The three higher-education institutions on the
Auraria Campus are creating a model for collaborative projects between the downtown Denver business community and the schools.
The 5th Street Hub at 1224 Fifth St. is aimed at exemplifying sustainability by connecting economic development, social responsibility and environmental stewardship in the heart of downtown Denver.
Located in an old 10,000-square-foot warehouse adjacent to the new light-rail line, The Hub helps students with inventions to engage with the Denver business community.
"We truly view these skilled individuals as the future workforce of Denver, so we want to take every opportunity we can to celebrate the value of the Auraria Campus and the role that it plays in the future success of Denver," says Barb Weiske, executive vice president of administration and chief executive of the Auraria Higher Education Center. "The intent is to bring together a bunch of different entities that are based on sustainable industry."
The
University of Colorado Denver’s College of Engineering and Applied Science is developing a design and fabrication facility for road vehicles to support a proposed sustainable automotive engineering and motor sports program.
The CU Denver program is collaborating with
Metropolitan State University of Denver's biodiesel production and research initiative, which refines used grease from restaurants into fuel for use in its race cars.
The
Community College of Denver is creating a new curriculum of study in the area of sustainability to help the Auraria Campus with sustainability-related projects and outreach on the campus. Proposals are reviewed to support potential projects in energy efficiency, alternative transportations, water conservation, food and gardens, renewable energy and waste diversion.
Contact Confluence Denver Development News Editor Margaret Jackson with tips and leads for future stories at margaret@confluence-denver.com.
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