Colorado State University Plans National Western Center Campus

Colorado State University will break ground in early 2020 on the $200 million National Western Center Campus in Denver. The 250-acre site will be redeveloped to house three new buildings accommodating research and experiential education programs on global issues including water, food, sustainability, and human and animal health.

Designed by Hord Coplan Macht and SmithGroup, the CSU Water Building will house the Western Water Policy Institute, the Salazar Center for North American Conservation, and a water compliance lab for Denver Water. The building will feature interdisciplinary innovation and incubation space, teaching and research labs, data analysis and visualization suites, and areas for professional development and K-12 education courses. 

The CSU Center for Food and Agriculture is being designed by Anderson Mason Dale with Research Facilities Design (RFD) as laboratory design consultant. Accommodating food systems research, the center will provide classrooms, labs, food sensory testing areas, a teaching and commissary kitchen, a K-12 agricultural discovery center, and venues for events and performances. The facility will house the Denver Metro Extension Center, the CSU Metro Experiment Station, and the Denver Engagement Hub. 

The Clark Enersen Partners is the architect for the CSU Animal Health Complex, which will provide collaborative research and education facilities for programs in animal and human health. The Temple Grandin Equine Center and the Small Animal Community Outreach Clinic will be located in the center, which will include an equine sports medicine clinic, an equine-assisted therapy and activity hub, K-12 educational areas, and living space for veterinary students and research associates.

The construction manager for all three buildings is JE Dunn. Occupancy of the new campus is expected in 2022.