Sustainability

Office of Sustainability:

We are still available by email at this time. Send us an email or complete the contact form below.

Thank You, PPCC Students!

Earth Day reminds us to publicly demonstrate our individual and collective responsibility to care for the natural environment that supports life on this planet. During the Student Government Elections on April 13 & 14, the second-largest number of students in Pikes Peak Community College's (PPCC) history made this public demonstration by voting to permanently fund the Green Campus Fee, Office of Sustainability, and full-time sustainability coordinator. Before the elections, students voted on this fee every five years. PPCC students have ensured the college will continue to be a leader in resource conservation, social equity, and environmental stewardship in the Pikes Peak region and among community colleges in Colorado.

The Office of Sustainability

PPCC is the first and only community college to have a dedicated Office of Sustainability in Colorado.

What is sustainability?

Personal: Adopt sustainable practices that save money, improve health, and reduce waste.

Student: Explore the interconnections between economic, social, and environmental systems.

Professional: Develop innovative solutions that deliver the triple-bottom-line benefits of people, planet, and profit.

The Planet, People, Prosperity (3-Ps) Vinn Diagram

Why learn about sustainability?

Sustainability is relevant to all academic, technical, and vocational programs. Students learn how to conserve resources, work effectively on a team, and make long-term investments. Sustainability concepts and practices prepare students to address society’s most pressing problems and give them a competitive advantage in applying for jobs.

Our Mission

To foster a culture of resource conservation, social equity, and environmental stewardship at Pikes Peak Community College.

Our Funding

We receive funding from a student fee called Green Campus Fee. Students are charged $0.39 per credit hour to support our modest operating budget and full-time sustainability coordinator.

Our Services

Student Employment: We provide employment opportunities for all students.
Student Engagement: We partner with staff and faculty to plan events and activities.
Academics: We support faculty in incorporating sustainability into their classes.
Operations: We advise staff on reducing waste, increasing resource efficiency, and purchasing sustainable products and services.
Strategic Planning: We collaborate with administrators to incorporate sustainability into the college’s strategic plan and conduct college-wide sustainability assessments.
Community Outreach: We partner with community organizations to mutually exchange resources and opportunities.

Our 10-Year Achievements

Transportation: We championed the Student Bus Pass Program that serves over 1,000 students per year.
Waste Reduction and Diversion: We invested in convenient and consistent recycling stations in hallways, lounges, and parking lots across all campuses.
Student Employment: We trained and mentored over 45 student employees in seven years.
Student Engagement: We engaged 3,000 students per year in events such as the Creek Cleanup, Green Holiday Fair, and Trash Art Competition.
Grounds Improvement: We transformed the Centennial Campus Courtyard Gardens from overgrown to an attractive place to study.
Facilities Improvements: We successfully proposed the PPCC's first high-performance building.
Energy Efficiency: We piloted the first energy-efficient LED lighting project.
Awards: We won two regional sustainability awards in 2016 and 2018.