Caring for the Environment – We have been educating ourselves and others about the environment and how to properly care for it since the property was purchased in 1948. Of the 6,000 acres of land belonging to the COEC, 400 acres are utilized by The Nature Place where our visitors stay and staff reside. We strive to continuously learn of new techniques and technologies we can introduce or upgrade in order to improve our stewardship of the business and responsibility to the land.

Learning from the Natural World – Our ‘Leadership Perspective’ program has been designed to provide valuable views on the natural world. We offer our guests access to a full-time naturalist, and the opportunity to be led on nature hikes to learn more about our fauna and flora, Colorado geology, and astronomy.

Building Construction and Remodeling – We recently completed the remodeling of our original apartment suites through the concise use of sustainable practices and materials. We incorporated recycled content carpet, Low E windows, and energy efficient heaters  into the apartments. Our Sportsplex facility and three other buildings produce a percentage of our electricity from photovoltaic panels. As opportunities to upgrade our facilities arise, we continue to discover the most sustainable practices to solve our needs.

Land and Forest Restoration – Since 2005, we have worked with the State of Colorado Forest Service, Pike National Forest and the Coalition of the Upper South Platte to mitigate over 160 acres of forest to successfully improve the forest health and reduce wildfire risk. As time and opportunity allow, we are utilizing more Xeriscape practices in our landscaping on campus in order to reduce our water usage and to be more sustainable.

Green Purchasing – We make environmentally conscious product purchases where possible. Our kitchen purchases organic and local foods when requested by a group, and any paper towels, cups, or napkins are made of 100% recycled material. In addition, we use non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning products, and chlorine-free projects when possible and appropriate. Our Housekeeping use Greenworks cleaning products, and our commercial launders use 100% biodegradable detergent. The Nature Place buys in bulk to reduce our carbon footprint, as well as using LED light bulbs where possible to avoid CFLs, installing timers on our exterior lighting, and purchasing energy star approved appliances. 

Recycling – Along with the effort of the entire COEC community, The Nature Place recycles cardboard, aluminum, cans, paper, glass, plastic, computers, and scrap metal. We repurpose any worn towels, mattresses, blankets and linens when we can.