Campus Sustainability

Transportation

Situated on a hill, with limited bus service, and a large commuter population that works off campus, UCCS is challenged to change commuter habits to reduce its carbon footprint. The latest transportation survey shows that over 85% of students, faculty and staff drive to campus. However as one of the fastest growing campuses in the country, we have opportunities to carefully plan our transportation infrastructure to reduce vehicle use and encourage safe pedestrian and bicycle use. Potential benefits of sustainable transportation strategies include reduced parking infrastructure costs, greater connectivity with the Colorado Springs community, and a healthier student body and staff.

Strategic Planning and Education

In 2007, UCCS hosted a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) workshop with Spenser Havlick, co-author of the book, Transportation and Sustainable Campus Communities. The TDM workshop, which included members of the Colorado Springs planning community, resulted in the creation of a Sustainable Transportation Intern position in the Department of Public Safety to provide alternative transportation education and coordinate programs to encourage mulit-modal transportation.

Multi-Modal Transportation

Buses/Shuttles: Two city bus routes (#9, #14) provide the campus with limited local and regional connectivity. Front Range Express (FREX) offers bus service to/from Colorado Springs, Monument, Castle Rock, and Denver. Campus shuttles logged over 400,000 passenger miles last year--doubling the previous year's mileage--delivering passengers to, from, and around campus. Find more campus shuttle information here, including schedules and locations.

Bicycles: City buses and campus shuttles have bike transport racks and there are bicycle racks throughout the campus. Bike lockers at the Recreation Center are available for rent to provide higher security and weather protection. The Bike Shop in the Recreation Center offers minor repairs and cycling workshops. Bike racks are available at all major campus buildings and showers/changing rooms are available at several campus locations. Download a campus bike map here.

Carpooling options are offered on the UCCS web site through a city-run carpool database. Campus parking permits can be shared. Charter services can organize student groups in vans or buses rather than single occupancy vehicles. A parking spot designated only for hybrid vehicles is planned to be located behind the new Conference and Events Center.

Alternative Work Site

Our Alternative Work Site (AWS) Pilot Program was developed to reduce trips to campus. Select classified staff work four ten-hour days and salaried employees work one day at home each week. In addition to reduced emissions, expected benefits of the program are reduced commuting costs for employees, higher productivity, expanded service hours, and an increase in employee satisfaction. If successful, UCCS will expand the program for the entire university.

Fleet

Currently, the campus fleet includes electric, propane, hybrid, bio-diesel, and flex fuel vehicles. Five of the campus shuttle vehicles run on bio-diesel. The Department of Public Safety recently purchased 2 Toyota Prius hybrids for patrol cars. Some of these vehicles, including a hybrid, are available for off-campus university business - find leasing information here.

More information on alternative, sustainable transportation at UCCS can be found on the Department of Public Safety's Sustainability and Transportation website.

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