The Project Initiation Process is an important lever for advancing CSU’s climate and sustainability commitments. Every new capital project has long-term implications for CSU’s ability to meet its goals of 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040. These projects not only play a central role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving efficiency but also help CSU maintain its reputation as one of the most sustainable universities in the world, with consistent STARS Platinum ratings.
The sustainability scoring criteria in this document are designed to ensure that early project proposals are evaluated consistently against CSU’s climate, infrastructure, and mission-related priorities. They reflect CSU’s commitment to responsible land use, efficient and flexible space design, resilience, energy transformation, ecological stewardship, and integration with academic and community values.
Scoring
Each project will be reviewed against the list of efficiency and sustainability criteria detailed below. This approach allows projects to be recognized for advancing multiple aspects of sustainability. The number of criteria advanced will be translated into a rubric score according to the following bands:
Project Initiation Process Scoring Criteria
Sustainability Land, Space & Resource Efficiency
Focus: using CSU’s land, buildings, and infrastructure wisely, reducing waste, and designing for long-term value.
- Space Right-Sizing – The project consolidates or appropriately sizes space or infrastructure to meet real programmatic needs, rather than adding unnecessary capacity that would increase long-term operational costs.
- Adaptable for Future Use – The proposed space or infrastructure is flexible for a wide range of potential future uses, extending its life and reducing the likelihood of costly replacement.
- Biodiversity & Grounds Impact – The project preserves, restores, or expands campus ecosystems, including tree canopy, pollinator habitat, and ecologically managed green space, rather than displacing them or creating new high-water intensity areas.
- Renovation, Material Circularity & Embodied Carbon – The project reduces the embodied carbon footprint of construction or infrastructure by reusing and/or revitalizing existing structures, salvaging materials, or incorporating adaptive reuse instead of entirely new construction.
Energy & Carbon Transformation
Focus: advancing CSU’s carbon neutrality goals and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Energy Transformation – The project avoids new fossil fuel infrastructure (“no new combustion” standard) and is compatible with CSU’s transition to electrification. Where feasible, the project aligns with the District Energy Conversion or integrates renewable energy sources (solar, geo-exchange, wind, etc.).
Mobility & Access
Focus: supporting low-carbon transportation and campus connectivity.
- Mobility & Access – The project is located and designed to encourage low-carbon transportation choices, such as proximity to transit routes, bike infrastructure, and pedestrian pathways, while minimizing new parking demand.
Resilience & Risk Management
Focus: preparing CSU’s facilities and systems for future challenges.
- Resilience & Climate Adaptation – Project provides broad, campus-wide or system-level resilience improvements (e.g., infrastructure upgrades that benefit multiple facilities) and strengthens CSU’s ability to withstand climate-related risks such as extreme heat, flooding, wildfire smoke, energy disruption, or water scarcity.
Academic & Community Value
Focus: aligning projects with CSU’s teaching, research, and outreach mission.
- Curriculum, Research, & Academic Integration – The project supports CSU’s academic mission by creating spaces or infrastructure that advance sustainability teaching, research, or experiential learning (e.g., living lab potential, interdisciplinary centers).
- Community Integration & Engagement – The project actively advances CSU’s sustainability leadership in Fort Collins and beyond by fostering community partnerships and engagement, providing shared-use spaces, or opening space broadly to the campus community and beyond.