CSU System think tanks and consortia pull together experts and communities to solve problems and inspire the future.
The System has an ever-growing number of initiatives focused on thought-leadership and interdisciplinary work with experts to provide movement and solutions on some of the biggest global issues.
These entities each focus around a topic of importance to the global community, and bring together a wide range of stakeholders to explore, inform, and engage around these issues.
Center for the New Energy Economy
Founded in 2011 as a department of CSU, Colorado’s 41st Governor, Bill Ritter, Jr. leads the Center for the New Energy Economy, assisted by a team of energy and environmental policy experts. The Center works directly with governors, legislators, regulators, utilities, and stakeholders by providing technical and strategic assistance to help decision makers create policies that facilitate America’s transition to a clean energy economy.
Colorado Futures Center
The Colorado Futures Center is an independent, nonpartisan, and academically grounded 501 c 3 organization dedicated to informing about economic, fiscal, and public policy issues impacting community economic health and quality of life in Colorado and beyond.
North American Agricultural Advisory Network
The North American Agricultural Advisory Network (NAAAN) is a formal network supported by high-level agriculture leadership in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. focused on improving, advancing, and linking agricultural advisory services in North America. Through its membership in the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS), the NAAAN connects with its counterparts around the world. The NAAAN is hosted by the Colorado State University System and offices out of CSU Spur campus, working to meet global grand challenges around water, food, and health.
Salazar Center for North American Conservation
The CSU Salazar Center for North American Conservation supports and advances the health and connectivity of the natural systems and landscapes of North America in order to support climate adaptation and resilience, protect biodiversity, and support long-term human health. An intersectional approach builds bridges that connect academic research, community practice, and policy development.
The Center is led by former US Secretary of Interior, US Senator, and Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar, and will be housed at the CSU System Spur campus at the National Western Center.
Together We Grow
Together We Grow is an agribusiness consortium made up of major agricultural commodities companies, educational institutions, nonprofits, and others committed to building the agribusiness workforce of tomorrow. The consortium sponsors research and provides a platform to share best practices for building future workforce capacity.
The organization is expanding its reach by establishing the Center for an Enhanced Workforce in Agriculture at the CSU Spur campus at the National Western Center.