of an irrigated, appropriately landscaped, and fully stocked urban forest.
The CSU Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department has also published research on the hidden values of landscapes that helps quantify these broader benefits.
Questions About Campus Landscapes?
Facilities Management Customer Service can help direct your request or connect you with the appropriate team.