Dawson is dedicated to environmental stewardship. With a zero waste dining hall, light switch sensors, active GreenRide program, as well as its own wastewater treatment plant, Dawson’s goal is to demonstrate that energy conservation is compatible with today’s lifestyles because promoting sustainability is ensuring continued life within our environmental system.

List of 5 items.

  • The GreenRide

    In 2008, the GreenRide centralized bus system, with a flat rate pricing structure, was introduced. Since then, ridership has increased 72 percent with more than 175 students taking advantage of this transportation option in 2012-13. Each student who switches from riding in a car to taking the bus saves 5,000 pounds of CO2 per year.

    Regional Transportation District (RTD) Eco Passes are provided to faculty and staff each year, not only for alternate transportation to and from work, but to use locally and regionally.

    A carpool-only lot is designated as an incentive for like-minded students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
  • A Zero Waste Dining Hall

    The Dawson dining hall reduced its food waste by half in a single day and to less than 1 pound per month after beginning our compost program. Food trays also were removed, reducing the amount of water, chemicals, and energy needed to wash them.
  • Kitchen

    A new focus on Colorado Proud vegetables and the use of local vendors for bakery items and cheese products contributes to our house made offerings.

    Learn more about our dining hall partner, SAGE Dining Services.
  • Waste

    Currently Dawson is recycling paper, cardboard, and mixed containers. The school also provides composting and has a zero waste dining facility. The school and its student club, Dawson Earth Workshop, initiated mixed-recycling bins to all classrooms and established the campus-wide compost collection process.
  • Alternative Disposal Systems

    Cooking oil from the kitchen is collected and donated to a producer of bio-diesel fuels and cleansers.