Creating Healthier Places

University of Colorado Boulder

2018 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2017
Length of Commitment: 3 years
Select a Progress Report:

Committed to meet 23 guidelines—developed by PHA in collaboration with some of the nation’s leading nutrition, physical activity and campus wellness experts—around nutrition, physical activity, and programming on campus.

Verified Results

  • Implementation Date

    April 2020

    Reporting Date

    June 2018

    Commitment Element

    Implement a local food procurement program that increases procurement of local and sustainable foods.

    Progress To Date

    Campus Dining Services at the University of Colorado Boulder is recognized as a national leader in sustainability and has implemented strong resource conservation projects in-line with campus goals. Its Sustainable Dining Initiative has been in place since 2012 with sustainable dining and purchasing practices, zero waste programs, composting efforts and sustainable building standards actively integrated into its operations. Campus Dining Services has earned recognition by the Good Food 100, AASHE Stars, Green Restaurant Association and achieved the PETA Dean's List, earning an A+ for being a vegan friendly university. Campus Dining Services is member of the Menus of Change University Research Collaborative and utilizes their principles as guidance to build healthy, sustainable menus. The University of Colorado Boulder's newest dining hall also features the CO Hearth Station which emphasizes cooking with farm fresh, locally sourced protein and produce and includes a 3,000 square food greenhouse to produce fresh salad greens year-round.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2020

    Reporting Date

    June 2018

    Commitment Element

    Offer a comparable plant-based food option at every platform serving meat.

    Progress To Date

    University of Colorado at Boulder offers a variety of plant-based food options, with at least one plant-based entrée or side at every platform serving meat.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2020

    Reporting Date

    June 2018

    Commitment Element

    Make free water available in all dining, recreational and educational facilities.

    Progress To Date

    University of Colorado Boulder makes free water available in all dining, recreational and educational facilities through a combination of water fountains and bottle filling stations.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2020

    Reporting Date

    June 2018

    Commitment Element

    Make available Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) for personal nutrition assessments and counseling to all students.

    Progress To Date

    University of Colorado Boulder students have access to free basic consultations with a registered dietitian for personal nutrition assessments. Ongoing, in-depth nutrition counseling is also available and covered by the Student Gold Health Insurance Plan. Additionally, Housing and Dining Services and the Athletic Department provide registered dietitians to meet with students individually and support nutrition needs in campus dining facilities and athletic programs.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2020

    Reporting Date

    June 2018

    Commitment Element

    Implement a bicycle and pedestrian accommodation program/policy (e.g., Complete Streets) or participate in a national bicycle or pedestrian recognition program (e.g., Bicycle Friendly University)

    Progress To Date

    In 2016, University of Colorado Boulder received the Gold level Bicycle Friendly University designation by the League of American Bicyclists.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2020

    Reporting Date

    June 2018

    Commitment Element

    Implement a campus-wide program/policy that incentivizes the use of public or campus provided transportation.

    Progress To Date

    University of Colorado Boulder incentivizes alternative transportation methods by providing free bus service for students and qualifying employees, with access to all Local, Limited, Express, and Regional routes, facilitating ride sharing and through a campus Bicycle Program offering bike rentals, stations and maintenance support. Students and staff overwhelming use alternative methods of transportation with 80% commuting by bicycle, bus, shared ride or walking.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2020

    Reporting Date

    June 2018

    Commitment Element

    Provide, without a user fee, sixteen (16)-hour per day access to at least one (1) fitness or recreation center for all students.

    Progress To Date

    University of Colorado Boulder provides students with free access to the Student Recreation Center and Williams Village Recreation Center for 16.2 hours per day, on average, each week.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2020

    Reporting Date

    June 2018

    Commitment Element

    Dedicate at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the primary campus recreation center floor space to areas for physical activity.

    Progress To Date

    University of Colorado Boulder's Student Recreation Center provides 139,341 square feet of floor space dedicated to physical activity, representing 46.5% of the total facility square footage. Outdoor facilities and the Williams Village Recreation Center offer an additional 678,518 and 9,600 square feet of physical activity space, respectively.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2020

    Reporting Date

    June 2018

    Commitment Element

    3. Offer a minimum of forty (40) total: a. Diverse non-competitive group fitness opportunities during each academic year. AND b. Diverse competitive sports, intramural or informal recreation opportunities each academic year.

    Progress To Date

    University of Colorado Boulder offers a range of diverse competitive and non-competitive fitness opportunities with 13 unique group fitness classes, 26 club sports, 11 intramural sports, inclusive recreation offerings, a challenge course and a climbing gym.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2020

    Reporting Date

    June 2018

    Commitment Element

    Offer a rental outdoor recreation equipment program for students.

    Progress To Date

    The University of Colorado Boulder's Outdoor Program offers a range of outdoor rental equipment at a nominal fee. Equipment options are available for camping, boating, hiking and winter activities.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2020

    Reporting Date

    June 2018

    Commitment Element

    Implement a mandatory health and wellness education online module to be completed by all incoming first year or transfer students, upon registering with the college or university.

    Progress To Date

    Insufficient data to verify.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2020

    Reporting Date

    June 2018

    Commitment Element

    Offer non-academic cooking skills classes that are available to students and incorporate fruits and vegetables.

    Progress To Date

    University of Colorado Boulder offers the Ralphie's Cooking Basics free weekly cooking class. Class menus teach students a range of recipes and techniques, many with healthy options incorporating fruits and vegetables, including butternut squash soup, street tacos with pork or vegetables, grilled vegetable sandwiches, vegan chili and stir fry with chicken or vegetable options.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2020

    Reporting Date

    June 2018

    Commitment Element

    Offer, without a user fee, a minimum of one (1) monthly –'how to' physical activity/ movement class that introduces students to new activities.

    Progress To Date

    University of Colorado Boulder offers a weekly Free Friday Power Hour fitness class. Activities vary each week and encourage students to try new forms of physical activity. Examples of Power Hour offerings include power yoga, pilates, power barre, Zumba and cycling.

  • Implementation Date

    April 2020

    Reporting Date

    June 2018

    Commitment Element

    Make available certified personal trainers for all students..

    Progress To Date

    The University of Colorado Boulder provides access to nine certified personal trainers. Students and Rec Center members may select individual or partner sessions for a nominal fee.

Partner Statement

“The University of Colorado at Boulder is pleased to announce the completion of over half of our PHA initiatives during the 2018 year. The completion of these initiatives could not have been achieved without the ongoing collaborative efforts of the PHA team on campus. Working together, the PHA team has managed to extend physical activity to all students with varying physical abilities, and at the same time fuel their bodies with much needed healthy and sustainable foods. Students have access to a large recreation center, multiple bike paths, and a number of fitness classes and trainers that are able to meet the various fitness needs of students. In addition to fitness and recreation, all students have access to a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist through Dining Services in order to help guide them with any nutritional needs. At CU Boulder, we take great pride in our dining facilities and our ability to produce and serve healthy, great tasting, and sustainably sourced food. Much of which is plant based and local. In addition to the nourishing foods found throughout campus, students can show their creativity and learn cooking skills at our Chef led cooking classes, which are available monthly within our state of the art dining facility. We look forward to continuing our path towards health and wellness over the next year while continuing to implement PHA initiatives.”