Colorado State University
IN-1: Innovation 1

Caros is just one of CSU's SuperCluser start-ups that demonstrates how the SuperClusters program is creating innovative, interdisciplinary opportunities to address global challenges. Caros uses social science research to help people, business, and organizations create sustainable behavior change in their communities and businesses. Caros goes beyond conventional marketing strategies, taking a customer-focused approach to transform the way that sustainability initiatives are developed and implemented. They employ the best evidence-based practices and develop a customized strategy to overcome key behavioral barriers and achieve the greatest positive outcomes. Changing individual behaviors requires more than changing attitudes and knowledge; instead, messages must be developed that can motivate sustainable behavior and enable people to overcome the barriers to behavioral change. Community-based social marketing is a process that integrates social science research and community participation in a comprehensive strategy for promoting behavior change and overcoming barriers. Sustainability efforts within businesses, government, and non-profit agencies require transformative changes in organizational management in addition to individual behavior change. Caros develops a comprehensive strategy to enable businesses and agencies to meet their goals for reduced energy consumption and maximize the value of every sustainability dollar. In addition to identifying behavioral targets and designing messages, they help public and private entities address organizational barriers to sustainability.