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In a two-day series of events, from networking lunches to art activities and bowling, the °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï’s Masters of the Environment (MENV) celebrated its 10th anniversary.  The festivities culminated at

In Fall 2025, 78 Masters of the Environment (MENV) graduate students completed 26 capstone projects with external partner organizations, investing more than 46,800 hours in advancing sustainability and climate action across Colorado and beyond. The

CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï’s MENV program has spent more than a decade pairing graduate students with community partners on sustainability capstone projects that address needs local organizations may not otherwise have the capacity to tackle. Recent projects supported BVSD’s district-wide decarbonization plan, assessed the market for regionally native plants in °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï County, strengthened °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï County Farmers Markets’ food hub, and advanced sustainability planning for °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï Theater and Fox Theater. Together, the examples show how MENV capstones create practical, lasting impact across schools, landscapes, food systems, and cultural venues in °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï and beyond.

MENV students are launching their summer Capstone Projects, partnering with organizations to tackle real-world sustainability challenges. At an April event, 25 teams presented project plans, highlighting collaboration, peer learning, and diverse approaches. Now in its tenth year, the Capstone connects nearly 80 students with public and private partners. Following presentations and feedback, teams will finalize scopes and begin work, delivering actionable sustainability solutions across Colorado and beyond.

Natalie Ooi, a teaching professor who is the director of the Masters of the Environment (MENV) program and leads the Sustainability in the Outdoor Industry specialization, studies sustainable tourism and recreation economies. CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï Today recently spoke with Ooi about why this season stands out, how towns built around outdoor recreation can adapt, and what longer-term conversations communities across the Mountain West and beyond should be having.

CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï’s Masters of the Environment (MENV) capstone program is advancing Colorado’s clean energy transition through real-world projects on energy storage, building decarbonization and electrification. By partnering with industry and government, students produce actionable research that informs policy, investment and workforce development supporting Colorado’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040.

The Masters of the Environment (MENV) Graduate Program is CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï’s flagship environmental and sustainability professional graduate program. To provide our students with the best opportunities for honing their skills in

CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï's Masters of the Environment (MENV) program partners with Colorado communities through capstone projects and coursework to build local government capacity, advance sustainability and resilience initiatives, and provide students with hands-on professional experience.

Gregor MacGregor gets bored if he sits behind a desk for too long. His energy seems boundless. That’s key because MacGregor’s interests are vast, and his personal ethos about service transcends the personal and professional.  

In a capstone project partnership with the °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï Watershed Collective, Masters of the Environment students study what it means to live alongside beavers