Sustainability

Dining and Hospitality Services (DHS) is committed to making well-thought-out, strategic choices in purchasing and operational decision-making with the goal of not compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

• 70% plant based, 30% meat.
• 20% more whole grain.
• 10% reduction of plastic bottled beverages.
• Reduction of pre-packaged bakery items, and increase fresh bakery items from the UCCS bakery without preservatives.
• Natural food coloring only.
• Reduction of processes foods and increase of scratch cooked menu items.
• Reduction of trash, sodium and sugar by removing canned fruit from all menus.

• Plant forward first
• Cage-free Shell eggs
• Organic salad greens and spinach when available
• Local Coffee Roasters- Loyal Coffee
• ABF Beef from Frontier National
• Produce is Sourced From Local Farms First
• rBGH free Dairy
• Bread from Harvest Moon Bakery
• Clyde’s Beers and Wine are Crafted in Colorado
• Small local producers like Rocky Mountain Soda, Real Sugar Soda, Teatulia Tea, Boulder Chips, Microvora
• Focusing menus around plant based items and fresh vegetables. 

• All Dining is Trayless
• Compostable paper and plastic ware
• Agave Straws
• No Styrofoam
• Local green chemicals

• All dining operations compost pre and post-consumer waste, either on-campus or through commercial operators.
• Food waste audits are conducted on an ongoing basis in Residential Dining*
• Perishable food is donated to UCCS's food pantry Clyde's Cupboard.
• Catering Compost is used at the UCCS Farm
• Coffee grounds are composted at the UCCS Farm

• Our Roaring Fork Dining Hall is certified LEED Gold.
• New equipment or updates include smart hood systems, Energy Star appliances, and LED and motion-sensor lighting.

• Recycle all materials such as cans, cardboard, plastics (1-7) and glass.

We work with Front-Range Grease to recycle fryer oil. DHS supports the Colorado Springs community by donating unconsumed food to the Colorado Springs Food Rescue. The Rescue delivers food to one of 50 organizations and groups they serve, including shelters, low-income elderly housing, low-income working families, and school food programs. Learn more about the great work the Rescue does at the Colorado Springs Food Rescue website. Learn more about other UCCS Services and how they are connected to Dining and Hospitality Services.