Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station 

University Services Center, Room 408C
601 South Howes Street
(970) 491-5371

Agricultural research has been part of Colorado State University (CSU) since the institution’s beginning. In 1888, the Colorado General Assembly established the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) as the contributor to the federally-created state agricultural experiment station system established by the Hatch Act, currently encompassing all fifty states and United States territories.

The CAES is an integral part of CSU and a unit within the College of Agricultural Sciences. The Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station creates and disseminates knowledge related to agriculture and natural resources with the overarching goal of enhancing economic viability and environmental sustainability in ways that are socially acceptable.  Further, the CAES applies this knowledge to solving practical problems of producers and consumers. 

The CAES supports faculty, staff, and students across CSU who conduct research on crop and livestock production, food systems, and natural resources problems. Our research is conducted in Fort Collins in seven of eight colleges, in more than 15 academic departments, and at nine off-campus research centers located throughout the state. The CAES is not a place but rather is an administrative umbrella that oversees research programs taking place on campus and at seven research centers across Colorado. These research centers are the Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center (ARDEC) near Fort Collins, the Arkansas Valley Research Center in Rocky Ford, the Eastern Colorado Research Center in Akron, the Plainsman Research Center in Walsh, the San Luis Valley Research Center in Center, the Southwestern Research Center in Yellow Jacket, and the Western Colorado Research Center with locations near Orchard Mesa, Roger's Mesa, and Fruita.

Agricultural research programs include the traditional areas of producing and processing food products such as wheat, beef, potatoes, fruits, and vegetables, as well as discovering how foods and diets influence human nutrition and health, new kinds of textiles we wear, the ornamental plants and gardens we enjoy, and sustainable use of rangelands where high-quality water comes from and which support grazing livestock and wildlife.

The CAES partners with CSU Extension, industry, schools, and any others who can help get new information and technologies into the hands of those who need it.

Colorado State Forest Service 

State Office located at 3843 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 491-6303

The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) is a service and outreach agency of the Warner College of Natural Resources and provides staffing for the Division of Forestry within the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Headquartered in Fort Collins and with 17 field offices throughout the state, the mission of the CSFS is "to achieve stewardship of Colorado’s diverse forest environments for the benefit of present and future generations". The CSFS is organized into four management areas and is staffed by approximately 105 full- and part-time employees and more than 100 seasonal employees. The CSFS provides forestry outreach and education and administers forest management programs and projects, treating thousands of acres of forestland every year. The agency works with landowners, communities, and government agencies to improve forest health and resilience to wildfire, climate change, insects, and diseases. The CSFS also grows and distributes seedling trees and shrubs for reforestation and other conservation purposes, and assists the forest products harvesting and manufacturing industries to increase utilization of Colorado wood. 

Colorado Water Center

The Colorado Water Center is one of 54 Water Resources Research Institutes created by the Water Resources Act of 1964, which collectively form the National Institutes for Water Resources. As a division under CSU’s Office of Engagement and Extension, the Center aims to connect all water expertise in Colorado’s higher education system with research and education needs of Colorado’s water managers and users, building on the rich water history at Colorado State University. The Center leads interdisciplinary research, education, and outreach to address complex and evolving water-related challenges by fostering collaboration between higher education and water stakeholders, synthesizing objective water knowledge to inform decision-making, and inspiring the next generation of water leaders. 

Environmental Learning Center 

  • Offices in Michael Smith Natural Resources Building, Room 103
  • Program site at 2400 South County Road 9 Ft. Collins, CO 80525
  • (970) 491-1661

Staff of the Environmental Learning Center (ELC) work to connect people with nature by facilitating educational, inclusive and safe experiences in the natural environment. The ELC provides a diversity of programs to groups throughout the community. This includes public schools, scout troops, CSU groups, service organizations, and many others.

Extension

Offices in University Square, Room 102
(970) 491-6281

Colorado State University Extension (CSUE) empowers Coloradans to address important and emerging community needs using dynamic, science-based educational resources. For over 100 years, CSUE has helped people find the answers they need, bringing the University’s research-based resources to local communities. CSUE has offices across Colorado and serves all 64 counties.  

Part of CSU’s Office of Engagement and Extension, CSUE’s outreach supports their land-grant mission, with a focus across a broad range of needs and critical areas including economic & community development, food & agriculture, health & well-being, natural resources & sustainability, and youth & family.

Through the CSUE internship program, students from across CSU colleges engage in outreach projects in communities across the state. Intern experiences combine research, program delivery and dissemination efforts with hands-on learning.