Penley Panel

Colorado State University’s reach this month covers immense ground – the plains, the forests, the mountains, and the atmosphere – with a decidedly collaborative bent.

Internationally, we report that a ground-breaking partnership with the U.K.-based Shell Foundation and Envirofit International Ltd. will use clean-stove technology developed at Colorado State to reduce deaths in developing nations caused by indoor air pollution.

Nationally, a CSU grassroots project is still going strong. Nearly 10 years, 5,500 volunteers, and 22 states later, the volunteer Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network based out of Colorado State continues to recruit volunteer weather observers throughout the country – last month enlisting observers from Florida. These volunteers provide important precipitation data used by scientists, flood control districts, and emergency managers across the country.

Regionally, a new oil-crush and biodiesel production plant, San Juan Biodiesel, broke ground. Although thousands of acres of sunflowers appear to be this story’s focus, the project more accurately reflects a successful years-long collaboration of farmers, investors, lenders, and local governments from Colorado to Utah.

Statewide, forest-restoration projects have been selected to protect Colorado’s critical water supplies and forests. Together, our Colorado senators and representatives worked to pass legislation to support the future of one of our state’s most visible and important natural resources.

Through such collaborative efforts, Colorado State continues to be true to its historic land-grant mission and its vision as a premier research university, providing a balanced approach to teaching, research, extension, and public service for residents of Colorado, the nation, and the world.

Thank you for joining us.

Larry Edward Penley
Chancellor and President