| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.81 |
| Liaison | Ian Johnson |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2022 |
Colorado College
OP-2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
8.00 / 8.00 |
Ian
Johnson Sustainability Director Office of Sustainability |
Gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from stationary combustion | 8,495.76 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 10,158 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 1 GHG emissions from other sources | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 379.41 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported electricity | 51.69 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 15,692.47 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Gross Scope 2 GHG emissions from imported thermal energy | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Total | 8,547.45 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 26,229.88 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Figures needed to determine net carbon sinks:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Third-party verified carbon offsets purchased | 16,521 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Institution-catalyzed carbon offsets generated | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Carbon storage from on-site composting | 82.47 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 12 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Carbon storage from non-additional sequestration | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Carbon sold or transferred | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
| Net carbon sinks | 16,603.47 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 12 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
A brief description of the carbon sinks, including vendor, project source, verification program and contract timeframes (as applicable):
Colorado College's offset purchases are used to invest in the Larimer County Landfill Capture Project. Compost is also included in the total number of offsets by the college.
Adjusted net Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Adjusted net GHG emissions | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 26,217.88 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Start date | July 1, 2020 | July 1, 2008 |
| End date | June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2009 |
A brief description of when and why the GHG emissions baseline was adopted:
Following Colorado College’s signing of the ACUPCC and our commitment to carbon neutrality by 2020, the GHG emissions inventory was initiated. The baseline was first accounted for in 2008.
Figures needed to determine “Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 2,270 | 1,480 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 96 | 28 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 2,270 | 1,996.50 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 846 | 685 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted Campus Users | 2,928.50 | 2,388.13 |
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per weighted campus user:
| Performance year | Baseline year | |
| Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per weighted campus user | 0 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent | 10.98 Metric tons of CO2 equivalent |
Percentage reduction in adjusted net Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions per weighted campus user from baseline:
Gross floor area of building space, performance year:
Floor area of energy intensive building space, performance year:
| Floor area | |
| Laboratory space | 195,825 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 0 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 32,584 Square feet |
EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives:
As of January 1st, 2020 Colorado College reached its goal of Carbon Neutrality. In the first four years, as directed by the Sustainability Plan drafted in 2009, Colorado College reduced carbon emissions by more than 20% and saved $1.74 million in utility costs. Utilities management at Colorado College has become an area of increased emphasis. In FY13 CC experienced continued success in decreasing energy use and costs campus-wide. Cumulative avoided costs for utilities are estimated in excess of $5.7M since the 2008 baseline. Recent and notable accomplishments include: hiring of a full-time on Campus Energy Manager; developing the Carbon Neutrality Plan through collaboration between the Office of Sustainability, Facilities Services, and the Campus Sustainability Council; increasing renewable energy purchases via wind from Colorado Springs Utilities and solar from SunShare; introducing Sofame Heat Recovery at the Central Heating Plant, the building of various solar arrays on buildings around campus including the dean's house, Synergy house, Gaylord Apartments, The Worner Center, El Pomar Center, and Cornerstone Arts Center. The Dean's house and Synergy House are now net-zero buildings.
As of January 2015, LED lights were installed in the Honnen Ice Arena which resulted in 75% energy reduction and annual carbon savings of 100 MTCO2. In May 2015, LED lights were also installed in Schlessman Pool, resulting in 75% energy reduction and annual carbon savings of 40 MTCO2.
A water conservation project including pipe repairs at Schlessman Pool was completed in 2017. It resulted in savings of 4.1 million gallons of water saved from 2015 to 2016.
Numerous improvements have been made across campus in machine efficiency, ranging from instruments in Barnes to the steam generator in our campus cogeneration plant. Real-time energy dashboards accessible for the public were completed.
In 2018, Colorado College acquired the neighboring Fine Arts Center, which increased GHG emissions. Audits and commissioning are in the works, and RECs were purchased in 2017. Colorado College also completed renovations to Tutt Library. Tutt Library is powered using geoexchange and is a net-zero building that sets a national precedent for sustainable libraries.
Website URL where information about the institution's GHG emissions is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
CC Carbon Neutrality Plan: https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/sustainability/carbonneutral2020/index.html
The greenhouse gas inventory includes Colorado College's main campus, the Florissant CC Cabin, and the Baca Campus at Crestone, Colorado. Properties owned by the College but managed by external entities were excluded from the inventory, because the College is not responsible for the occupancy or maintenance of utilities for the associated buildings.
2020 Energy Report:
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/energy-management/CC%202020%20Annual%20Energy%20Report.pdf
CC Carbon Neutrality Plan: https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/sustainability/carbonneutral2020/index.html
The greenhouse gas inventory includes Colorado College's main campus, the Florissant CC Cabin, and the Baca Campus at Crestone, Colorado. Properties owned by the College but managed by external entities were excluded from the inventory, because the College is not responsible for the occupancy or maintenance of utilities for the associated buildings.
2020 Energy Report:
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/energy-management/CC%202020%20Annual%20Energy%20Report.pdf
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.