About Green Labs
Welcome to Auraria's Green Labs Program, an initiative dedicated to promoting safety and sustainability in research and teaching labs across the Auraria Campus. Our program provides community, resources, certifications, and recognition to help labs reduce their environmental impact while maintaining research excellence.
Why Green Labs?
We recognize that research laboratories can be resource-intensive spaces. A laboratory space produces a staggering amount of avoidable waste and can use up to ten times more energy than office spaces.
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We strive to help implement best laboratory management practices to ensure our students and staff lead by example while upholding high standards for resource conservation.
Did You Know?
A single fume hood can consume as much energy as 3.5 households in a day.
Sustainable Labs Committee Meetings
Help make science at Auraria more sustainable!
Are you passionate about sustainability in the lab? Do you have ideas to share or want to connect with others across CCD, CU Denver, and MSU Denver? Join us at the Sustainable Labs committee meetings!
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Collaborate with others from all three institutions to help make our campus labs more sustainable:
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Monthly meetings on the first Friday of the month at 1:30 pm
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Open discussion and idea sharing
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Faculty and research students welcome
Energy Efficiency Initiatives
Did you know that the Science building is one of the most energy-intensive buildings on campus?
Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer Subsidy Program
Ultra-low temperature freezers are among the most energy-intensive pieces of equipment found within a laboratory setting.
The Auraria Sustainable Campus Program (ASCP) will be launching a subsidy program that will offset the cost differential of average or below average ultra-low temperature freezers and high-efficiency models.
Shut the Sash
When open, a single fume hood can consume as much energy as 3.5 homes in 24 hours. The “Shut the Sash” campaign encourages users to close the fume hood when not in active use.
Want fume hood stickers? Email greenlabs@ahec.edu
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Freezer Challenge
Does your lab have refrigerators, freezers, or cold rooms for sample storage?
If so, click here to sign up for the 2026 Freezer Challenge! The International Laboratory Freezer Challenge empowers labs around the world to adopt sustainable cold storage practices, reduce energy use, and contribute to a greener future. The program has saved over 108 million kWh since its beginning.
Energy Conservation Signage
Want to encourage energy conservation in your lab or classroom space?
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Print off our reminder cards, or email us at greenlabs@ahec.edu for assistance.
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Laboratory Recycling
Did you know that plastic films, such as bubble wrap and plastic bags, can now be recycled and turned into Colorado roads through the Auraria Sustainable Campus Program’s Hard-2-Recycle initiative? The ASCP is expanding its recycling services in the North and Science buildings through our new Green Labs Program.
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What type of plastic can be recycled?
View our plastic film recycling guide here.
Green Labs Team
Our current Green Labs team is leading the launch of the new My Green Labs Certification pilot program here on Auraria Campus. The program is aimed at evaluating how behavior changes within the laboratory setting can help reduce our campus emissions. The insights gained from this pilot program will inform the potential expansion of the My Green Labs Certification process to help encourage sustainable practices in our labs campus-wide!
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Erin Burke
Auraria Sustainable Campus Program Green Labs Organizer
Marino J. Resendiz
Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry
University of Colorado - Denver
Amy Hopkins
Biology Lab Manager
Community College of Denver
Sarah Schliemann and Randi Brazeau
Professors of Environmental Science, Metropolitan State University - Denver
Pamela M. Nagafuji
Laboratory Coordinator
Department of Chemistry
University of Colorado -Denver
One Additional Lab Coming Soon
Metropolitan State University - Denver
Become a Certified Green Lab
We are excited to announce that we have launched the My Green Lab Certification 2.0
pilot on the Auraria Campus. Various labs from the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the University of Colorado Denver are all working to implement best laboratory practices to promote sustainability across campus.
To get involved, email greenlabs@ahec.edu.
Additional Resources
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​​Code to Track Computing Emissions
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Purchasing new equipment? Use Energy Star
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Need Snorkel Stopper or Fume Hood “Shut the Sash” signage? Email greenlabs@ahec.edu to inquire!
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Aerators can be found on sinks in your laboratory building. They range from 0.5gpm up to 2.2gpm. For more information, please contact facilities.
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Does your lab need water purification? - Make every drop count!
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Interested in recycling or waste diversion in laboratory space? Contact greenlabs@ahec.edu
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CU Furniture Swap
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Interested in signage to add to your lab (Fume hood reminders, snorkel stopper signage, etc.)? Please contact greenlabs@ahec.edu