TheColoradoCollege'sStateoftheRockiesProjectencouragesstudentstofurthertheir academic interests in the ecological, social, and economic challenges of living in the RockyMountainWest.Studentsembarkoninter-disciplinaryinvestigationsaroundthe region to discover the possibilities for balancing human activity without spoiling the natural environment. We seek to deepen our understanding of the natural world and howtobestmanageourresourcesforfuturegenerations,humanandnon-livingbeings.
This edition of the Anthropogenic magazine links student research to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals to further elevate the impact that State of the Rockiesstudentshaveonsustainablemanagementandpolicyrecommendations.
Visit www.stateoftherockies.com for a complete version of the magazine.
StateoftheRockiesProject
stateoftherockies
rockies@coloradocollege.edu
http://stateoftherockies.com/
Front Cover: Stubborn Tree | by Tomas Michelangeli, ‘28 | State of the Rockies Conservation in the West 2025 Student Photo 2 place contest winner. nd
Page, Arizona
Photo by Macy McCauley, '25
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Cyndy Hines
chines@coloradocollege.edu
‘25
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
FROM: Loveland, CO
MAJOR: Education
HOBBIES: painting, swimming, hiking, reading
FUN FACT: I am learning to speak Norwegian!
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Libby Cutler, ‘26
Waverly Fisher, ‘27
Lily Frost, ‘26
FROM: Scituate, MA
MAJOR: Environmental Studies
HOBBIES: Skiing, yoga, hiking, ceramics, swimming
FUN FACT: I have been scuba diving with sharks!
Theo Casper, ‘28
: Boston, MA : International Political Economy
Yoga, music, skiing, hiking, playing cards
FUN FACT: I love to host dinner parties!
FROM: Boulder, CO
MAJOR: Environmental Studies
HOBBIES: Writing, listening to music, exploring the outdoors
FUN FACT: I recently learned how to make stained glass art pieces at the CC art studio!
FROM: Berkeley, CA
MAJOR: Organismal Biology & Ecology
HOBBIES: Foraging for wild things, kayaking, and fiber arts
FUN FACT: I love baking bread!
FROM: Chicago, IL
MAJOR: Creative Writing
HOBBIES: Hiking, skiing, swimming, and listening to music
FUN FACT: I am an avid gardener.
FROM: Brooklyn, NY
MAJOR: Environmental Science
HOBBIES: Skiing, rollerblading, playing soccer
FUN FACT: I love collaborating on creative projects with others!
Alison Mueller - Hickler, ‘26
FROM: Katy, TX
MAJOR: Environmental Science
HOBBIES: Running, hiking, reading
FUN FACT: I have an identical twin sister.
FROM: Chevy Chase, MD
MAJOR: Organismal Biology and Ecology
HOBBIES: Playing ultimate frisbee and soccer, wild swimming
FUN FACT: I’ve lived in the Amazon rainforest!
Macy McCauley,
Annie O’Neill, ‘26
Alice O’Neal-Freeman
In Memory of Natalie Gubbay, ‘20
Thiseditionofthe Anthropogenic magazineisdedicatedto Natalie Gubbay, a 2020 graduate and 2019 State of the Rockies fellow. Natalie’s life was tragically cut short in 2024. We will remember Natalie for her “extraordinary passion, intellect, curiosity, and purpose” (Colorado College Spirit of Adventure Award,awardedInMemoriamin2025).
A note from Natalie’s advisor, former State of the Rockies Project Director, Corina McKendry and co-fellow, Ethan Greenberg, ‘20.
It feels cliché to say that Natalie Gubbay lit up the room. But it’s also true. She had a contagious smile that I saw shine most brightly in her loveoflearning.Discussingresearchideas,solvingamathproblemjust for fun (she once calculated the likelihood that her snack pack of Skittles was only two colors!), or giving others feedback on the work theyweredoing,shewastrulyadelightfulpersontobearound.Natalie had a deep and genuine curiosity that was contagious. She was also brave, engaging in research outside her experience and comfort zone to pursuequestionsshewasexcitedabout.
I served as the Director of the State of the Rockies Project from 2018 through 2022. As she was a 2019-2020 State of the Rockies Fellow, I had the privilege of working with Natalie on her Rockies research. Her research project was on the capacity of Colorado’s agricultural communities to respond to drought. Though acknowledging the real challenges that agricultural communities face, she was particularly interested in highlighting the strengths of each community. This “assets-based” approach to community development is vital in that it recognizes that every community has important strengths – be that strong local leadership, community cohesion and networks, economic diversification, and more. Drawing on various publicly available datasets as well as interviews, Natalie’s research illuminated the strengths of each and how these strengths could be enhanced to further counties’ resilience in the face of drought and other disturbances. We were able to publish her research in a peer-reviewed academic journal –anotableaccomplishmentforundergraduateresearch.Shealsowrote up summaries of her findings for each of the counties, providing data thatseveralofthemsaidwouldbeusefulinapplyingforthegrantsthey needed to enhance their adaptation capacities. She wanted her work to makeadifferenceinpeople’slives,anditdid.
Natalie’s death is infuriating and heartbreaking. But I will always rememberherasasmiling,brilliantstudentwithaloveoflearningand a joyful presence. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to work withherasaStateoftheRockiesFellow.
AsummerasaStateoftheRockiesresearchwaschallengingattimes-academic research can be amorphous and slow-going. But I recall Natalie was always smiling, keen to learn more on her next field trip, ready for an outdoor or intellectual adventure. And she embraced the challengeofthatsummerbyselectingafascinatingbutclearlydifficult research project, combining qualitative interviews with quantitative methodsforaresearchprojectonresilienceinruralcommunities.
When Natalie would present her research in meetings, you got the sense that she had that special combination of a brilliant mind and a heartthatwantedtouseitforgood.
~ Ethan Greenburg, ‘20
Natalie Gubbay, ‘20 | Photo courtesy of the Gubbay family.
Natalie Gubbay, ’20, at 2019 annual Colorado College’s SCORE Conference | Photo courtesy of Corina McKendry.
Students embrace at the State of the Rockies Data Viz Nite in April 2025 | Photo by Macy McCauley, ‘25
2025 FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Waldo Canyon Trunk | Photo by Macy McCauley, '25
ColoradoSummerInterns(Leftto
Making an Impact at the Colorado State Legislature: Colorado College’s Social Action Institute
By Alison Mueller-Hickler, ‘26
This past summer, Colorado College seniors Alondra Valdez, Hadit Poveda Morales, Sarah Ichinose, and Grinnell College’s Luke Hoffman worked with the ColoradoCollegeSocialActionInstituteto supportConservationColorado’sExtreme Temperatures Campaign. These students conducted research investigating and analyzing environmental impacts on Colorado Worker’s health. The cumulation of this internship includes several extensive research reports and a memorandum to Governor Jared Polis titled: “New Legislation to Provide Protections for Workers in Extreme TemperaturesinColorado.”
Conservation Colorado is an environmental organization dedicated to protecting Colorado's environment and bringing people into policy. Throughout the summer, the four students participated in community engagement, governmentaffairs,andorganizingteams
onanadvocacy-basedprojectfocusingon extreme temperatures and its effects on Colorado's workforce, with a particular emphasis on environmental justice and theLatinocommunity.
Acting under Conservation Colorado the memorandum details urgency for the development of worker health standards throughtheDepartmentofHealthandthe Environment to ensure minimal risk to workers in the event of extreme temperatureconditions.
Policyrecommendationsinclude: Including specific time and temperature guidelines to ensure feasibleimplementation. Consolidating and simplifying legislative language for clarity and efficiency. Creatinganewfundfromtherevenue of enforcing procedures to lower governmentcosts.
Beyond the memorandum, Alondra, Sarah,andHaditcollaboratedwithtwoof Conservation Colorado’s teams: political affairs and community engagement. Each team brought a unique perspective to the students. In Political Affairs, the students had the chance to participate in policy researchandbillimprovement. With Community Engagement, they participatedintablingevents,one-on-one meetings with co-workers and collaborators, outreach, fundraising, and organizedtestimonies.
When asked about their internship with the Social Action Institute and Conservation Colorado, the students felt overwhelminglythatitwasapositiveand developmental experience. Alondra said thatherfavoritepartwashowshefeltlike theyweremakinganimpactthatcouldbe felt beyond just Conservation Colorado and Colorado College. She stated that the internshipreaffirmedthatshewantedto
Colorado College Conservation
right: Sarah Ichinose, Hadit Poveda Morales, Luke Hoffman, and Alondra Valdez | Photo by JazBoehmke
go into a career focusing on environmental policy post-graduation. Theystudentswerementoredbyavariety of individuals who experienced varied career trajectories to get to Conservation Colorado, which Alondra expressed was extremely important to see as someone who is about to graduate college. Sarah expressed that it was fascinating to have some insight into the “building blocks of policy” and the complexities that are behind getting a bill from drafting to the agendaoftheColoradoStateLegislature.
Hadit also reaffirmed her interest in environmental policy work, especially the early stages of policy research and development. She mentioned that she really “admires the people who dedicate their lives” to community outreach and education as well. Overall, it was a very “eyeopeningexperience”foreveryone. Alondra, Hadit, and Sarah also wanted to take a moment to recognize their fourth coworker from the summer, Luke Hoffman, a rising sophomore economics majoratGrinnell.Theysaidthatheisvery interested in environmental economics and the fiscal side of policy. Alondra expressed that it was impactful “to have someoneontheteam”whowasoutsideof the “CC bubble” and “our pace of life.” They all emphasized that the collaboration with someone who did not function on the block plan was insightful and also helped their career trajectories. Allthreestudentssaidthattheywerevery close with one another by the end of the summer and would highly recommend theinternshipprogram.
You can read Conservation Colorado’s Memorandum, “New Legislation to Provide Protections for Workers in Extreme Temperatures in Colorado,” here: Conservation Colorado Student Extreme TempsPolicyMemoFinal.
Colorado College Social Action Institute
The Colorado College Social Action Instituteisa6weekmentoredinternship program emphasizing student engagement in activist and/or advocacy work that aims to uphold/construct participatory democracy by addressing the criminalization of immigrant communities, low-wage workers, and othervulnerablepopulations.
Students affiliated with the Colorado College Social Action Institute worked with Conservation Colorado in Denver, a leading environmental organization dedicated to protecting Colorado's environment and bringing people into policy. 4 students (3 from Colorado College and 1 from Grinnell College) participated in this program track with Conservation Colorado. The students worked closely with the government affairs team at Conservation Colorado focusing on their extreme temperatures campaign, an effort emphasizing the effects of extreme temperatures on Colorado's workforce, with a particular emphasis on environmental justice and the Latino community. Conservation Colorado did introduce a bill in the most recent legislative session (HB25-1286); however, the bill did not advance this year. Conservation Colorado staff identified the need to conduct additional research and outreach work to build additional support to advance the bill in 2026. The organization asked the studentstoconductthisresearch,critique the bill in its current form, and write a formal policy memo to Governor Polis as part of the campaign and in preparation for the next legislative session. Students hadtopresentthepolicymemotostaffat Conservation Colorado. Additionally, students participated in workshops (community organizing, storytelling, tabling, and public outreach) with Conservation Colorado staff members workinginotherunitsoftheorganization including Political Affairs, Community Engagement,andOrganizing.
Above: United Nations 17 Development Goals #11: SustainableCitiesandCommunities.
Below: United Nations 17 Development Goals #13: ClimateAction.
Meet the Team: 2025 Colorado College Social Action Institute
Eric Popkin, Associate Professor of Sociology
Eric Popkin is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Colorado College. He teaches courses that focus on the sociology of global development and migration. Throughout his career, he has emphasized field and community engaged courses teaching in 7 countries in Latin America.HisresearchhasfocusedonCentralAmericantransnationalmigration,specifically howimmigrantorganizationsintheUSconnectwiththeircountriesoforiginandtheextent to which this interaction shapes their political engagement in the U.S. Much of his research involves qualitative fieldwork in Central America and in immigrant communities in the US. Heisco-founderandinitialdirectoroftheColoradoCollegeCenterforCivicEngagementand currently is the founding director of the Colorado College Social Action Institute. The programcollaboratesdirectlywithcommunity-basedorganizationsintheU.S.Southwest.
Hadit Poveda-Morales, ‘26
HaditisanEnvironmentalStudiesmajorwithaPoliticalScienceminor.ShejoinedtheSocial Action Institute this past summer because she wanted to learn how community-driven advocacycancreatetangibleenvironmentalandsocialchange.
Alondra decided to be part of the Social Action Institute this summer because, as an EnvironmentalStudiesandSouthwestStudiesmajor,shewantedtogethandsonexperience withenvironmentalpolicyworkintheregionshehasbeenstudyingandlivinginforthepast coupleofyears.Beingabletoworkonenvironmentalpolicyforthecommunitiesthatneedit themostissomethingthatshewantedtobepartof.
Sarah Inchinose, ‘26
Sarah is a sociology major and feminist and gender studies minor. She participated in the Social Action Institute because she wanted to lean about and support social change outside ofColoradoCollege.
Alondra Valdez, ‘26
Odessa Lake Trail | Photo by Macy McCauley, '25
2025 Faculty-Student Dark Skies Investigations
ByLibbyCutler,‘25
2024 Faculty-led Rockies Research Projects
Faculty: Michelan Wilson Student: Maram Mohammed, ‘28
This project examines the ecological and economic impacts of light pollution on aquatic ecosystems and fisheries. While light pollutionisoftenstudiedinurbansettings,itseffectsonaquatic habitats–suchasalteredfishbehaviorsanddisruptedbreeding cycles – are less understood. The goal of this paper is to utilize satellite data on artificial light at night (ALAN) and correlate it with fisheries data to assess potential impacts. Preliminary researchhasshownthatALANexposureincreasedfromcovering about23%ofFlorida’scoastalwaterswithin3nauticalmilesin 2012toapproximately29%in2024.InCalifornia,ALANexposure remainedrelativelystable,coveringabout18%ofcoastalwaters within 3 nautical miles in both 2012 and 2024. The next steps involveidentifyingfisheriesonthecoastofFloridaandCalifornia andcarryingouteconomicanalysisontheimpact.Thisresearch aims to inform conservation strategies and urban planning policiesthatmitigateecologicaldisruption.
Faculty: Guanyi Yang & Andres Azqueta-Gavaldon Student: Ella Reese-Clauson, ‘26
This summer, Ella is continuing work she started last summer using Dark Sky Satellite data in conjunction with the National VitalStatisticsSystem(NVSS)dataset,themostcompletedataon births in the United States, to study the impact of exposure to artificial light during pregnancy on infant health. Through a combination of linear regressions and machine learning techniques, she is looking at the association between increased exposure of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) with a lower gestational length, decreased birth weight, and increased NICU admissions, a series of fetal health impacts that are correlated with various maternal health indicators stemming, too, from heightened ALAN exposure. Amidst a growing body of research linking light pollution to general adverse health effects, scholarship on the impacts of this radiance on fetal health is insufficient.Thisresearchseekstobridgethatgap,advancingour understandingofenvironmentalfactorsinfluencinginfantwellbeing and potentially contributing to the development of targetedinterventionsforhealthierearlychildhooddevelopment.
MeganO’Brien,‘25
Dark Skies Team
Ella Reese-Clauson, ‘26
Ella Reese-Clauson is a senior from Chicago, Illinois studying International Political EconomyatColoradoCollege.Beyondhermajor,shelovesmathanddatascience.Sheis passionate about the environment, attending the UN’s COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan as well as SB62 virtually; heading Colorado College’s Proxy Voting Committee; and co-leading Colorado College’s reinvestment coalition. Her research interestscenteraroundtheenvironmentandpublichealth.Outsideoftheclassroom,she loves to stay active in her free time, playing on Colorado College’s club ultimate frisbee andsoccerteams.
Maram Mohamed, ‘28
Maram is a double major in Economics and Political Science, with a strong passion for environmental science. Her interest in sustainability began at the age of 15 when she developed a plastic recycling machine capable of crushing and filtering plastic waste. Since then, she has been involved in sustainability-focused projects, some of which incorporated robotics to address environmental challenges. Driven by a desire to combine her environmental interests with her academic focus in economics, she is currentlyworkingonaresearchprojectwithDr.GuanyiYangandDr.MichelanWilson. The project investigates the direct relationship between dark skies, water quality, and aquatic ecosystems. Through this research, Maram aims to explore the economic and ecological impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) on diverse aquatic environments, analyze the relationship between dark skies and water quality, and develop recommendationstomitigatelightpollutionandprotectaquaticlife.
Guanyi Yang, Professor
Guanyi Yang is a computational macroeconomist whose research focuses on inequality and labor market frictions. His work explores the impact of these frictions on welfare lossduringrecessionsandthefactorsthatcontributetoincomeandwealthinequalities overtime.GrowingupinaminingtowninChinahasgivenhimauniqueperspectiveon the anthropogenic impact of resource extraction on local communities, which informs hisresearchoneconomicdevelopmentandcommunitywell-beingintheRockiesregion. Through his work, Guanyi seeks to deepen our understanding of the relationship between economic policies, development practices, and the social and environmental landscapeoftheRockiesregion.
Michelan Wilson, Professor
Dr. Michelan Wilson is an assistant professor in the Economics and Business Departmentandanenvironmentalandresourceeconomist.Herresearchfocusesonthe valuationoftheenvironmentasaninputinproduction.Herworkexplorestheimpactof environmental degradation on societal welfare, and the environmental justice implications of pollution and environmental policies. She is also interested in working with community organizations on answering environment-related questions that are important to them. Michelan is from Jamaica, where she received her Bachelor’s and Masters in Economics. She received her PhD in Economics with environmental and natural resource concentration from the Department of Economics at Colorado State University.ShejoinedColoradoCollegein2023.
Photo of Light Pollution | Public Domain Image
QUESTION
Globally,nighttimeilluminationis increasing.Thisphenomenon,referred tocommonlyaslightpollutionand scientificallyas Artificial Light At Night (ALAN),hasraisedconcerns aboutitspotentialhealthimpacts.This studyinvestigateshowprenatal exposuretoALANmayinfluencebirth outcomes.
Sydney Morris, ‘24 sampling site S11 in the area burned in day one of the Waldo Canyon fire. | Photo by Maren Greene, ‘25
The Top Environmental Concerns of Colorado College Students: Survey Returns
By Alison Mueller-Hickler, ‘26
The State of the Rockies conducted its 15thannualConservationintheWest15 poll that surveys registered voters’ bith
Western voters also want to keep public lands in public hands: 65 percent oppose transferring ownership of national public
Anthropogenic, the State of the Rockies Project reported their findings from data collected during tabling events held acrossthe2023-2024academicyear.This
continued to ask “What do you think is the most pressing conservation concern today in the Rockies region?” and the resultsarein.
ColoradoCollegestudentsbelievethatthe number one issue facing the Rockies are wildfires(16%ofrespondents).Following close behind is the current legislation decreasingprotectionsforthe environment (14%), followed by a threeway tie between climate change (11%), water scarcity (11%), and wildlife (11%). This is a dramatic shift from the 2024 resultswhichhighlightedwaterasitstop issue(30%),forestfiressecond(15%),and land-use issues third (13%). It appears that the student body is more divided on the most pressing issues in the Rocky Mountain West region, and that the Trump Administration has increased anxieties and uncertainty around environmentalwellbeing.
For the Fall 2025 Anthropogenic, 129 student’sresponseswerecollectedacross two tabling events as opposed to the 112 responses across four tabling events in Fall2024.
Of the poll respondents, 54% were firstyears, 34% sophomores, 8% juniors, and 4% seniors. Majority (95%) of respondents had either never heard of State of the Rockies or knew very little about it before the tabling event. To reinforcethis,ofthe62%ofstudentssaid they were introduced to State of the Rockies from tabling events. The rest of the respondents either found out from posters around campus (26%), an employee(5%),StateoftheRockiesevent orInstagram(1%).
The 2025 Conservation in the West Poll results echo the concerns of Colorado College students regarding the longevity and protection of the environment, with 67%ofvotersreportingfeelingconcerned aboutthefutureofnature,meaningland, water,air,andwildlife.
Additionally, 85% of Western voters say issues involving clean water, clean air, wildlifeandpubliclandsareimportantin their decision of whether to support an electedofficial.
2025 Colorado College Conservation in the West Poll State Infographics
Instant Access: 15 years of Rockies poll data made visual
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS
Still Morning | Photo by Orion Cenkl, ‘27
Brian Hall, ‘07 and Carissa Look, ‘07
By Theo Casper, ‘28
BrianHall,‘07|PhotobyChuckKennedy
When I asked Brian Hall ‘07 and Carissa Look ’07 what advice they wished they would received as students hoping to make an impact on the world, they emphasized the importance of mutual encouragement, self-belief, and passionate curiosity as essential to buildingameaningfulpath.
Nearly20yearsafterworkingforStateof theRockies,BrianandCarissacontinueto incorporate what they did as student researchersintotheircareersandlives.
With a BA in environmental science, Carissaworkedasaseniorconsultantand projectmanagerforseveralhumanrights organizations and now plans to start a non-profit local to Martha’s Vineyard, wheresheresides.
Brian graduated with a BA in economics and soon discovered a passion for international connection as a U.S. diplomat. After 16 years of building bridges with foreign countries, he decided it was time to launch his own consulting company focused on helping clientsaccessforeignmarkets.Intheir
respective fields, both Brian and Carissa have achieved success while overcoming adversity and remain deeply grateful for theirexperiencewithStateoftheRockies.
From 2006–2007, Brian and Carissa collected data on rural and urban populations and individually published extensive articles on forest health and energy development in the Rocky Mountainregion.
While working on these projects, they each had several revelations about environmental work that shaped their careers. Carissa recalled the personal freedomandfacultysupportshereceived, which allowed her to fully explore her interests and pursue what she found “cool.” For Brian, the most poignant momentcameafterwatchingashortfilm featuring farmers—humanizing the lives of those often left out of the frame entirely.Individualfreedomandfostering relationships rooted in empathy have remained foundational principles throughouttheirlives.Overthecourseof that year, Brian and Carissa built a close friendshipthatcontinueswellbeyond
CarissaLook,‘07|PhotobyCarissaLook
their time at CC. This past spring, Brian andCarissareturnedtoCCforourannual Data Viz Night, delighted to find an environment that still reflected the spirit of State of the Rockies they knew years ago. The most striking change was the growing connectivity within the student body and the expanded scope of field researchcarriedoutthroughtheprogram.
As alumni, Brian and Carissa deeply admire the collective effort behind today’s State of the Rockies Project. They find it inspiring to see students confronting social inequality and embracing responsibility for the future of our environment— continuing the legacy they helped to shape.
Calaya Hudnut, ‘22
By Annabel Meyer, ‘26
Calaya Hudnut joined the State of the RockiesProjectinthespringofherjunior year at Colorado College. A studio art major, Hudnut was drawn to the 2021 Orange Skies project – an exhibit documenting and processing Colorado’s devastatingwildfiresthroughcommunity photography.
“We curated the photos, wrote descriptions, and even conducted interviewswithpeoplewhohadlosttheir homes,”Hudnutrecalls.“Therewasalso a podcast element. It was about more thantheart,itwasaboutgivingspacefor people to tell their stories.” Some of the exhibit later traveled to the Colorado SpringsPioneersMuseum.
Workingon Orange Skies wasaformative experience. “I came from more of an art perspective than a science perspective,” sheexplained,“buttheprojecttaughtme how to think about curation, collaboration, and public engagement. Those skills, putting together a show, doing outreach, and working with a community,areonesIstillusetoday.”
After graduating in 2022, Hudnut spent several months in Moab, Utah with CommunityRebuilds,anonprofitfocused
on affordable housing and natural building methods. There, she learned about sustainable, fire-resistant constructiontechniquesandthegrowing movementtointegratethemintobuilding codes.“Afterworkingon Orange Skies and hearingstoriesfrompeoplewholosttheir homes to fire, I think that connection stuck with me,” Hudnut said. “Natural building ties together resilience, sustainability,anddesign.”
Hudnut is now based in Los Angeles, where she balances her art practice with teaching. She works at Terra del Sol, a nonprofit art center for adults with disabilities. She helps students explore a wide range of mediums, including ceramics, painting, textiles, and more. “Every day is different,” she said. “Sometimes it’s helping someone get startedonanewpainting,othertimesit’s maintainingthespaceorguidingstudents through more long-term projects. It’s about supporting creativity in whatever formittakes.”
Outside of Terra del Sol, Hudnut continues to create and exhibit her own work.ShehasheldshowsinLosAngeles and Colorado Springs, sometimes in traditionalgalleryspaces,sometimesin
settings she organizes herself. She maintains a studio in L.A., where she continues experimenting with abstract forms influenced by the western landscapes she first engaged with at ColoradoCollege.
Reflecting on her journey, Hudnut emphasizes the importance of community,whetherthroughStateofthe Rockies,collaborativebuildingprojects,or herteaching.“WhenIgraduated,Ididn’t knowexactlywhatIwantedtodo.Ijust triedthings.Someweretemporary,someI stuck with, but I learned from all of them,”shesaid.
Her advice to current students: “prioritize community, keep creating, and trust that the skills you develop will carry forward in unexpected ways.”
Calaya at one of her exhbitions , Los Angeles, California. | Photo by Violet King Artwork on left: “Next quarter” | Artwork on right: “Wind at my door, complete me”
Delia Freliech, ‘23
By Alison Mueller-Hickler, ‘26 and Theo Casper, ‘28
Delia Freliech graduated from Colorado College in Spring 2023 with a BA in Environmental Science with a Chemistry emphasis. She is an individual who was crucialtotheexpansionoftheStateofthe Rockies Project, spearheading the first editionoftheAnthropogenicMagazinein Fall2022,workingcloselywithfellowCC students Samwel Makyao and Eric Ingram‘23.
Before joining State of the Rockies, Delia wasa“veryscience-mindedperson,”and working for the program “brought [her] moreintowritinganddesign”whichshe believes to have been an incredibly valuable experience. When speaking on her time at CC, Delia said that “Cyndy [Hines] really helped [her] through a lot of” the creative process, supporting her withthemagazine,stickers,posters,and tabling events across campus. “She trusted methroughalotofit.”
Delia now works as an Environment Consultantforaprivatecompanythat
worksoncontaminatedsitemanagement, for almost a year now. Before that, she workedasanenvironmentalchemistina lab. Following her time at Colorado College, Delia reflected that in jobs you willalwayseventuallypickupmoreroles thanyouinitially“signedonfor.”
The dynamic environment at the State of the Rockies Project taught Delia to embrace these changes and to even anticipate them enthusiastically. The blockplanis“sorealistictohowyourlife isaftercollege.”
Overall, Delia’s year and a half with the State of the Rockies Project transformed both her personal and professional lives. It was a unique opportunity that opened her up to new communities and developed new skills, all while pursuing her passion for the environment. For Delia, the skills that she worked on/gained through State of the Rockies never directly translated to the job descriptionsofthepositionsthatshe
worked for, “but it is always really interesting how [she] has always gone backtotalkabout[her]timewithStateof the Rockies in those positions.” She is constantlygratefulforhertimeatStateof the Rockies and thoughtful and supportive leadership and mentorship thatshereceivedfromCyndy.
Delia Freliech, ‘23
Sydney Morris, ‘24
By Libby Cutler, ‘25
Sydney Morris graduated from Colorado Collegein2024.ShestartedattheStateof the Rockies during her junior year and worked on the first season of the Waldo Canyon project. Sydney studied OBEOrganismal Biology and Ecology - so she was excited to explore her interest in forestecologyatthetime.Throughouther experience on the Waldo Canyon team, sheobtainedatonofhands-onexperience in the field and in the lab working with statistical analysis. She was even able to obtain soil samples in the field for an independent study on the relationship between Pinus ponderosa regenerationand soil chemistry post-fire. Sydney had the opportunity to present this work at an undergraduateresearchsymposiuminSt. Louis,SCoRe,andOBEDay.
Working at the State of the Rockies sparkedhercurrentinterestintheeffects of forest fires on avian communities, which has led Sydney to her current positionwiththeBirdConservancyofthe
Rockies (BCR). Mexican Spotted Owls (MSO), a subspecies of the Spotted Owl, was listed as federally threatened a decadeagoduetohabitatdestructionvia logging and forest fires. Under contract withtheforestservice,BCRistaskedwith monitoring these birds across New MexicoandArizona.Thisistheirlastyear of surveys, and Sydney expressed how workinginthefielddefinitelyremindsher of her work at SoTR. On the job, Sydney oftenfindsMSOsinmixedconiferforests, dominated by Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir. Similar to those that once existed in the Waldo Canyon burn scar, her work at SoTR and BCR have emphasized how important these ecosystems are for MSOs and just how impactfultheeffectsoffirecanbeonboth floraandfauna.
Currently, Sydney is a Crew Leader for BCR,leadingtechniciansacrossArizonato monitor Mexican Spotted Owls (MSO) acrosseveryNationalForestinthestate.
She is tasked with coordinating 10-day backcountry hitches and sharing survey findings with USFS district biologists. Surveys are conducted at night and require navigating in the backcountry in thedarkwhichcanbeunsettling,butshe finds it super enjoyable! The only downside is the heat of the Arizona afternoons. The goal of each survey is to seeiftheteamcandetectapair(onemale and one female) MSO in a randomly selected site. These sites have been monitored for over a decade, which allows for observations of how the same owls do over time, and helps to identify populationtrends. Inordertodetermine if there are owls or not, the crew does a playback for 10 minutes at five different points in the site. The playback is a recording of the MSO calls. If they hear owls responding, they can typically determinetheirsexbythetypeofcalland thepitch.Oncethatisdone,theycantell how many males or females are in the area.Sydneylovesbeingabletohearand seetheseowls,despitehowdifficultthey are to find. Their hidden nature makes it all the more special to see these species. Sydney is very grateful for the opportunities that this job has given her to visit some incredible places across the state of Arizona and see wonderful landscapes.
MarenGreene,astudioartmajor,joined the State of the Rockies Project in the summerof2023asanartist-in-residence fortheWaldoCanyonPosterProject.Her role blended fieldwork with creative practice, giving her a unique vantage point on the intersection of science and art.
That summer, Greene joined researchers studying ponderosa pine regeneration in the Waldo Canyon burn scar. She often accompanied them into the field, documenting their work through photography while also lending a hand with data collection—laying transects, measuring trees, and counting saplings. Later, while the researchers were synthesizing data, Greene developed a body of artwork inspired by their findings. Her drawings combined multiple perspectives in architecturalstyle renderings of trees, annotated with informationaboutthesiteandlandscape. The works illustrated how trees of the same age could vary drastically in size depending on growing conditions, blending scientific accuracy with artistic interpretation.
Greene describes the residency as one of her favorite experiences at CC. “It combined my love for the outdoors and conservationwithmyskillsinartinaway Ihadn’texperiencedbefore,”shesaid.She recalls a conversation with project director Cyndy discussing the need for morevisuallanguageinscience.“Artcan communicate quickly in ways that journalscannot.Thatshowedmethere’s a real need and desire for artists within thescientificcommunity.”
Since graduating, Greene has pursued seasonal outdoor work that keeps her closetoconservation.Shehasservedona land conservation crew in Colorado, workedasaskiinstructorinUtah,andis now an assistant ranger with Oregon StateParksnearEugene.
Betweenseasonaljobs,sheuseshertime to hike, climb, and photograph the landscapessheexplores.She’sbuildinga portfolio with the hope of moving into freelancephotography.
HeradvicetocurrentCCstudentsis simple:don’tstayinyourlane. “Explore academically. Some of my favorite classes were completely outside my major. There’s so much cool and weird stuff going on at CC— take advantage of it.”
Looking back, Greene says the Rockies project continues to shape her path. “It made me think deeply about how my photographyandartworktellstoriesand communicate information,” she explained.“That’ssomethingIcarryinto everythingIdo.”
Top and Bottom: Two of Maren’s tree drawings for her role as an Artist in Residence for the Waldo Canyon project.
Top right: 2025 Cooke City Hut Trip #13.
Bottom: Rocky Mountain Gold, Tennessee Pass, Colorado. 3 Runner-Up for State of the Rockies Photo Contest People’s Choice Award. rd
Maren Greene, ‘24
An International Student’s Journey from Bangladesh, to Colorado, to Florida: Mustafa Sameen ‘25
By Waverly Fisher, ‘27 and Alison Mueller-Hickler ‘26
MustafaSameen‘25, aformerStateofthe Rockies Project fellow, has applied the skills and connections he formed to find successafterColoradoCollege.
After graduating in the spring, Mustafa chose to attend graduate school in the fall. Mustafa greatly credits his time at State of the Rockies for his ability grow anddiscoverhispassions.
Mustafa joined State of the Rockies over twoyearsago,asafellow,andconducted researchthroughtheDarkSkiesprogram. He originally applied for the program becausehisfriendhadjoined, andloved it. A desire to travel and see more of Coloradowasalsoabigcomponentinhis decision.BeingfromBangladesh,Mustafa possessedadesiretoexploremoreofthe statethathewasresidingin.Heenjoyed the energy of the people he encountered involved with State of the Rockies and decidedtojointheirranks.
In the summer of 2024, he researched how artificial light affects cultural and ecological practices in Monument, Bluff and Blanding. The Bears Ears area was named a national monument by the Obama administration, causing a lot of interesttobesparkedinseveralgroupsof conservationists, locals, and outdoor enthusiasts. Mustafa interviewed 14 indigenouspeopleintheBearsEarsarea about what it was like to continue attemptingtoliveandcarryouttheirlives asnormalinanareaheavilyimpactedby lightpollution,aswellascollectingdata from300+respondentstoasurveyasking thesamequestions.
The experience of road tripping in Colorado was a totally new one for Mustafa, being an international student who had never been on a multiple-day roadtriporcampedbefore.Hefoundthe experiencetobetransformative,as
Primary sources of light pollution identified by survey respondents, with tourism- related activities (50%), urban/traffic lighting (32%), and residential lighting (27%) emerging as the most significant contributors.
Mustafa considers himself to be introverted and the experience helped to pushhimoutofhiscomfortzone.
allowed him to see just how qualitative research happens, and how important it is to involve oneself in community to be abletoaddressissuesattheirroot.
Thenextstepintograduateschoolwas
A photo of a traditional female hogan near Bears Ears, Blanding, Utah—an enduring symbol of Navajo cultural heritage and spiritual practices. | Mustafa Sameen, ‘25
partially influenced by Mustafa’s involvementinStateoftheRockies.Heis currentlypursuingaPhDinbothA.I.and Transportation Engineering from the UniversityofFlorida-adoublefocusthat wasofferedtohimfullyfunded.
He is working with Dr. Zhao in the UF Civil Engineering department, whose Smart, Effective, Resilient Mobility Systems (SERMOS) lab focuses on AI applications for transportation systems and disaster response. Mustafa says that doing data analysis for State of the Rockieshelpedhimgettechnologicaland analytical experience that will help him whileobtaininghisPhD.
CyndyHines,theStateoftheRockies
Program Manager, also helped him with hisgradapplicationprocess.
Mustafaisgratefulforhisexperiencewith the State of the Rockies and Dark Skies programs, and he would recommend joining to anyone with a passion for preserving local culture and ecology. He feels that being around people who felt similarly to him and enjoyed doing research really helped him grow in confidenceonapersonallevel.
Helearnedsomuchabouthowimportant the Dark Skies are and the necessity of preservingthemwhilealsofindingasense of community extending beyond the reachesofhistimeatColoradoCollege.
Bears Ears National Monument annual visitation (2013-2023), showing significant growth over the decade with notable increases following monument designation in 2016 and post-COVID recovery in 2021.
Mustafa Sameen, ‘25
South Utah | Photo by Maren Greene, ‘25
Megan O’Brien, ‘25
By Libby Cutler, ‘25
A photo of a BETA technology delivery electric plane
Megan O'Brien graduated from Colorado College this past spring. She was a part of our State of the Rockies Public Lands Survey Team, doing an individual project in the Summer of 2024. Megan was interested in predicting possible future light pollution if development continues, focusing on the towns of Blanding, Monticello, and Moab. She was also a member of the Dark Skies team Artist in Residence. In addition to collecting light pollutiondata,sheinterviewedpeopleshe encountered around Bears Ears about the meaning of the stars to them, and took theirphoto.
Megan’saimatStateoftheRockieswasto combine data and art together in her project. She scheduled meetings at local libraries searching for historic photos in the towns of Blanding, Monticello, and Moab. She then compared the current photosshetookwiththehistoriconesshe found in order to get an idea of the changes in development around Bears Ears.
Recently, Megan accepted a job as a Legal Clerk with the BETA Technologies Legal Team!BETAtechnologiesisacuttingedge
company that is creating and using electric planes to make deliveries in order to limit greenhouse gas emissions. As an aerospace manufacturer, they develop electric aircrafts for cargo, medical passenger, and military aviation industries. BETA technologies is currently expanding across the eastern side of the US and further, working to expand their clientele. With over 600 electric planes in their fleet, they are a cutting edge player in decarbonizing the transportation and deliverysectors.
Prior to accepting this position, Megan was planning to go into the Peace Corps. She expressed how it can be difficult to transition into brand new communities and find belonging in new job positions, but that her work at State of the Rockies may aid her in this endeavor. Interviews, trips, feelings of frustration, and then being able to make connections with new communities are all important skills that Megan took away from her research time with State of the Rockies. With her new job transition, this sense of community from SoTR will hopefully transfer over as sheworkshardatBETA!
As a company working for decarbonization and sustainable ideals, BETA Technologies is a perfect fit for Megan who cares deeply about the environment and communities affected by climate change. The State of the Rockies is so proud of Megan for her exciting new position, and cannot wait to see where this role will take her. We cannotwaittohearallabouttheforwardlooking environmental work that Megan willsoondo!
AnnaVeraisaproudalumnaoftheState oftheRockies,andhasbuiltarichcareer in the environmental field. As an EnvironmentalSciencemajoratColorado College, Anna focused her Rockies researchonwatersupplyissuesinCastle Rock.Sheapproachedthisprojectusinga “past, present, and future” framework— conducting literature reviews, interviewing city water managers, and takingcommunityaction.
One of her standout contributions was digitizing aerial photographs to analyze land cover change between 1937 and 2018, providing a qualitative perspective on how landscape development has affected local rivers. She also explored aquifer storage and recovery as a potential long-term solution for Castle Rock’swatermanagement.
After graduating from CC, Anna joined The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Colorado, working with the Marketing and Communications team based in Boulder. In this role, she traveled throughoutthestate—includingto
events like the Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride—and continued her environmental activism. She managed TNC’s relationships with youth partner organizations, connecting young people with the outdoors and career development opportunities. Anna also coordinated numerous events involving donors,thepublic,andyouthgroups.
AmajorhighlightofhertimeatTNCwas conducting an internal audit to support more culturally adequate marketing efforts, with a focus on Latino communitiesintheAmericansouthwest. Funfact:TNCColoradoreferencedaState of the Rockies poll to better understand howdifferentdemographicsperceiveand prioritizeenvironmentalissues.
AftertwomeaningfulyearsatTNC,Anna decided to take her passion for sustainability out of the country. She recentlymovedtoEuropeandiscurrently traveling while WWOOFing—“Have you heard of it?” she asks. WWOOF (World WideOpportunitiesonOrganicFarms)is aglobalmovementthatconnects
volunteers with organic farms in exchange for food and housing. Anna is now immersing herself in sustainable agriculture by volunteering on farms acrossEurope.
It’sinspiringtoseeaStateoftheRockies alum like Anna Vera continuing to embody the values of environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Anna Vera, ‘22
Anna Vera, ‘22, soaking up the sunset. Verner State Wildlife Area, Jackson County, Colorado. | Photo by Patil Khakhamian , ‘22
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS
Handies Peak 1 | Photo by Liam Ferguson, ‘27
Summers of Film-Making: Ellie LaCasse, ‘26
By Waverly Fisher, ‘27
Thissummer,EllieLaCasse‘26workedon a film that centered around a small town inthefourcornersregion,focusingonthe people who live there, and their struggles over water-rights and having their voices heard in the debates. Water is necessary forlifeonEarth,andinthearidclimateof Cortez, Colorado, it is something that the native people have had to fight for. The film, Still Water, premiered at last year’s Data Viz Nite and was submitted to and will be screened at several film festivals. The Delores River cuts a shocking path of greenthroughthedesert-likelandscapeof the area. The river begins in the San Juan Mountains, snaking through both Utah and Colorado, eventually emptying into the Colorado River. It serves as a critical water source for many groups of people, including both the general populations of cities Cortez and nearby Dove Creek, as well as the Ute Mountain Tribe. North of Cortez, the river carves through the Delores River Canyon, which contains immense amounts of biodiversity and historical Anasazi ruins. The McPhee Dam, a nearby large reservoir, holds a grandamountofwaterfromtheriverthat is used for agricultural purposes in the area, and provides sustenance for local communities.
Ellie, alongside the film team, traveled to Cortez to find out the unique story of thosewholivethere,andtheirrelationto the land and water. They were able to go on an “eco flight”, a free flight in a small plane that allowed for good views of the area from a bird’s eye view, while a tour guide told them more about Colorado. They also interviewed several people whose families have lived in the Cortez area for generations, including native peopleofUteandApachedescent.
The people of these tribes rely on their senior rights to the water for agriculture and drinking water, but the allocation of water rights is increasingly complicated as climate change and monopolizing business causes it to become more precious.
The film team all shared roles within the project, each taking on editing, filming, sound, planning, and interviewing positions. The team decided to contact members of the community involved in agriculture,specificallymembersofnative tribes who were being disenfranchised by largecompanies’holdoverwaterrights. Through these interviews, Ellie and her collaboratorsaskedmembersofthetribes who are steeped in farming how the “institutional theft of tribal waters”, as one man says in the film, has affected theirlives.Companies’protectionoverthe watertheyuseisstoppingtribalmembers from using it, which is harmful to the practices and livelihoods of the people. Ultimately, the message of the documentary is that it is not right for water to be owned, because it is a necessity for life - and who are we to decide who has the right to live and flourish? Over the course of the summer, Ellie acquired the valuable skill of interviewing people and connecting with them to cultivate a conversation that intriguedtheaudience.
She was able to create fast relationships with people, especially those she worked with, to create a sense of comfort and community in the making of Still Water and has carried that into other collaborative projects. The experience taught her a lot about how to film in a captivatingway,usingfilmtechniquesto capture the Southwestern surroundings in a method that immortalizes the area’s
Ellie LaCasse, ‘26, Charlie Marks, ’26 (front row), Matan Fields, ‘26, and Jess Duran, ‘25, board the small engine plane for an aerial tour of the Dolores River Valley coutesy of Ecoflight, a non-profit conservation organization employing avation to protect natural landscapes. | Photo by Ellie LaCasse, ‘26.
EcoFlightin2024
Tyler Mielke, ‘26
By Alison Mueller-Hickler, ‘26 and Waverly Fisher ,‘27
Arerisingsealevelscausinganincreasein marsh migration? That is one of the questions former State of the Rockies student research ecologist, Tyler Mielke, ‘26,soughttoanswerthispastsummer.
Tyler is currently a senior at Colorado CollegewhoworkedontheSummer2024
Waldo Canyon team. This past block, I had a conversation with her about her timewiththeStateoftheRockiesProject and its impacts on her personal and professionallife.
What did you do for the State of the RockiesProject?
Tyler was a Student Research Ecologist from spring 2024 to spring 2025. While working with the Waldo Canyon team, she assisted in every step of the process, from site selection to GIS mapping. She, alongwiththerestoftheWaldoCanyon team, studied the burn site from the second day of the wildfire to further understand the fire’s effects and the ecosystem’s recovery. She said the summer of field work was “intense at times,butalsoalotoffun”sinceshehad different experiences in various disciplines.
What were some of the most valuable lessonslearned?
Tylerbelievesthatthemostvaluableskill she learned was to effectively problem solve, especially when it came to field work and GIS. She emphasized that with fieldwork,youcangoinwithaplan,but “you kind of have to roll with the punches”and“thinkonyourfeet”
because “stuff will go wrong.” She distinctly remembers looking at the potential sites via a “tiny image on the phone”whentheteamwasplanningout where they would do their research, which exemplifies some of the struggles Tyler faced when approaching this project.
Thefactthatthiswasayear-longproject taughtheralotabout“keepingyourgoals in sight” and that collaboration is key, especiallyontheblockplan.
One of the most rewarding experiences TylerhadbeinginvolvedwiththeStateof the Rockies Project was seeing how the WaldoCanyonProject“allfittogetherin the end,” which made it “super satisfying” to see the culmination of all thehardwork.
Whenaskedaboutthevalueofheroverall experiencewiththeWaldoCanyonteam, she said that “you are always learning” whichisthemostvaluablelessonofall.
Summer 2025 Research in Virginia and theStateoftheRockiesProject
This past summer Tyler conducted National Science Foundation (NSF) research on the Coastal Critical Zone Network in the Virginia Institute of Marine Science Lab (VIMS) at William & Mary College. She collaborated with a group of researchers to understand the impact of sea level rise on coastal ecosystems in relation to marsh migrationandshrubification.
Some of her research questions included: Arethetreesthataredyingbeingreplaced byshrubs?Aremarshesbeingdrownedor moving inwards? The conclusion of her research will be marked with a presentation to fellow researchers doing work on the Coastal Critical Zone Network. Her research will also be incorporated into an academic journal articlethatwillbepublishedWinter2025.
Throughout the summer that she spent workingwiththeVIMS,Tylerappliedalot of the same skills that she learned from working with the State of the Rockies Project. She said the “breadth of experience”fromhersummerinColorado Springs helped her develop the foundationsthatmadeadifferenceinher ability to learn new information and connection with co-workers and the new environment that she was in. She “frequently observed patterns… and connections” between the work that she did in Waldo Canyon and the coastal marshesofVirginia.
BeyondColoradoCollege
Her summer with State of the Rockies proved to Tyler that she “really enjoyed doing research,” and helped her find her passion.Whenaskedaboutherfuture,she said that the State of the Rockies has put her “on a better trajectory” than if she hadn’t done it. “State of the Rockies is a hugesteppingstone,andIgainedalotof really valuable experience that has translatedwell.”
Photo by Catherine Smith
Potential Effects of Artificial Lights on Coastal Fisheries
By Waverly Fisher, ‘27 and Alison Mueller-Hickler, ‘26
This past summer, Maram Mohamed ’28 conducted a scientific data ‘deep dive’ into the impact humans have on their surroundings. More specifically, Maram worked alongside Dr. Michelan Wilson and Dr. Guanyi Yang, to explore the effects of artificial nighttime lighting on coastalfisheriesinCaliforniaandFlorida.
Maram did most of her research in Colorado College’s GIS lab where she used pre-existing data to determine the scope of permanent artificial light (that was detected every night for a full year) which extended off the coasts of CaliforniaandFlorida.
She constructed a buffered area up to three miles off the coastline, extending out into the Pacific Ocean for California, andtheAtlanticOceanandGulfofMexico for Florida. Using the Light Pollution IndexMethod,introducedtoherbyDr.
Wilson,MaramcollecteddatathroughQGIS and Arc-GIS on the extent to which the buffered areas were covered by artificiallight.
Furthermore, Florida emitted more coastal light over time, while California remainedstable.Thisislikelyduetomore state regulation on development in California, and more protected areas around the coast. Although Florida does have a statewide lighting ordinance meant to help local governments protect seaturtlehatchlings,theordinanceleaves it up to the local governments of municipalities to create their own legislation, causing protections against light pollution to be uneven throughout thestate.
Visually, the data using the Light PollutionIndexMethodlookslikeagroup ofpixels,buteachpixelhasitsown
unique meaning. The number of pixels presentinanareaindicatestheamountof lightpresent.
It spans from zero (zero percent light), meaning light is not at all present, to a valueofone(100percentlight),meaning light is fully present. Using this method, Maramwasabletodeterminethatabout 23 percent of Florida’s coastal areas are covered by artificial light coming from cities.Thishasincreasedoverthespanof the last four years. California’s coastal waters are about 18 percent covered by artificial light, but this value has remainedrelativelystableoverthelast12 years, due to more regulation on urban development.
Using these findings as a guide, Maram and Dr. Wilson investigated how this increaseinartificiallightinFloridacould affect fish. Fish are affected psychologically, behaviorally and physicallybytheincreaseoflightatnight. Algae blooms and grows in areas with high amounts of artificial light, as it provides warmth and some of the same qualities as sunlight, which creates oxygendegradationinthewater.Reduced oxygenisharmfultofish,impactingtheir health, and sometimes even causing death. High levels of algae blooming due toexcesslightalsocausesthealgaetodie, whichaffectsthefishthatdependonthe algaeforfood.Overall,increasedartificial lightposesaseriousthreattoU.S.coastal fishpopulationsandthefishingindustry, whichwillstruggleduetoareducedand lowerqualitysupply.
Maram,Dr.Wilson,andDr.Yangplanto continue their research throughout the fall, and Maram will present a poster on her more extensive findings at Colorado College’sDataVizNightinthespring.
Photo by Megan O’Brien ‘25
Digging into Dr. Jesus Peña’s Summer Fungi Research
By Annabel Meyer, ‘26
For Professor Peña, this summer’s research has meant looking closely at some of Colorado’s most overlooked residents – not its people, or even its plants, but the fungi quietly living inside ofthem.
His work builds on a growing field of study in endophytes, the fungi that live inside plant tissues without causing disease. Far from being harmful, these microbes often provide benefits: helping plantstoleratestress,resistpests,oreven influence when they flower. “Every plant thathaseverbeenstudiedhasfungiliving insideofit,”Peñaexplained.“Andinsome cases,theymayactuallyberesponsiblefor traitswe’vealwaysattributedtotheplant itself.”
This summer, Peña and his students focusedontwoprojects.Thefirstcenters on Tamarix, an invasive tree also known as salt cedar, and its interactions with cottonwoodtreesalongFountainCreekin Colorado. Tamarix alters its environment by depositing salt into the soil, creating conditions that favor its own growth while excluding other species. Peña’s teamisexploringwhetherTamarixmay
also be borrowing (or stealing) fungal partners from cottonwoods, potentially gaining an advantage in colonizing new areas. The second project looks to the desertforinspiration.Peña’slabhasbeen isolating fungi from drought-adapted plantssuchaspricklypear,chollacactus, andyucca.Thequestion:canthesefungi help crop plants withstand dry conditions? “If these desert plants owe some of their drought tolerance to their fungalpartners,thenmaybewecanapply thatknowledgetoagriculture,”Peñasaid. Thelong-termhopeisthatsuchresearch could contribute to more sustainable farming practices in the face of climate change.
Working with endophytes isn’t simple. Becausetheteamreliesonculture-based methods, they can only grow fungi that surviveinthelab–justafractionofwhat actually exists inside plant tissues. Sterilizingleaveswithoutkillingthefungi inside has also required extensive troubleshooting.“It’sadelicateprocess,” Peña noted. “But when something new does grow, it’s incredibly exciting. We’re oftenseeingthingsnoonehas
documented before.” While the potential applications stretch far, from conservation to sustainable agriculture, Peña emphasized that much of this work isstillinitsearlystages.“Thisisrelatively uncharted territory,” he said. “There hasn’tbeenmuchresearchonendophytes inleaves,especiallyinspecieslikeprickly pear or Tamarix. We’re just starting to understand what’s possible.”At Colorado College, the projects have drawn particular interest from students in the Organismal Biology & Ecology department, especially those curious about fungi beyond the mushrooms they seeinthefield.Peñahopestoexpandthat interestintheyearsahead,bringingmore students into research on plant–fungal interactions and highlighting the interdisciplinarypotentialofthiswork. “Fungi are everywhere,” he said. “They shape how plants grow, how ecosystems function, even how people have historically used plants for food and medicine. There’s a whole hidden world insidetheleaveswewalkpasteveryday–andwe’reonlybeginningtouncoverit.”
Student Researchers Theo Ollier, ‘26 and Miles Katzen, ‘26 | Photos taken by Jesus Peña
Student-Led Research: Process-based Investigations into Solutions-based Outcomes
responsibility of caring for our natural world.Weprovidestudentsopportunities to build skills and apply classroom knowledge to practical projects to help prepare them for life after Colorado College.
Ourresearchtakesusdeepintothesocial and ecological dilemmas and across the diverse landscapes that shape our lives here in the Rocky Mountain West. We contemplate ways to attenuate human environmental impact and how to better plan for the future. Our goal is for students to pursue their academic interests, or perhaps discover new ones, as they engage in inter-disciplinary experiential resesarch opportunities projects.
WorkingonaRockiesprojectenables
students to take learning beyond the 31/2-weekblockplan.
In the field, in the lab, and when interviewing and reporting, students apply their coursework, gain skills and practical experience, and consider how their work contributes to finding an equilibrium between human activity and ecosystemintegrity.
Because art and science are inextricably intertwined, many of the projects we design require students to present research and use some form of creative expression disseminated across a variety of platforms,(e.g., GIS; radio; print; and electronic journalism; art and design; social media; photography). This approachtoappliedintegrateddesignand researchappealstostudentsfromdiverse backgrounds across many academic departments.
Werecognizetheimportanceofsharing
research findings through academic and creativeoutletstoincreasethesizeofour audience and the diversity of our participants with the goal of motivating otherstotakeinterestandaction.
2024ConservationProjects
2024PublicLands/DarkSkiesProjects: Are Rocky Mountain Starry Skies Worth Preserving?
An Investigation on the Pervasiveness of Light Pollution in Urban Areas in the Rocky MountainWest
Artificial Light: a Threat to Starry Skies over BearsEarsNationalMonument
Preserving the Starry Skies: Light Pollution’s Impact on Cultural Heritage and Ecological BalanceinBearsEarsNationalMonument
StudentsAlisonMueller-Hickler,‘26,
MeganO’Brien,‘25,andMustafaSameen, ‘25,collecteddataonlightemissions,and sound, and conducted interviews in several of the fastest growing urban populationsintheRockyMountainWest, Phoenix (AZ), Albuquerque (NM), Colorado Springs (CO), and in rural communities near Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. The goal was to explore the impact of artificial light on marginalizedpopulations,economicgains from dark sky tourism, and Indigenous culturalpracticeslikecelestialnavigation. FindingsweresharedwithBearsNational Monument Tribal Coalition to help develop a strategy to control light pollution and preserve cultural and naturalheritage.Ourprimaryobjectiveis to demonstrate the import of preserving RockyMountainStarrySkiesfordarkskies covenantsandpolicymakingdecisions.
2024 Urban Light Emmitance Predictor Machine
Atotalof92percentofColoradoresidents value seeing stars at night (2025 Conservation in the West Poll) and recognize the importance of nighttime hourstohumanandotherspecies’health.
Computer Science majors Kyle Moriarity, ’25, Caleb Peimann, ‘25, and Oliver Moscow, ’27 developed a machine learning artificial intelligence program with data gathered by Alison MuellerHickler, ‘26, in her study of light pervasivenessinColoradoSprings.Using thelightemittancedata,theydesigneda software program that can predict how specific land development (new businesses,commercialwarehouses,etc.) may increase the amount of light emmittedatnight.
WeaimtoshareourUrbanLightPredictor Machine with Colorado Springs city officals, and once perfected, to other westerntownsandcitiestoassistthemin the future planning of the metropolitan andsurroundingareas.
2024 Sustainable Landscapes Projects
2024 Adventurous Spirit Film Team:
STILL WATER is a documentary short in which we investigated how long-term drought further complicates the already delicate water allocation agreements among those whose livelihoods depend on the Dolores River, a Colorado River tributaryinsouthwesternColorado.
Through storytelling, residents describe the ways historical water laws, rooted in American colonialism and genocide, exacerbate today’s western US water crisis. Weexploredhowwecanreconcile our collective, inequitable, and painful past with a more equitable future. Highlighting the voices of 30 tribes' claims and connection with the river, the film reveals how local struggles reflect global challenges in the face of climate change. STILL WATER was nominated, in the documentary category, for two best student film awards : Seattle (WA) Film Festival and the Winter Park (CO) Film Festival,fall2024.
2024 Waldo Canyon Fire Project
There-establishmentofaPonderosaPine Forest: a Multi-scale Retrospect of the Waldo Canyon Fire, Woodland Park, Colorado
In recent decades, the number, severity, extent, and intensity of forest fires in the western United States have dramatically increased. Scientific research indicates bigger,hotter,andmorefrequentfiresare a response to fire suppression and the additionofhuman-producedatmospheric carbon. Carbon released by human activity (i.e., the burning of fossil fuels) has dramatically increased over the last 60 years, significantly altering Earthsystemprocessesandpatterns(319carbon dioxide concentration (ppm) in 1965 to >420ppmin2025).
Climate effects on fire behavior in the Rocky Mountain West vary across the landscape as a function of local topography(slope,aspect,elevation)and
Warmer temperatures, drought stress, insect outbreaks, blow down, and the interruption of the historic fire regime, provide varying degrees of fuel loads linkedtodifferencesinclimatevariability in the region, and can lead to localized extreme fires leading to a low likelihood offorestregeneration.
Ponderosapine,adominantmontanetree species in the Colorado Front Range, is poorlyadaptedtoregenerateinlargehigh severity burn patches because of their lack of serotinous cones, the inability to maintain long-lived seedbanks, and shade-intolerance of other plant competitors.
Scientists are concerned Ponderosa pine will blink out in severely and extensively burnedforestsites. Somethinkthereisa highprobabilitythatPonderosapinemay have disappeared from some western forests for a long time, maybe forever. WillPonderosapinesbecome“extinct”in someofthemostseverelyburnedforests of the Rocky Mountain West? What species are returning? What does their presence or absence mean from a socioecologicalperspective?
Wewantedtoknowhowponderosapine is recovering following the 2012 Waldo Canyon fire in Pike National Forest, Woodland Park, Colorado, a fire of high severity and intensity. How does variability in the landscape influence the re-establishment and survival of ponderosa pine post fire? Are certain site conditions more auspicious? What is the likelihood of observing ponderosa pine seedlings and saplings across various physicalsitecharacteristics?
Preliminaryresultsfromtensitesinphase two (2024) of our research indicate that percent cover (p-value = 0.007) and diurnal soil temp (p-value = 0.020) are significant factors in predicting the odds of ponderosa pine establishment in sites within the burn day two perimeter. We alsofoundsomelinearrelationship
among number of saplings seen in each sampled area and several measured physical site characteristics. Soil temperature is likely to be a driver of regeneration and establishment (p-value =0.015). Studentsareanalyzingfielddata collectedthissummerduringphasethree (2025)oftheprojectwhichfocusesonthe areaburnedduringdayfourofthefire.
2025 Conservation Ecology Projects
2025 The Great Blue Heron Project
Icons of Longevity and Sustainability: TheSlateRiverGreatBlueHeronProject
Great blue herons, like many birds, are symbols of deep spirituality. Great blue herons can stand still and on one leg for longperiodsoftime,havesharpeyesight, andkeenobservationalskills.Tomanyof us, they embody patience, stillness, wisdom,andbalance.InancientEgyptian culture, they were revered as manifestations of the Divine’s soul. In contemporary Native American cultures andbeliefsystems,Greatblueherons
symbolize the balance of action and stillness, and the connections between water,land,andsky.
Why are so many of us captivated by Great blue herons? Look on the internet and one can find hundreds of city, state, non-profit, and for-profit organizations whohavethebirdastheirlogoonshirts, stickers,andsignage.Coulditbethatour admiration for the Great blue heron is tied to a distant common connection, a far-awaymemoryofknowinghowtolive inbalancewithnature?
Great blue herons are highly adapted birds. For more than two million years, Great blue herons, whose ancestors flew among the dinosaurs, have evolved balancing habitat and forage with population (i.e., numbers of colonies, nests,andindividuals).Complexaquaticland-water interactions, operating over multiple temporal scales, create habitat thatsupportsrobustpersistentheronries acrossmultiplespatialscales.
Great blue herons are at the top of the food chain in wetland and riparian ecosystems.Asakeystonespecies,their
presenceandnumbersindicateecosystem productivity. They often colonize a locationfor20yearsorlongersolongas there is high quality available foraging habitat. The Slate River Valley in Crested Butte, Colorado is a functioning habitat richinbiodiversityprovidinga20+yearold heronry a year-round reliable food source.
Nesting in the treetops of patches of lodgepole pine and galleries of cottonwoods along the stream, the Slate River heronry perseveres despite the growing threat of human disturbance (outdoor recreation, land development) and declining nesting habitat. Tree canopydiebackisoftenaconsequenceof the preferred nesting locations. Crown die-off triggers the settling of a new nesting site, leaving the ‘waste’ of their old one to decompose-- a natural part of ecosystemprocesses.
Humans,too,cancausegreatdamageand destruction to habitat (e.g., mining, land development). Is our waste all natural anddecomposable–anaturalpartofthe ecosystem? Are we able to balance our availablehabitatandresourceswithuse
Photo Title | Photo by Cyndy Hines
A Summer Dust Storm | Photo by Cyndy Hines Monument Valley, Utah
andpopulation?
This summer, Lily Frost, ’26, set off to continue a long-term wildlife conservation monitoring project that has been conducted by Crested Butte Land Trust over a five-year period in partnership with Western State University, Gunnison, Colorado. Scientists and residents are concerned about the observed negative influences increased outdoor recreation has had on the heronry along the Slate River. We want to know if and over what spatiotemporalscalestheabandonednestsites are recovering (i.e., tree re-growth, growthofunderstory)andhowincidents of Great blue heron*human interaction influencethesizeoftheheronry(number of nests), the size of the population (number of individuals), the location of theheronry,andtheamountoftimesthe nestsareoccupied.
CanGreatblueheronsremindushowand inspire us to live smartly; more sustainably? This research is a way to study sustainability as it manifests in nature. We hope to demonstrate how humanscanlooktospeciesliketheGreat blue heron when contemplating the best ways to live our lives for future generations.
2025 Dark Skies Project:
Aurorae Borealis Shimmer over the Rocky Mountain West: a 20-year GeomagnecticStormEvent
Alice O’Neal-Freeman, ‘27, continued her 2024 investigation of the unusual occurrence of the aurora borealis to explore the phenomenon and its cultural significance to the Indigenous People whosetraditionalbeliefsandwaysoflife aredeeplyconnectedtothecosmos.
Interviews with The Iyarhe (Stoney) Nakoda peoples of the Northern Rockies giveusaglimpseintotheimportantrole this atmospheric phenomenon plays in community, language, stories, and their relationshiptotheland.
2025 Sustainable Landscapes Projects
2025 Adventurous Spirit Films
The Beast of Our Time: a Stylized Up CloseInterviewwithDougPeacock
CharlieMarks,‘26,satdownwithwildlife activist, filmmaker, and author, Doug Peacock,knownandadmiredthroughout the world for his advocacy work for grizzly bears in and around Yellowstone Park,Montana. Charliecapturessomeof Doug’s poignant memories of his time spent in Viet Nam, experiences that led him into the wilderness, and of the untamedadventureswithhisclosefriend and fellow “monkey wrencher,” Edward Abbey. Doug has dedicated the last 50 years to promoting large mammal conservation in the US and the world, and to voicing what he believes are the benefitsofwildernesstothehumansoul.
2025 Waldo Canyon Fire Project
The re-establishment of a Ponderosa Pine Forest: a Multi-scale Retrospect of theWaldoCanyonFire,WoodlandPark, Colorado
Thissummer,theWaldoCanyonstudent research team continued the field data collection for our long-term fire ecology study. We sampled ten sites in the area burnedduringdayfourofthe2012event as part of phase three of this landscape analysis of Pinus ponderosa regeneration successfollowingaseverefireandalongterm pattern (at least 30 years) of hotter and drier weather. Prelimenary analyses of the ten 60,000m2 study sites reveal some interesting relationships among physical site charateristics (e.g., slope, elevation, aspect, burn severity) and the number of seedlings and saplings observed. Burn day four preliminary findings strongly indicate that certain environmental site conditions favor individual tree growth (dbh). This multiple-yearstudyaimstoaddwhatwe understand about forest succession following fire in. the Rocky Mountain West. Results from this multiple-year longstudywillhelpcity,state,and
PhotobyScottyStauffer
View Alice’s 2024 powerpoint presentation.
federal land management better manage westernfirepronelandscapes.
The
Relationship Between Political Affilication and Outdoor Public Open Space Use: A Case Study of Popular PublicAccessAreasinColoradoSprings, Colorado
Outdoor recreation for Western voters is an important aspect to most of us, as captured by 15 years of Colorado College’s annual Conservation in the WestPolldata.Accessibilitytoprotected openspaceandpubliclandsisreportedto be one of the primary reasons we live in the Rocky Mountain West. Voters surveyedinthe2025Stateofthe
Rockies Conservation in the West Poll wanttoseepubliclandsprotected(67%) and want elected officials who will address environmental issues like clean water, clean air, and wildlife (85%). No matter the political affiliation, Westerners support the conservation of public lands and want public officials to protect them from drilling (72%) or housingdevelopment(86%).
We are interested in how residents and visitorsofColoradoSpringsrankoutdoor accessibility to green space and public lands,andtheimportanceoflivinginan urban environment developed with sustainabilitypractices. Isaccessibilityto
open space a value shared by Colorado Springs residents? What do surveyed Colorado Springs Republican and Democrat, and other political affiliated outdoor recreationists have in common? Is outdoor recreation a space where opinions are shared opinions; perhaps a placetoworktogethertowardactionsto protectourfavoritepublicopenspaces?
This summer, Libby Cutler, ’25 and Annabel Meyer,’ 26 set out to answer these questions. They aim to share their findings with Colorado Springs city officials to broaden the scope of conservation activities and sustainability policies.
2025 Waldo Canyon team from left: Katie Lockwood, ‘27, Sophie Volchenboum, ‘26, Zoe Lesak, ’26, Annie O’Neill, ‘26, Adele Davis.’26, and Kade Charlton, ‘27. Missing from photo: Oden Hoff, ‘27 | Photo by Macy McCauley, ‘25
Liam Keilty, ‘25 rappels a rock wall after a site visit in Waldo Canyon | Photo by Ollie Beland, ‘25
2024 Student Research
A View from the Top | Photo by Cyndy Hines
Mary Cate Kiser, ‘27, Ben Curry, ‘25, Tyler Mielke, ‘26, Rafi Khan, ‘26, and Rachel Phillips, ’26, the 2024 Waldo Canyon research team, atop Rampart Range Road. The Rampart Range Reservoir, seen in the background, supplies water to thousands of residents in the region. The threat of contamination of this major water source by the 2012 Waldo Canyon forest fire caused great concern for the City of Colorado Springs and nearby communities who rely heavily on this water.
Is Artificial Light a Threat to Starry Skies over Bears Ears National Monument?
Bears Ears National Monument, known for breathtaking landscapes and starry skies, plays a significant role in the socio-political contextofSoutheastUtah.Increasinglightpollutionfrompopulationgrowthofborderingtownsandlanduseactivities(e.g.,ruralland development,oil and methane extraction) are cause for concern for the Indigenous people of Bears Ears National Monument whose culturesandlife-practicesaretightlytiedtothecosmos.TheStateoftheRockiesProjectworkedwithTheInter-TribalCoalitionofBears Earsduringthesummerof2024togaininsightintothepervasivenessoflightpollutioninandaroundthearea.
Thecoalitionismadeupoffivetribes—theHopiTribe,theNavajoNation,theUteMountainUteTribe,theZuniTribe,andtheUte IndianTribe.ThegroupisconsideringadarkskiesdesignationascommunitygrowthandasteadyuptickinvisitationtotheMonument threatenstheirancientconnectiontothestars.TheStateoftheRockiesPublicLandsTeamtookmultipletripstoSoutheastUtahto collect artificial light data and interview tribal members and locals concerned about protecting the area from the threat of rural developmentandgrowingpopularityoftheMonument.Inthisstudy,VIIRSdatawasusedtoidentifyareasofhighandlowartificial lightreadingsinthreetownslocatednearBearsEars.
These towns included Moab, Monticello, and Blanding, Utah. From the VIIRS data, we identifiedandlocated24sitestocollectfieldnighttimelightemissionsusingaSkyQuality lightmeter.In-fieldlightmeasurementswerecomparedtoVisibleInfraredRadiometerSuite (VIIRS)measurements.Weattempttounderstandhowlanddevelopmentofnearbyborder towns may influence the future impact of light pollution using historical aerial imagery, VIIRSdata(2012and2023),andvisitationnumbersfromnearbyArchesNationalPark.
Historicalaerialimagesfromthe1950sand2024weredigitizedandcomparedusingArcGIS Pro.MapswerecreatedtocompareVIIRSlightreadingsfrom2012and2024.Thedatashows significant growth in development in all three towns, and expansion of light from 2012 to 2023anddemonstratesthelargeroleoilandgasplayinlightpollutionreadings.Wewere abletoidentifyareasofhighlightpollutionandplacesatriskforfurtherlightpollution.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Introduction:
Light pollution poses a significant threat todarkskies.Darkskiesprotectionbegan in the early 1900s with the first Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand. Since then, dark skies conservation has gained traction. According to darksky.org, there are 200 plus Dark Sky Places around the world in twenty two countries (International Dark-Sky Association, 2025). There are a few different distinctions including dark skypreserves,darkskyreserves,anddark sky sanctuaries. The International DarkSky Association utilizes the Bortle Scale, “anine-levelnumericscalethatmeasures the night sky’s brightness of a particular location” and quantifies astronomical observability of celestial objects (International Dark-Sky Association). Areas with a lower Bortle Scale number have higher observability and those with a higher number have a lower observability.
Moab,Monticello,andBlandingarethree towns bordering the Bears Ears National Monument area selected as study sites in Southeast Utah across Grand and San JuanCounty,usingVIIRS(VisibleInfrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) data. VIIRS dataiscollectedbyNASAtocreate“visible and infrared imagery along with global observationsofEarth'sland,atmosphere, cryosphere, and ocean” (NASA Earthdata). The area and population of each of these towns have increased since the 1950s and communities take varying approaches to dark sky conservation. The City of Moab became an International DarkSkyCommunityinthelastyearafter updating their outdoor light code. Bears Ears is considering a dark skies designationaswell.
This study investigates changes in the amount of artificial light pollution in relation to the growth of these three towns and the growth of Southeast Utah over time. The purpose of this research is to determine risk of light pollution to the areabylookingatcurrentandhistorical
data. This study compares the old historical spatial extent of town to what weseetodayinordertodrawconclusions aboutthelevelofriskoflightpollutionto Bears Ears associated with development. Light pollution is tied to population growth and conversion of open lands to builtenvironments.Thisstudyshowsthat more development is correlated to more lightpollution.Ifdevelopmentcontinues
attherateithassince1950and2012,then lightpollutionintheareawillcontinueto expand and may affect the visibility of starsinthearea.Thisisatopicofconcern for residents and the tribes that comanageBearsEarsastheyconsideradark skiesdesignation.
Read Megan’s full research paper
LightpollutionmapinMoab,Utah
“To
me, I like it. I mean I don't like being in big cities that's why I don't live in one."
TravisBurton, Elk Petroleum Manager Montezuma Creek, Utah
"It's normal you know, to have it without the light."
Curtis Oliver, Fry
BreadandJewelry StandOwner MonumentValley,
Utah
Locals’ Dark Skies
"The stars are very important to us [...] as important as wearing clean socks every day."
"You know when people take away stuff and they make it hard to get, you want it more? I think that might be a problem here."
ShayTrent,CoffeeShopWorker Blanding,Utah
"The stars are important to me [...] emotionally they are extremely important to me."
SteveSimpsan,StoreOwner Bluff,Utah
“My connection to this place is I am a human being and that's enough."
KeithKnetchel,Self-proclaimedNomad Blanding,Utah
Preserving the Starry Skies: Light Pollution’s Impact on Cultural Heritage and Ecological Balance in Bears Ears National Monument
By Mustafa Sameen, ‘25
Abstract
BearsEarsNationalMonument(BENM)facesanemergingthreatfromartificiallightpollutionthatendangersbothitsculturaland ecological integrity. This study examines how increasing artificial lighting affects Indigenous ceremonies dependent on celestial visibility, disrupts nocturnal wildlife behavior, and impacts local economies. Through interviews with tribal members and land managers,surveydatafrom300+respondents,andanalysisofBLMvisitationrecords,Idocumentedwidespreadconcernaboutthese impacts. Key findings reveal that 47% of visitors would reduce future visits if night sky quality diminished—potentially costing the region $191,000 annually in tourism revenue under even minor light pollution increases. The research highlights how Traditional IndigenousKnowledgecaninformeffectivemanagementpractices,with80%ofcommunitymemberssupportingdarkskypreservation measures. By integrating shielded lighting technologies with community-driven initiatives, Bears Ears can balance necessary developmentwithpreservingthestarryskiesvitaltoculturalpractices,wildlife,andsustainabletourism.
Introduction
Bears Ears National Monument represents a landscape of exceptional cultural and ecological significance in southeastern Utah. Designated in 2016 andrestoredtoitsoriginalboundariesin 2021, this 1.36 million acre expanse contains thousands of archaeological sites documenting human presence spanningmorethan13,000years.Forthe Navajo,Hopi,UteMountainUte,Ute,and Zuni peoples, Bears Ears constitutes an ancestral homeland where traditional practicescontinuetothisday.
The monument’s pristine night skies— increasinglyrareintheAmericanWest— support nocturnal ecological processes and traditional cultural practices. Yet as visitation increases and surrounding communities develop, artificial light threatenstodisruptthisresource.Light
pollution—defined as excessive or misdirectedartificiallight—altersnatural darkness that has shaped both cultural practices and biological adaptations over millennia.
This research explores four interconnectedquestions:
How does light pollution impact Indigenous cultural practices dependent on celestial visibility?
By integrating scientific data with traditional knowledge, this research provides evidence-based recommendations for preserving the night skies that remain essential to cultural continuity and ecological health inthissacredlandscape.
An Investigation into the Pervasiveness of Light Pollution in Urban Areas in the Rocky Mountain West
By
Abstract
Recent studies indicate light pollution can create adverse medical and ecological effects when combined with growth within urban environments.Growthisdelineatedasthechangeinlandusecompositionandincreasesincityboundariesovertime,meaningthat developmentisanindicatorofgrowth.Theadversemedicalandecologicaleffectsofnighttimeartificiallightingcombinedwiththe pervasivenessoflightpollutioninurbanenvironmentsprovidessuitablemotivationforthisstudy.Thepurposeofthisresearchisto create an understanding of how growth, defined in terms of population growth and urban growth, changes the amount of light pollutionpresent. ThreeofthefastestgrowingcitiesintheRockyMountainWest,Albuquerque,NewMexico,Phoenix,Arizona,and ColoradoSprings,Colorado,wereexaminedatmultiplelevelsofassessmentincludingaGISanalysisofNASAVisibleInfrared
Introduction
Light pollution is an issue that is gaining momentum in ecology, but also in the realm of health and urban planning. It refers to the addition of anthropogenic lightingmakinganareabrighterthanitis supposedtobenaturally,andittakeson multiple forms including glare, sky glow, light trespass, and clutter (Dark Skies International n.d). Additionally, just like “other pollutants do,” light pollution propagatesintheatmospherelimitingthe visibility of the night sky (Cinzano & Falchi2012,3353).
Light pollution is a threat because “most organisms, including humans, have evolved molecular circadian clocks controlled by natural day-night cycles” that regulate metabolism, growth, and behavior (Hölker 2010, 681). The introduction of light at night causes the “absenceof[an]externalcue”whichmay causethecircadianrhythmto“driftoutof phase with day and night” (Gaston 2013, 919).
Buildingonthenegativeconsequencesof light pollution demonstrated by ecologicalresearch,theAmericanMedical Associationsubmittedapressreleaseona resolutionthat“designatedLPasapublic healthhazard”duetoitsharmsonhuman health that include “disruptions to sleep and mood, circadian rhythms and melatoninproduction,activationofstress hormones and related impacts such as increased risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular disease” (Pothukuchi 2023, 6). Beyond health risks, “[l]ight at the wrong place and time wastes energy and money and exacerbates climate change” by emitting tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (Pothukuchi 2021,159).
Thecurrentregulationsandordinancesin place to control light pollution are far from sufficient as only “19 states, the DistrictofColumbiaandPuertoRicohave laws in place to reduce light pollution” and the large majority of planning scholarshipintheUnitedStateshavebeen
“relatively silent on these issues and on related policy making, regulation, and partnerships” (NCSL) (Pothukuchi 2021, 155).
Therecommendedapproachtotacklethis issue of light pollution is to “(i) prevent areasfrombeingartificiallylit,(ii)limit
Alison Mueller-Hickler, ‘26 with Cyndy Hines
the duration of lighting, (iii) reduce the ‘trespass’ of lighting into areas that are notintendedtobelit(includingthenight sky),(iv)changetheintensityoflighting; and (v) change the spectral composition oflighting”(Gaston2012,1256).
In an attempt to better understand light pollution in urban environments, this studywillfocusonlightpollutionandits underregulation as cities continue their growth(Figure2).Ithasbeenfoundthat themaindriversofurbangrowthconsist of transportation and housing supply, amenities, human capital and entrepreneurship, and technology and “shockstospecificcitiesorindustries” (Duranton&Puga2014,845).
Policystudiessuggestthaturbanizationis therootcauseofthe“sprawlingexplosion of outdoor light at night,” and, despite this evidence, it is “largely ignored by planners” (Pothukuchi 2021, 155). Local policies are important and are at the forefront of regulating artificial lighting; however, even these municipal ordinances are “plagued by lack of definition, merely encouraging language, orarbitrarymeasures”(Pothukuchi2023, 26). The adverse medical and ecological effects of nighttime artificial lighting combinedwiththepervasivenessoflight pollutioninurbanenvironmentsprovides suitable motivation for this study. The research conducted in this paper will addressthefollowingquestion:Howdoes development and light pollution interact inurbanenvironments?
To answer this question, three of the largestcitiesintheRockyMountainWest region, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Phoenix, Arizona, and Colorado Springs, Colorado will be examined at multiple levelsofobservation.
This includes consideration of NASA VisibleInfraredImagingRadiometerSuite (VIIRS) data as well as collected on-thegrounddata,acomparisonbetween2012 and 2023 VIIRS data, a land cover/use change analysis between the 1960s and 2023, sound decibel readings, crime and census data, and local and expert interviews.
We hypothesize that light pollution is strongly related to urban development and population growth, where the more development there is, the more light pollutiontherewillbe.
Methods
Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) and collected field data at various points within the greater metropolitan area of thethreecities(SeeFigure2).Theon-theground collected data indicated that creating an analysis of light pollution solely based on VIIRS data is not a comprehensiveindicatorofthelightscape ofanurbanenvironment.Therefore,a
combinationofcollecteddatawithVIIRS data would create a more complete picture of the lightscape. A comparison between2012and2023VIIRSdata,aland use change analysis between the 1960s and 2023, sound decibel readings, crime and census data, and local and expert interviewsindicatethatgrowthwithinan urban environment does increase the amount of light pollution present in a visible and personal way affecting the livesofindividuals(SeeFigures3and4). However, there is a glaring lack in policy initiatives and action within local governmentsbesidesthoseofnonprofit groupslikeDarkSkyInternational(DSI).
Theseresultssupportthehypothesisthat urban growth and development lead to increased light pollution. Our research identifiedAlbuquerqueasthedarkestcity and Phoenix as the most light-polluted city. Between 2012 and 2023, Colorado Springs has had the most growth, consideringlandusechangeovertime,as well as seeing the largest increase in brightest ranges of light pixels and is where the brightest ‘on-the-ground’ measurement was recorded. Commercial industries are identified as the largest contributors to light pollution and residential areas typically have lower levelsoflightpollution.
Finally, interviews express that light pollution is an extremely pressing issue andiscloselyaffiliatedwithdevelopment and urban growth/expansion. It is also clear that it is a relatively easy issue to solve as long as there is a willingness to doso.
Front Range Light Predictor Machine: Predicting Increased Light Pollution from Businesses
By Alice O’Neal-Freeman, ‘27 and Waverly Fisher, ‘27
Computer science majors, Kyle Moriarty, ‘25, Caleb Peymann, ‘25, and Oliver Moscow,’26decidedtousetheirexpertise incodingandprogram-buildingtocreate a brand-new data analysis program in 2023.Thetwonow-graduatesandOliver, a current senior, initially wanted to combine their love for the nature of the ColoradoSpringswiththeirtechnological expertise, and create some sort of program which would aid environmental causesinthecity.
Many people are drawn to the Colorado Front Range, made up of six towering fourteeners marking the easternmost reachoftheRockiesinColorado.By2045 the Colorado Springs area is expected to reach a population of one million residents as reported by the Denver Gazette, (1). It is understood that increased development commonly leads to increased light pollution, but what kinds of buildings and operations lead to the highest increase? And how much added light pollution results from new businessesandinfrastructure?
Oliver joined forces with Caleb and Kyle to complete a capstone project for their computer science majors in spring of 2025.Theyinitiallywantedtodoaproject focused on sustainability at the local level, rather than the typical corporation or small business that a capstone project is formed in collaboration. Oliver had a friend who had worked with State of the Rockies previously, who reccommended thathetalkwithCyndyHines,theStateof the Rockies Program Manager. He got in touch with her, curious to see if she had any possible way that the three could make a project that helped out with any local environmental projects that the Rockieswerefocusedon.
Cyndy mentioned the project she had designed for Alison Mueller-Hickler and receommend using her light pollution measurements of Colorado Springs as a possible topic of collaboration. The two realized that computer science could automate the time-consuming process of drivingaroundcitiestotakereadings,and decidedtoexplorepredictingfuturelight
pollution. Combining efforts, this is a project that would project estimated future light pollution digitally alongside Alison’s gathered data, and could set the precedent to make future projects similar toAlison’salotmoreefficient.
They hoped to design a tool that could be used by Colorado Springs city planners to showthemthatthelayoutoflightsinthe city could be better arranged to have less of an negative effect on human residents andnature.
Oliver, Caleb, and Kyle operated on the assumption that the majority of light pollution comes from businesses. They pored over Colorado Springs business zone districts and VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, values for the brightness of points on earth’s surface) datafromNASAforColoradoSprings,then transferred this data into GIS. Through three weeks of work they created a model that predicts the estimated increase of light pollution in an area based on users’ additionofbusinesses.
Albuquerque Night Sky | Alison Mueller-Hickler, ‘26
Alison’s photos of the light pollution at different points in the Springs are included in the program in order to help puttheVIIRSvaluesintoperspective.
“The main idea,” Moriarty says, “is to advise Colorado Springs city planners to makeuseofFrontRangeLightswhenrezoning the city: they can go into the program,andthedevelopmentofcode,to include infrastructure they are omitting, such as houses and street lights. This program provides an essential opportunity for city officials to make more knowledgeable decisions based on thelightpollution.
Implemented in urban areas alongside other dark sky conservation efforts such as limiting the amount of light produced bybusinesseswouldmakeadifferencein the preservation of a vital economic, cultural,andecologicalnaturalresource.
Oliver said that he would love to potentially make the Front Range Lights model available for public use in the future,especiallysothatcitycouncilscan use it to interpret current information about light pollution that certain businesses and such are currently emitting. This would allow for possible governmental regulation to be put into place in the future, protecting dark skies areas from excessively bright infrastructure.
However,theteamhadtomanuallyenter lots of data into the light predictor machine for their capstone project, renderingitalmostimpossibletoupkeep atacity-widelevel,muchlessastate-or evencountry-widescale.
Even now, the information listed on the model about levels of light pollution in certain areas, as well as the types of businesses that emit the light, is not entirely correct. It would require a lot more development and a much larger teamtokeepFrontRangeLightsaccurate, updatedandlive.
A screenshot from the light predictor machine showing a map of Colorado Springs representing VIIRS light values. It is not available for public use, but Oliver would like to continue developing it in the future to make it
Another screenshot. One can click on a data point for a place of business in the machine and observe the value of the light, as well as the coordinates. One can also customize the business type and the zone it is in.
Another screenshot from the light predictor machine shows more details that appear when one clicks on the places of business, there is space to add details such as street name that the business is on, company name, and more. This allows for the machine to specify businesses in detail.
sustainability and a knowledge of how importantdarkskiesaretopreserve,they believe it may be a goal worth shooting for.
Citations
Laden, R. (2023, November 6). The colorado springs area is on track to reach 1 million people. will bigger be better? The Denver Gazette. Retrieved from https://gazette.com/business/the-colorado-springsarea-is-on-track-to-reach-1-million-people-willbigger-be/article_87a38678-7453-11ee-bf997bcf7395fd4a.html.
Kyle Moriarty, ‘25, who combined his Computer Science major with Chemistry, is from Maryland.HewasdrawntoCCbecausehelovesrockclimbingandwantedtobeclosertothe mountains. During his time at CC he enjoyed being a part of the Outdoor Ed and Esports communitiesoncampus.
Caleb Peimann, ‘25 has a B.A. in Computer Science and a minor in Biochemistry. His academic and professional journey blends technology and human connection, guided by a commitment to applying computational skills in ways that improve people’s lives. He is currentlyworkingasaMedicalAssistantinhishometownofJuneau,Alaska,whileexploring career paths that allow him to interact directly with the people he is helping. He enjoys helping others by tutoring, mentoring, and community service, giving back to our communities in meaningful ways. Caleb’s long-term goal is to build a career in computer science that combines technical innovation with human connection, making technology moreresponsive,accessible,andmeaningful.
Oliver Moscow, ‘26 isaComputerSciencemajorandMusicminor.Heisexcitedaboutthe State of the Rockies program—especially the Dark Skies project—because it gives him an opportunity to apply the skills he’s learned in computer science to a project that aims to better illustrate and address the issue of light pollution in Colorado Springs, a cause he deeplycaresabout.
Exploring the Spiritual Significance of Aurorae Borealis
By Waverly Fisher, ‘27
Asolarstormcausedtherareandunique displayofcolorfullightsintheskyabove the Rocky Mountains in the summer of 2024.
Beginning in May, the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights) appeared in the region for the first time in around 40 years. Alice O’Neill-Freeman took advantageofthisincrediblephenomenon by tracking down photos of the lights taken by several people that she found online to put in one large exhibit, which was displayed in Tutt Library at the end of last school year. Scanning platforms likeReddit,FacebookandInstagram,she gotthephotographers’permissiontouse them for her collection, which put her in contact with several people who had interestingbackgroundsinrelationtothe nightskies.
One individual that she reached out to was a solar scientist who was incredibly enthused to help provide a detailed photograph that they took of the lights. Another photographer she communicated with was a Colorado College alum who had remained in the Rocky Mountain region. Alice also spoke withmembersoftheStoneyNakodatribe in Canada, from the Northern Rocky Mountains.
During her search for photos, Alice learned the Stoney tribe have put togetheradisplaycalledNightrisein
The display shows natural features that could be found in the national park, includingafewthatappearinthesky,like alpenglowandAuroraBorealis,providing the native names for the features and their significance to the tribe. After speaking with members of the Stoney personally, Alice learned that Aurora Borealis represents the spirits of their ancestors dancing in the sky. The Stoney people generally do not believe in taking photos of the Borealis because it is deemed disrespectful to the tribe’s ancestors, and also don’t appreciate that others outside the tribe take pictures either.
This created a juxtaposition, as Alice found that the two parts of her project were beginning to clash as she expanded her research. A continuation of research into indigenous spirituality in relation to nature came up on Alice’s radar as she learned more about the Stoney Nakoda people. Her plans for project’s expansion included the creation of an exhibit surrounding indigenous art that takes placeinthenaturalenvironment.
Ultimately, Alice found that the Aurora Borealis brought a sense of awe, joy and community to many that summer from theirownindividualcornersoftheRocky Mountains.
Northern lights return to the Rocky Mountain West, Palmer Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado 7:43pm. Westerners as far south as Arizona witnessed the light show in response to an extraordinary coronal mass ejection. | | Photo by Cyndy Hines
UN Sustainable Development Goals
An exhibit of the photographs collected by Alice for this project may be seen on the third floor of Tutt Library, Colorado College. | Photo by Waverly Fisher, ‘27
View Alice’s 2024 powerpoint presentation.
The re-establishment of a ponderosa pine forest: a multiscale retrospect of the Waldo Canyon fire, Pike National Forest, Woodland Park, Colorado
by Ben Curry, ‘25, Rafi Khan, ’26, Mary Cate Kiser, ‘26, Rachel Phillips, ‘26, Oden Hoff, ‘27, and Sham Kabir, ‘24
Abstract
IntheRockyMountainWest,ponderosapine(Pinus ponderosa)forestsmakeupadefiningecosystemoftheregion,providingcritical ecological functions such as supporting biodiversity, carbon sequestration and cycling, water regulation, and watershed stability [1]. Ponderosa pine forests are an essential habitat for a diverse range of species and support a complex web of ecological interactions. Similar studies show catastrophic fire events such as the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire ponderosa pine negatively influence P. ponderosa regenerationinareaswherenosurvivingtreesremain[2,3].Thirteenyearslater,aninvestigationoftherecoveryoftheareasimpacted iscrucialtounderstandingindicatorsofecosystemrecoveryandtheaftermathofdevastatingwildfires.
Introduction
Wildfires have historically played a central role in the Rocky Mountain ecosystem of the western US by shaping forest structure, facilitating nutrient cycling, and affecting species composition. Natural ignition sources such as lightning, combined with fire stewardship practices by the Indigenous people of the region kept wildfires moderate and ensured that they could carry out their role in balancing the ecosystem. More recently, however, around the early 1900s, aggressive fire suppression practices emerged, altering these historical patterns. Suppressing wildfires results in an unnaturally high fuel buildup which makes wildfires more powerful, destructive, and more difficult tocontrolwhentheydoignite.
Fire suppression and fuel buildup, when combined with the effects of anthropogenic climate change, creates unnaturallyfrequent,powerful,andlarge wildfires.Theemissionofcarbonintothe atmospherecreatesa“greenhouseeffect”
that heats the earth, resulting in warmer average temperatures, earlier spring snowmelt, and prolonged summer droughts. Studies have shown that since the mid-1980s, wildfire activity in the westernU.S.hasincreasedmarkedly,with the Rocky Mountain region experiencing someofthemostpronouncedtrends.The Waldo Canyon wildfire of 2012 is the focusof(this)researchproject.Ignitedin late June 2012, the Waldo Canyon Fire began roughly 3–4 miles northwest of Colorado Springs in the Pike National Forest, quickly escalating into one of Colorado’s most devastating wildfires. Over the span of 18 days, it ravaged the forest and nearby neighborhoods. After causing over $352 million in damage, the fire, which had burned 18,000 acres and claimed2humanlives,wascontained.
With the ecological landscape of this regionbeingalteredbytheWaldoCanyon fire, we pursue questions about the regeneration of ponderosa pine populations in this area. Ponderosa pine partiallydominatestheecosystemofpike
nationalforest,andishistoricallyadapted tolow-severityfireregimes.Thatistosay, whentheecosystemisinbalance,smaller firesreduceunderstoryfuelsandfacilitate the success of larger species like ponderosa pine. However, the high severity of the 2012 fire caused a crown fire that killed mass amounts of ponderosa pines. Because these trees are poorly adapted to establishment in such severely burned sites, ponderosa pine regeneration remains in question. The projectweproposedaimstoanswerthese questions: what is the predicted landscape after the 2012 fire? Will ponderosapinebecome“extinct”insome of the most severely burned areas? What species are returning? What does their presence or absence mean from a socioecological perspective? Is assisted restoration recommended or should naturalprocessesbeallowedtounfold?
A severely burned site in the day one burn area of the fire. | Photo by Ollie Beland, ‘25
of Colorado Springs. It is encompassed largely by the Pike National Forest and sits within the Rampart Range. Waldo Canyonfeaturesarelativelydrymontane ecosystem with steep terrain and rocky, well-draining soils. The waters from the canyon drain into fountain creek and monument creek, important watersheds fortheregion.
VegetationandWildlife
Before the fire, Waldo Canyon’s ecology was made up of douglas fir stands, ponderosa pine forests, and various shrubs and grasses including sagebrush, oaks, and various wildflowers. The ecological makeup of Waldo Canyon remains similar after the fire, but this project investigates the specificities of how species, particularly ponderosa pines, are regenerating. The region is inhabited by a wide range of common Rocky Mountain fauna, though populations vary by area, vegetation, slope,forestdensity.Muledeer,elk,black bear,birds,reptiles,andinsectscanallbe found within Waldo Canyon. The postfire status of regional insect populations isalsoexploredinthisproject.
WaldoCanyonFireRecovery
The impacts of the 2012 Waldo Canyon fire are still felt deeply today. In June of 2012, the fire ravaged nearly 20,000 acres, wiped out over 300 homes, and claimed two human lives. Today, residents still face a loss of recreational accesstothearea,infrastructuredamage, andlingeringcosts(RMFI).Theecological effectsofthefirewerealsoextensive.FOr aroundafiveyearperiodafterthefire,the area was especially vulnerable to flooding.Burnscarsareunabletoabsorb heavy rain like the plants and vegetation that thrived before the fire would have. Instead, water is repelled, sending flash floodsanddebrisdownstream.Today,the area is still especially vulnerable to erosion.
After the fire, multiple restoration projectswerelaunchedtostabilizeslopes and replant native trees and grasses (RMFI). As vegetation began to recover, grassesoftenappearedfirst,followedby
shrubspeciesandaspen,whichhelpedto provideshadeandsoilstabilizationinthe early stages of recovery. Coniferous trees suchasponderosapinesandfirshowever, takemoretimetore-establishinseverely burnedareas.
Methods: Phase Two (Burn Day Two Area)
SiteSelectionAerialImageryandGIS: WeusedArcGISProtorandomlygenerate pointsonnorth-andsouth-facingslopes withintheareaburnedduringdaytwoof the fire Waldo Canyon’s scar (Figures 1 and 2). Before deciding to sample a particular site, we scouted our randomly chosen sample sites for accessibility, slope area, and slope aspect. Our objectivewastofindtensiteswherewe
could lay a 300x200 meter long transect fromhightolowelevations,sositeswith slopes shorter than 500 meters were ruledout(Figure2).
Weselectedsitesthatwerenavigableand had slopes large enough to be contained withinthe300x200marea.Tomarksites, we found the bearing of the downslope, and added or subtracted 90 degrees to determine the bearings of the East and West edges of the plot. After laying the center 300m transect downslope, we measuredout100mEastandWestofthe center transect three times to create six 100x100m plots within the transect. Overall, 10 transects were laid on both NorthandSouthfacingslopes(Figure2).
Map of Waldo Burn Area Perimeter of Burn Day Two
Figure 1. Map of Waldo Burn area perimeter, Pike National Forest, Woodland Park, Colorado, City of Colorado Springs, Final After Action Report (2013). MapcreatedinArcProv3.1byMattCooney,Colorado College(2024).
Landsat-7 image courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey. Map created by Oden Hoff, ’27, Colorado College.
EsriCommunityMapsContributors,CountyofTeller OpenStreetMap copyright, Microsoft, Esri, TomTom, GeoTechnologies Inc. METI/NASA, USGS. M{S. IUS Census Bureau, USDA, USFWS, Sources: Esri, Airbus DS, USGS, NGA, NASA, R Robinson, NCEAS, NLS, OS, MNS, Geodatastyrelsen, Rijkswaterstaat, GSA, Geoland, FEMA, Intermap and the GIS user community,Maxar.
Randomly Located Points for Site Selection Process
Figure 2. Randomly assigned points were generated and located within the burn day two area on northand south-facing slopes. Study sites were then selectedbyvisitingeachpontinchronologicalorder (randompoint1visitedfirst,thenpoint2,andsoon) until five sites in each aspect (north and south) met our site criteria: accessibility, aspect, within the burn area and national forest boundary, met our spatialareaextentrequirement(300mx200m).Map of Waldo Burn area perimeter, Pike National Forest, Woodland Park, Colorado, City of Colorado Springs, Final After Action Report (2013). Map created in ArcPro v3.1 by Matt Cooney, Colorado College (2024).AdoptedfromCityofColoradoSprings,Final After Action Report (2013). Map created by Matt CooneyandOdenHoff,’27,ColoradoCollege(2025).
FieldDataCollection
Data collection involved estimating the percentcoverandburnseverity(Figure3), counting and measuring ponderosa pine saplings, sampling mature ponderosa pines, and taking measurements of soil temperature and moisture. In each quadrantofour200x300meterplots,we woulddetermineifburnseveritywaslow, moderate,orseverebyobservingthesigns left by the fire (Figure 3.) Similarly, we wouldestimatethepercentageofground coverbylookingatthefloraoccupyingthe area. Next, we counted the number of ponderosa pine saplings, which were determined to be equal to or less than around4feettall.Todothis,threeorfour members of our data collection team would line up on the edge of a 50x50 meter quadrant and sweep the area, counting all visible ponderosa pine saplings. With this number of people spreadoutevenlyalongthe50meters,we foundthatwecouldaccuratelycounteach sapling without any two people accidentally counting the same sapling twice. Next, we sampled mature ponderosa pines. To ensure random selection, we consistently measured the four mature ponderosa pines that were closest to the center of the transect. We tooktheheightusinganinclinometerand diameter at breast height (dbh) to calculatediameterusingadbhtape.
Trees above 1.52 meters high were cored todeterminethestandageforeachsite
Predicted Burn Severity Map of Burn Day Two Area and Site Locations
Figure 3. A total of (10) sites were randomly located intheburndayarea.Burnseverityrangedfromhigh to low. Map of Waldo Canyon fire burn area perimeter, Pike National Forest, Woodland Park, Colorado, City of Colorado Springs, Final After Action Report (2013) created in ArcPro v3.1 by Matt Cooney, and Oden Hoff, ’27 ,Colorado College, (2024) . Adopted from City of Colorado Springs, Final After Action Report (2013) and Herros, A. (2018). MapcreatedbyMattCooneyandOdenHoff, ’27,ColoradoCollege(2025).
Elevation of sites in Burn Day Two of the Waldo Canyon Fire
Figure 4. Elevation of the 10 sites sampled within the burn day two area boundary. Range of average elevation per quad for each site located in the area extended during the second day of the fire was calculated in ArcGIS using digitial elevation model (DEM).
The elevational gain among sites: Lowest site elevation 2856m; highest is 2920m difference of 797m(2685feet).
Landsat-7 image courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey. Map created by Oden Hoff, ’27, Colorado College.
Aerial imagery comparison of north and south sites of greatest and least change from pre-fire to 2023.
Figure 5. Digitized spacio-temporal changes in vegetation and land cover of pre-fire (2011) and post-fire conditions (2023). The digitized images show the greatest and least amount of land cover changes. Land cover type post-fire (12-years postfire) show a dramatic decrease in trees and tree/shrubcommunitiesinthemostseverelyburned areas
andassesshowtreesmayhaveresponded to the wildfire. At the site of each living mature tree, we measured the slope, and the slope aspect. At the center of each transect, we measured the soil temperatureandsoilmoisture.
StatisticalAnalysis
Ponderosapine,adominantmontanetree species in the Colorado Rocky Mountain Front Range, is poorly adapted to regenerate in large high severity burn patchesbecauseoftheirlackofserotinous cones,theinabilitytomaintainlong-lived seedbanks, and shade-intolerance of other plant competitors (Oliver and Ryker,1990).
Scientists are concerned ponderosa pine will blink out in severely and extensively burned forest sites (Petrie et al, 2023). Scientiststhinkthereisahighprobability that ponderosa pine may have disappeared from some western forests for a long time, maybe forever. The project we propose aims to answer these questions: What is the predicted landscapepost2020fires?Willponderosa pines become “extinct” in some of the most severely burned forests?What species are returning? What does their presence or absence mean from a socioecologicalperspective?
Wewanttoknowhowponderosapineis recovering following the 2012 Waldo Canyon fire in Pike National Forest, Woodland Park, Colorado, a fire of unusualseverityandintensity.Howdoes the variability in the landscape influence the re-establishment and survival of ponderosa pine following the fire? Are certain site conditions more auspicious? What is the likelihood of observing ponderosa pine seedlings and saplings across various physical site characteristics?
We want to know whether Pinus ponderosa regeneration is occurring in the13-year-olddaytwoburnarea,andif so, what influences the likelihood of seeing seedling and saplings across a rangeofphysicalsiteconditionsinWaldo Canyon?Wearealsointerestedin
determining whether burn severity is a predictor of seedling and sapling response, and what physical site characteristicsinWaldoCanyonaremore favorable than others? We explored the odds of finding seedlings and saplings andwhetherthereisalinearrelationship among the number of individuals we sampled and the site conditions we measured.
LogisticRegressionAnalysis
We ran a logistic regression analysis (Logit) on the burn day two data to identify a potential relationship between thelikelihoodofobservingno,orveryfew (lessthan10)seedlingsandsaplingsper
quad to seeing a lot in different quad locations in the burn day two boundary (Graph1).Abinomialnegativeregression model was determined the best fit for thedata to unravel the linear relationships, if any exist in our data, between the number of seedling and saplingsobservedperquadinresponseto physicalsitecharacteristics.
PreliminaryResults
LogisticRegressionAnalysis
A logistic regression analysis of the burn daytwodata(60quads;10sites)suggests percent soil cover per quad (p-value = 0.007)andsoiltemperatureperquad(pvalue=0.02)significantlyinfluencethe
presenceofseedlingsandsaplingsinour study sites (Table 1). The odds of observingseedlingsandsaplingsperquad (more than 10 individuals; Graph 2) increases by five with every one percent increase in percent soil cover. Recorded percent soil cover ranged from 65 to 95 percent in burn day two sites. Our data alsorevealsthatifseedlingsandsaplings are present, the likelihood of finding 10+ new individuals in a quad increases 12.5 percent for every one degree increase in soiltemperature,ortheoddsofseeing10 or more seedlings and saplings within a quad in burn day two sites increase 1.25 times with every degree increase in soil temperature(Table1).
Negative Binomial Analysis
Abinomialnegativeregressionmodelwas determined the best fit for the data to unravelthelinearrelationships,ifany existinourdata,betweenthenumberof seedling and saplings observed per quad inresponsetophysicalsitecharacteristics (Table2).
Initial results from the negative binomial statistical analysis suggests a positive linearrelationshipbetweenthenumberof seedlingsandsaplingsobservedperquad and soil temperature (p-value = 0.015, Table 2). As diurnal soil temperature increasesbyonepercent,weexpecta5.08 percent increase in the number of seedlingsandsaplingsperquad.Recorded soil temperatures range from 12 to 26.72 degrees Celsius across all burn day two sites.
Discussion
Recent research findings indicate that ponderosa pine re-establishment following fire is influenced by percent cover (Chambers et al, 2016). Optimal percent cover and soil temperature site conditions for seedling and saplings to regenerate and establish in the area burned during day two of the Waldo Canyon fire appear to be on northern aspectswherepercentcoverishigherand soiltemperaturesarelower.
The results from this study will add to whatweknowabouthowPinus
ponderosa dominated landscapes in the Rocky Mountain West are responding to hotteranddriersiteconditionsfollowing severefireevents.Ourgoalistoadvance ourabilitytopredictvegetationresponse
to changing natural processes at local and regional scales. Findings will be shared with Colorado Springs City and USForestServiceofficials,andstateland management agencies to help articulate improved forestry management practices, and to update and refine land management and conservation practices andpolicies.
Continued Research
Thissummer,wesurveyed10sitesinthe area burned during day four of the fire. Theareaburnedduringdaythreedidnot expand much beyond the area burned duringdaytwo.So,wesampledburnday fourforphasethreeofourstudy.
Becausesoiltemperatureseemstobean importantdriverofseedlingandsaplings inthesitessampledinphasetwoofthis study,furtheranalysisofthedatawillbe conducted to determine if higher densities of seedlings and saplings per quad are more often observed in sites with lower soil temperatures and higher percentcover.
Arewelikelytofindmorefavorablesites forponderosapineregenerationinhigher elevations, in sites where there is less change in slope, and on northern- and eastern-facing slopes where temperatures would be expected to be cooler and soils moister? A time series analysis will be conducted to determine whetherawarmingtrendisdetectable in
Figure 6. Slope percentage of sites of varying degrees in the area burned during day two of the fire.
the pattern of seedling and sapling establishmentinthedaytwoburnareain relationtorecordedlocaltemperatureand precipitationdata.
Citations
FireregimesofnorthernRockyMountainPonderosa Pine Communities. US Forest Service Research and Development.(n.d.).
Haffey, C., Sisk, T. D., Allen, C. D., Thode, A. E., & Margolis, E. Q. (2018, February 1). Limits to ponderosa pine regeneration following large highseverity forest fires in the United States SouthwestFire ecology. Springer Open. https://fireecology.springeropen.com/articles/10.49 96/fireecology.140114316
Chambers, M. E., Fornwalt, P. J., Malone, S. L., & Battaglia,M.(2016).Patternsofconiferregeneration following high severity wildfire in ponderosa pinedominated forests of the Colorado Front Range. US Forest Service Research and Development. https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/52277
Oliver, W.W., Ryker, R.A., 1990. Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws. Ponderosa pine. In: Silvics of North America.AgricultureHandbook654.USDepartment ofAgriculture,ForestService,Washington,DC,USA, pp.413–424.
Petrie,M.D.,Hubbard,R.M.,Bradford,J.B.,Kolb,T. E., Noel, A. Schlaepfer, D. R., Bowen, M. A., Fuller, L. R., Moser, W. K. (2023). Widespread regeneration failure in ponderosa pine forests of the southwestern United States. Forest and Ecology Management.
Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands - Incident Information. (2025, July). Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc/fire/info
Singh, K. (2022, June 23). From fire and flooding to regrowth in the Waldo Canyon Burn Scar. FOX21 News Colorado. https://www.fox21news.com/topstories/from-fire-and-flooding-to-regrowth-in-thewaldo-canyon-burn-scar/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Waldo Canyon | Rocky Mountain Field Institute. (2018). Rmfi.org. https://www.rmfi.org/projects/waldo-canyon
What influence has burn severity on ponderosa pine re-establishment at higher elevations compared to lower elevations in the Waldo Canyon study area?
A time series analysis will be conducted to determine whether a warming trend is detectable in the pattern of seedling and sapling establishment in the day two burn area. We aim to answer these questions with deeper analysis during the next phase of the study.
Still Water An Adventurous Spirit Film about Tribal Water Rights
By Lily Frost, ‘26
During summer ’24 the Adventurous Spirit film team ventured to tell the complex and storied tale of water rights in the west. The team; Matan Fields, JessicaDuran,CharlieMarks,and Ellie Lacasse went down to the Ute Mountain Ute reservation to learn about tribal water rights, allocation, and agriculture in the desert Southwest. Highlightingthevoicesoftribalclaimsto and connection with the river, the film explores local water allocation struggles which echo global trends in the face of climate change. The Dolores River, a tributary of the Colorado River supplies water to southwestern Colorado and Montezuma county’s $37 million agricultural industry (2022 USDA census of agriculture). “Our Lady of the Sorrows”, the Dolores, dammed at McPheereservoirirrigatesaround62,000 acres of arid plateau. The Ute Mountain Ute tribe of Southwestern Colorado run the third largest irrigation project in the state, growing water loving crops like alfalfa, corn, and wheat in the desert. Simon Martinez, General Manager at the FarmandRanch,saysinthefilm,“aslong as there’s water in the McPhee reservoir, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Farm and Ranch Enterprise will exist”. However, extreme drought conditions in 2021 highlighted allotment issues throughout the entire Colorado river basin, a system which supplies water to 40 million people. The Farm and Ranch Enterprise only received 10% of their allotment that year.
Still Water is a docu-short that tells the story of drought and climate change’s impacts on equity of water allocation along the Dolores, examining historical water laws and their colonial, genocidal roots says one of the film’s creators, Matan Fields. Matan hopes the film will “frame policy discussions in a way that inspiresmorejustsolutionsreflectingthe needsofallpeopleintheregion.”Charlie MarkshighlightedhowtheUteMountain
Ute tribe have been fighting for years for access to clean water to serve their communities and create economic growth.
You see, based on the Doctrine of Prior Appropriation, water in the Colorado Riverbasinisallocatedona“firstintime, firstinright”basis(1876).In1968,theUte Nationgaveuptheirseniorwaterrights
ontheColoradoanditstributaries,andas part of the water rights settlement the government was to build the Animas-La Plata project (ALP) and deliver water to the Tribes. Although the ALP settled waterrightsinSouthernColoradoforthe Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribes,theprojectwasentirelyuntenable due to financial, environmental, and geographicbarriers.Thefourthiteration
Ellie LaCasse, ‘26, Cyndy Hines, and Jess Duran, ‘25 (left to right) at the Pikes Peak Docufest movie screening. | Photo by Alice Donahue, ‘26.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
of the ALP (the Refined ALP Ultra-Lite) went ahead in the year 2000, the only problem is that it completely nixed the infrastructure needed to transport water from the newly dammed Animas and La PlatariverstotheUteMountainUtetribe over60milesaway.ThetwotribesofUte Nationhavehadnowayofaccessingtheir waterallotmentuntilthisMay,whenthe SouthernUtetribetappedintotheirwater heldintheALPforthefirsttimesincethe 1968 settlement. The Colorado Sun reported that only four of the eleven entities with rights in the ALP have been able to tap their allocations. And still, tribal nations’ claim to 26% of the Colorado River’s average flow between 2000 and 2018 is left unfulfilled, leaving downstream users to rely on over allocated water that they shouldn’t have access to. Almost sixty years after the original settlement, and a decade since the rivers have been dammed at lake Nighthorse,theUteMountainUtetribeis stillnegotiatinghowtopipetheirshareof thewatertothereservation.TheAnimasLa Plata project is a relic from the great depression days of dam building, and for overadecade,LakeNighthorsehassatas a testament to broken treaties and the institutionaltheftoftribalwater.
TheStillWaterprojectcameaboutoutof fascination with Colorado river politics. After reflecting on a day spent on the Dolores River banks, “swimming in its silty waters surrounded by towering slickrock walls and a riverbank rich with cottonwoods” Charlie remarked that “as muchasIlovefilmmaking,sometimesitis nice to put the camera down and take in the scenery, observing before capturing your image.” Like many people before him, he’s “heavily inspired by the writer andenvironmentalactivist,anarchist,but most importantly poet, Edward Abbey.” The man who, in many ways, brought Colorado River discourse into the public consciousness. Abbey’s work attracted recreational boaters and radical environmentalists to the wild and untamable Colorado River and its tributaries, inspiring outrage over development projects like Glen Canyon dam that would fundamentally change theWesternUnitedStates.
The conversation around water rights advocacy has come a long way since the daysofEdAbbey,whoseconcernforGlen Canyon dam was more characteristic of anarchist anti-government intervention than concern for its environmental impact. Today the conversation around theDoloresRivernavigatesoverallocation setaboutbytheColoradoRiverCompact, the endangered fish that rely on a perpetually flowing river, while agriculture in Montezuma Valley uses mostoftheflow.Forrecreationalboaters, the infamous Dolores River is only runnable when the reservoir overflows. The Dolores is a candidate for Wild and ScenicRiversActbytheUSForestService and Bureau of Land Management, providing protections for its Outstanding and Remarkable Value as a free-flowing river.However,in2022abillsupportedby theUteMountainUteTribe,alocalcattle rancher, conservation groups and the Southwestern Water Conservation District and the Western Small Miners Association was enacted to permanently protect over 68,000 acres of the Dolores RiverasaNationalConservationArea.
The film’s beautiful handheld camera work from the irrigated Montezuma Valley shows the contrast between arid plateau, lush, irrigated fields, and the dramaticDolorescanyon.Interviewswith wateruserssuchastribalgovernmentand irrigators to the region’s non-tribal farmers, boating advocates and endangeredspeciesconservationistscome
together to tell the various stories of Dolores water users. One thread that aligns these users is the fact that the conversation around problem solving needstoputasidedifferencesandputthe health of the people and the river first. When I spoke to Matan, he told me the mostdifficultpartwaschoosingwhatnot toincludeinthisstory.
Stillwater premieredforfriendsandfamily attheStateoftheRockiesDataViznight. Since, it has been nominated as a semifinalist at the Seattle Film Festival where the adventurous spirit film team finalized last year with their film Rootbound. The Seattle Film Festival celebratesthe Locally,thefilmhasbeen accepted into the Pikes Peak Docufest where it was showed Saturday October 4th
WATCH their film here.
JessDuran,‘25,andEllieLaCasse,’26answer
Ascreencapturetakenfrom Stillwater film.
2025 Student Research
in
Air | Photo by Parker Libby, ‘27
The Great Blue Herons of Crested Butte
By Annabel Meyer, ‘26
Thissummer, LilyFrost‘26spentherdaysin the wetlands of Crested Butte, Colorado, conducting field research through the college’s State of the Rockies Project. Her independentprojectfocusesontheSlateRiver Valley’s population of great blue herons—a species whose presence in the valley is both ecologically significant and increasingly vulnerable. The first phase of Lily’s project involvesmonitoringtheheronrookery,which shevisitsdailywithbinocularsinhand.“I’ve been going out for an hour or two each day, counting the number of chicks in each nest and documenting how they’re doing,” she said. This meticulous tracking is part of a broader effort to better understand population dynamics in the colony. Later in the summer, after the chicks fledge and leave thenests,Lilywillbeginphasetwo:assessing the health of the lodgepole pines that the herons rely on for nesting. “I'll go into the colonytomeasureeachtreeandevaluatethe overallconditionofthestand,”sheexplained. “Thegoalistoestimatehowlongthispartic-
-ular nesting site might remain viable.” The research builds on seven years of local heron monitoring conducted by Pat Magee, a professoratWesternColoradoUniversity.
LilyfirstvisitedCrestedButteduringher sophomore year and immediately felt a connection to the place. “It became a really special spot for me,” she said. “When I started thinking about what I wanted to research, I came across these colony reports and got interested in the impacts of human disturbance on the herons.”After sharing her idea with faculty,includingtheoriginalresearcher, they helped her shape and refine the project.“Wewereabletoidentifygapsin the existing data and figure out where I couldbuildontheworkthathadalready been done.” But the work hasn’t been without its challenges. “Navigating conservation protectionsandlandaccess hasbeena
big part of the learning curve,” Lily said. “Therookeryislocatedonlandinvolving both private owners and conservation easements, so making sure I’m working respectfullyandwithintheboundariesof thesiteissomethingI’vehadtobereally mindfulof.”
Lilyalsohopesherworkwillinspiremore engagement among Colorado College students. “There’s definitely a strong group at CC that’s passionate about birding, ecology, and conservation,” she said.“CrestedButteisaplacethatalotof students visit – this research could be a waytohelppeopleseeitinanewlight,as a living landscape that’s worth protecting.” Reflecting on her time in the field, Lily says the experience has transformedthewaysheseesbothscience andplace. “Thisresearchisn’tjustabout data – it’s about being present, paying attention,andtryingtoprotectsomething thatreallymatters.”
“The Beast of Our Time” is a short documentary film directed by Charlie Marksaboutgrizzlybearconservationist andVietnamWarveteranDougPeacock.
Charlie Marks has been a part of the Adventurous Spirit Film Team since he was a freshman, creating films Rootbound and Still Water during his timewiththeStateoftheRockies. After traveling to Doug’s home outside of YellowstoneParkinMontana,Charliegot to sit down and talk about Doug’s life; fromhistimeasafieldmedicinVietnam, tohavinghisfirstgrizzlybearencounter in Yellowstone and meeting environmental writer Ed Abbey, and servingasinspirationfortheruggedantiauthoritarian eco-sabateur figure, Hayduke in Abbey’s “The Monkey WrenchGang”,andfinallytodedicating his life work to documenting and advocating for the protection of the Grizzly Bear and the other large and misunderstood mammals in the greater Yellowstoneecosystemandtheworld.
ThisfilmisanintimateportraitofDoug’s life spent in the wilderness and what benefit preserved wilderness has for the humanspirit.Doug’sethosexpressesan appreciation for the wilderness, that we can’t continue to express dominion over theanimalkingdom.
The score was created by Colorado CollegestudentJimSellars,‘26,aspartof hisseniorthesiswork.
UN Sustainabile Development Goals
Doug Peacock in his Yellowstone home. | Still Image from The Beast of Our Time
A younger Doug in the backcountry | Image from MountainandPrairiewith EdRoberson
Charlie Marks filming on set.
Cyndy Hines
The shade provided by this burnt dead ponderosa pine boosts the orphan’s chance of surviving the intense summer heat while fire-released nutrient rich soil offers a short-term supply of available potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen.
Mother Tree, Waldo Canyon, Colorado | Photo by
A Summer in Waldo Canyon
By Annie O’Neill, ‘26
I never expected a summer so far outside my wheelhouse to be as fulfilling as it was.Butthat,Ithink,speakstothedeeply interdisciplinary nature of field research. Inourcase,wewereateamofresearchers, ecologists, scientists—as well as a writer andafilmmajor—allworkingtogetherto study the regrowth of Ponderosa Pine treesafterawildfirestruckWaldoCanyon in 2012. Each of us brought a unique perspective, and together, we saw ecological recovery as something much more than just a scientific question. By merging scientific research with storytelling, our team created a project that combined data, image and a narrative,allinanefforttocommunicate thecomplexityofecologicalrecoveryina waythatwasaccessibleandimpactful.
Themanylayersofthisproject,ourgroup, and our question mirrored the unruly, interconnected nature of landscape ecology itself. In the Rocky Mountain West, Pinus ponderosa forests are crucial insupportingawidewebofspeciesand
ecological interactions. These forests rely on low-intensity, periodic fires to clear undergrowth and make space for new saplings to grow. But Waldo Canyon is particularly vulnerable. Anthropogenic climate change, decades of fire suppression, rising temperatures, and prolongeddroughthaveallcontributedto an increase in both the frequency and severity of wildfires in the canyon. The 2012WaldoCanyonFirewascatastrophic. Over18,000acresburned,andwithmany areas where no standing trees remain, ponderosa Pine regrowth has been slow and uncertain. This transformed the previously fire-adapted system into one facingpossibletypeconversion.Insteadof regenerating as a ponderosa Pine forest, some areas may transition into grassland or scrubland ecosystems, a major shift in ecologicalstructure.
A decade later, our work in the canyon is criticaltounderstandingtheindicatorsof ecological recovery, and the long-term consequencesofextremefireslikethis
one.Ourfieldworkstartedeverydaywith an8:00AMalarmandapromptmeet-up by 8:30. Each morning, we headed into Waldo Canyon, the wind kicking up dust from the rugged Dakota sandstone, and overgrownbrushcreepingintotheroadas we climbed up Rampart Range. Downed treeslayineverydirection,theblackened remainsofthefirestarkagainstpocketsof vibrantgreen,theregrowth.Eachspeckof new growth felt hard-won, and we held onto that hope, searching each day for young ponderosa pines rising in the debris.
During the first 6–8 weeks, our work centered on laying transects. This is a method of establishing straight lines across the study area to standardize data collection. This approach enabled us to measure the distribution and presence of ponderosa Pines across various environmental gradients. We set up a total of 10 transects: five on north-facing slopes and five on south-facing slopes along Rampart Range Road. At each site, we marked the lines with flagging tape, recordedGPScoordinatesforeachcorner, and tagged individual trees with bright neon tape for the return later in the summer. Each day brought unexpected challenges—hiking through dense oak brambles, scrambling down rocky outcrops, or dodging the inevitable afternoon storms that define Colorado Springs summers. Success in the field reliedonmorethanscientificknowledge. It required stamina and a strong sense of adaptability. Then came our return. The most important part of the project: data collection. This was the part I was most nervous about, given my limited background in field study. But it didn’t takelongtorealizethateachofuswould find a rhythm—a way to contribute meaningfully to the process. Zoe had a keen eye for birds, excitedly calling out a Turkey Vulture whenever one soared low overhead.Katiewasfascinatedbyinsects,
Adele Davis, ‘26 conducting field work in Waldo Canyon | Photo by Macy McCauley, ‘25
spendingthesummerphotographingand collecting pollinators. Adele could instantly spot a misaligned transect, while Kade had a knack for climbing just about anything. Tori brought deep knowledge of geology, and as for me—I documented it all. The more time we spent together in the field, the more the lines between science, art, and storytellingblurred.
A pollinator buzzing by wasn’t just an insect;itwasasubjectforKatie’slensand a data point in our logbook. A rock formation was both geological history and part of our daily hike. It became evidently clear that no single discipline could fully capture what was happening inWaldoCanyon—weneededthemall.
Back at the transects, we began by walking to one corner and conducting a full“sweep”ofthequadrant.Eyespeeled, we moved carefully through the area, countingeveryPonderosaPinesaplingwe couldfindandcallingoutthenumbersto thegroup.Oncethesweepwascomplete, we ran lines to the center point of each quadrant. There, we measured soil temperatureineachcardinaldirection.
We then found the four nearest saplings and recorded their aspect, diameter at breastheight(DBH),andtheslopeofthe terrain. This process was repeated for all sixquadrantsthatmadeupeachtransect, foralltensites.
I remember the first time I spotted a sapling on my own. So tiny, almost frail, hidden under pine needles and ash. That smallgreenshoot,notallerthanmyknee, held the weight of an entire ecosystem's recovery.Thedatastoppedbeingabstract. Theforestbecamealivingstory,andIwas part of telling it. Over time, we began to noticepatterns.South-facingslopes(they aretypicallyhotter/drier),showedalower sapling density than north-facing slopes. In some quadrants, particularly those with higher tree cover from surviving trees, we observed slightly better regeneration. However, some sites showed no regeneration at all, especially in areas where the fire had completely consumed the site and no standing trees remained. We also noticed that saplings often grew near leftover tree trunks or fallen logs, suggesting that small spots likethesehelpnewtreesgetstartedafter afire.Soiltemperatureswereconsistently
higher on exposed slopes, often higher than temperatures shown to help with pineregeneration.
Although our sample size was limited, these findings show us that topography, weather conditions, and what was left behind after the fire all affect how well a forest can grow back. Because of this, ecological recovery in Waldo Canyon is notuniversal.It’spatchyandshapedbya web of physical and natural factors, similar to the group studying it. As wildfires grow more severe across the West,placeslikeWaldoCanyonarebotha cautionary tale and a case study. For us, understanding how, and if, Ponderosa Pines return isn’t just about this forest. It’saboutthefutureofentireecosystems, thespeciesthatdependonthem,andthe environmental impact we leave behind. I came into the summer unsure of what I could contribute. I left with a deeper respect for the slow and messy work of ecological recovery. Science doesn't exist alone.InaplacelikeWaldoCanyonwhere hope takes the form of a small sapling pushingthroughash,sharingthestoryis justasimportantascollectingthedata.
View of Pikes Peak from Waldo Canyon | Photo by Macy McCauley, ‘25
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Annie O’Neill, ‘26 in the field. Waldo Canyon Fire project, Pike National Forest, Woodland Park, Colorado | Photo by Macy McCauley, ‘25
Abstract
In the Rocky Mountain West, Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests make up a defining ecosystem of the region, providing critical ecological functions such as supporting biodiversity, carbon sequestration and regeneration in areas where no surviving trees remain[2,3].Thirteen years later, an investigation cycling, water regulation, and watershed stability [1]. Ponderosa pineforestsareanessentialhabitatfora diverse range of species and support a complex web of ecological interactions. Similar studies show catastrophic fire events such as the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire ponderosa pine negatively influence P.ponderosaoftherecoveryoftheareas impacted is crucial to understanding indicatorsofecosystemrecoveryandthe aftermathofdevastatingwildfires.
Ponderosa pine forests are particularly vulnerable to an increase in severity and frequency of forest fires due to anthropogenic climate change, fire suppression tactics, rising temperatures and extended periods of drought in the region.Recoveryof Pinus ponderosa is shaped by several factors, with aspect, slope, and burn severity strongly influencingtheoutcomeofregeneration. Fire moves faster and burns more intensely uphill, while lower, flatter slopes typically correspond with a less severeburn.Slopeandaspectalsoplaya role in burn severity with north-facing slopesretainingmoremoisture,receiving less direct solar radiation, and maintaining cooler soil and air temperatures throughout the growing season, which favors higher seedling establishment and survival. In contrast, south-facing slopes experience greater solar radiation, both limiting ponderosa pine regeneration and causing more intense fires due to drier fuel. There is littleempiricalunderstandingabouthow ponderosa pines re-establish forest standsfollowingseverefiresintheRocky Mountains. We seek to investigate this gap,usingthe2012WaldoCanyonFireas a case study. This fire was one of the largest natural disasters in Colorado History,burning18,247acres.Wefocused on areas burned during day four of the fire to standardize comparisons and evaluate regeneration dynamics. Using GIS-based slope mapping and field transects, we quantified seedling and sapling density, mature tree size and growth patterns, soil temperature, and other ecological indicators such as percent of understory vegetation cover. Wecanlinkthesedatatotopographyand burn severity, and aim to identify the conditions that are most conducive to ponderosapinerecovery.
We hypothesize that sites with lower slopes and north-facing aspects would havethegreatestdensityofseedlingand saplings due to the ecological factors discussed. Recording ponderosa pine seedling and sapling densities in these burnsitesoffersinsightsintothisspecies’ resilience 13 years post-fire; an absence may indicate that the long-term survival of ponderosa pines is threatened by the drierandhotterconditionsintheregion.
PollinatorAnalysis
Ponderosa Pine forests provide an essentialhabitatfornativebutterfliesand other insects due to their ecotonal structure and plant composition. Butterflies and bees play multiple ecological roles as both pollinators and larval herbivores, contributing to plant reproduction while serving as an indicator of host plant persistence and habitatintegrity.Theirsensitivitytofinescale environmental changes make them incredibleecosystemhealthgaugesfor
Waldo Canyon team members in Waldo Canyon | Photo by Macy McCauley, ‘25
Sapling Counts Histograms
orof Ecosystem Recovery Thirteen
Waldo Canyon Fire
wood, ‘27,
Annie O’Neill, ‘26, Tori Trimble, ’26, Sophie Volchenboum, ‘26
evaluating postfire forest recovery. While we were in the field, specimens were collected as the opportunity arose using bug nets and kill jars containing a concentration of ethyl acetate to quickly andethicallypreservetheinsects.During collection, date, site and quad location was recorded, as well as the behavior, habitatandtheplanttheinsectwasonif applicable.Bugswerestoredinthefreezer for preservation and rehydrated for 2-24 hours, using a tupperware and damp paper towels, before pinning. Spreading boards were used to mount the specimens, while pins and parchment paper were used to keep the insects in placewhiledrying,afterwhichtheywere placed on display boards. Although specimen collection began in 2024, and dataforbiodiversityandspeciesrichness iscompiledfromboth2024and2025,we refined the methodology significantly to prioritize being as non-invasive and efficient as possible while valuing conservation and promoting recovery. Because pinningis so crucial in the identification process, we felt specimen collection necessary, but attempted to collect no more than one of each species in order to gain insight into what is presentwithout decimating the population as to hinder the very growth our study is supporting. We additionally noted our observations in the field, including the plants and habitats where ourspecimenswerefoundandpollinators seeninthefieldbutnotcollected.
Methods-DataCollection
After randomly generating 25 sites for both North-facing and South-facing slopes(50totalsites),weusedArcGisPro tomeasurethedistanceofeachsitefrom the road and used topographic layers to infer the accessibility of data collection. The50siteswerenarroweddownto10
totalsitesbasedonaccessibility.Oncewe arrived at the point, we selected a compassbearingtofollowtheridgeline. Usingourcompassesand100mtransects, one person remained stationary while another crew member followed the bearings for the entire 100m transect, using flagging to mark the boundaries and corners of each square. At each site, ourentirestudyareawaswithina300m x 200m rectangle, that was bisected in the middle of the 200m transect and divided into thirds across the 300m transect, therefore making 6 100m2 quadrants. We took GPS coordinates at the 4 corners of each full rectangular transect, which were mapped in ArcGis Protoensurethattheywerefullywithin the bounds of the 4th day of the fire. Some sites were excluded after having laidthetransectsforthisreason.Thedata collection process began once we had successfully laid five North-facing and fiveSouth-facingtransectsthatwerefully within the bounds of the fourth day fire boundary.Ateachsite,werecordeddata forall6quadrants.Ineachquadrant,we beganbyperforminga‘sweep,’inwhich data collectors would spread across one boundary of the transect and walk towardtheoppositeboundary(following thebearingoftheparalleltransect)while counting all ponderosa pine saplings under five feet tall. After recording t he total sapling counts and estimating vegetation cover for that quadrant, we would locate the center of the quadrant by walking 50 meters along the transect and 50 meters perpendicular to the bearing followed for the first 50 meters. Fromthecenter,wewouldrecordthesoil temperature at the center point, as well as 25m away from the center in each cardinal direction. We located the 4 nearestponderosapinetreestothecenter of the quadrant using the Nearest Neighbormethod(iftherewerenoliving
trees, we would locate the nearest dead ponderosapinetrees).
Foreachofthe4nearesttrees,wewould measure the distance to the center point, thediameterofthetree,recordtheaspect ofthetreeusingacompass,andtheslope of each tree using an inclinometer. If the tree was living and mature enough, we would extract a core from the tree for further analysis of the age. Finally, we recordedGPScoordinatesatthecenterof each quadrant. All data recorded in the field was transferred to spreadsheets for statisticalanalysisandmapping.
FutureSteps
Throughout the course of this academic year, we plan to perform statistical analysesbetweensaplingabundanceand growth rates, soil temperatures, slope, and aspect in order to determine which biotic and abiotic factors may act as indicators for ecosystem recovery following the Waldo Canyon Wildfire of 2012. Additionally, we plan to mount the tree cores we collected in the field to understand the impacts of the fire on standing,livingtreesthatprecedethefire.
Kadeisanorganismalbiologyandecologymajorandplanningonminoringinenvironmental studies.GrowingupinColoradoSprings,Coloradohiswholelife,hehasaclosenesswithhis homeandiseageraboutgainingecologicalexperienceandknowledgearoundthespaceshe grew up in. Despite having a deep aspiration and passion for marine ecologyand conservation, he is excited to apply his coursework to the mountains and foothills. Kade enjoysdancing,gardening&propagatingplants,andcollectinghippomemorabilia.
Adele Davis, ‘26
AdeleDavisisaStudentResearchEcologistworkingontheWaldoCanyonFireProject.Sheis majoring in organismal biology and ecology, with minors in molecular biology and Anthropology. Her interests lie at the intersection of these fields: understanding a given species at the molecular, evolutionary, and ecological levels and the role of human disturbancesonthesesystems.BornandraisedinBoise,Idaho,inherfreetime,sheenjoys running,hiking,skiing,andplayingpianoandguitar.
Oden Hoff, ‘27
Oden is a Northfield, Minnesota resident who is a organismal biology and ecology major. Odenenjoysknitting,cooking,ceramics,andFrisbee.AveryfunfactisthatOdensanginan opera!
Zoe Lesak, ‘27
Zoë Lesak is an organismal biology and ecology student with minors in Environmental Studies and French from Chicago, Illinois. She is passionate about using ecological relationships to find holistic climate solutions and hopes to become a researcher in the ecologyfield.AsamemberoftheWaldoCanyonTeam,Zoëisinterestedintheconservation of montane forest ecosystems and wildfire ecology. Outside of the classroom, Zoë plays ultimatefrisbeewithZephyrUltimate,playsherguitarwithfriends.
Meet the 2025 Waldo Team
Katie Lockwood, ‘27
Katie is a rising junior at Colorado College majoring in film and media studies and environmentalsciencewithaminorinjournalism.GrowingupintheRockyMountains,she hasseenfirsthandtheimpactsofwildfireonthisecosystemandispassionateaboutfurther studying it. Katie is committed to personal and impactful storytelling to drive conservation efforts,andinherfreetimeshelovestosilversolder,snowboard,andswininalpinelakes.
Annie O’Neill, ‘26
Annie is from Chicago, Illinois and is a creative writing major. She enjoys being outside, hiking, swimming, and running, which is why she took up a job as a research assistant in WaldoCanyonthissummer.Sheisarisingsenior,andlovedspendingeverydayoutsidethis summerandinthetrees!
Tori Trimble, ‘26
Tori is an organismal biology and ecology major and philosophy minor originally from Lexington,Kentucky.Herhobbies,outsideofworkingforStateoftheRockies,includerugby, clay club, pet sitting, and all other outdoor activities. Her work researching fire mitigation strategies and the impact on pollinators aligns with her interests in pursuing conservation ecologyandanimalscienceafterundergraduateschool.
SophieVolchenbaum,‘26
SophieVolchenboumisanOrganismalBiologyandEcologymajorwithaminorinMandarin. Sophie grew up in the city of Chicago but is committed to wildlife conservation and animal rehabilitationasafuturecareer.Thatbeingsaid,Sophiealsovaluesstudyingecology,asitis vital to the success of animal and habitat conservation. Outside of her academics, Sophie lovesmusic,art,andherdogs.
MattCooney
Matt has been working at CC and with State of the Rockies for nearly 7 years. Providing expertiseintheGISandremotesensingfields,heassistsRockies'students,staff,andfaculty withresearch,analysis,data,cartography,andtechnology.MattenjoysworkingwithStateof the Rockies as he holds shared beliefs with their mission and goals and is passionate about aligning technology, teaching, and student development around issues in the Rocky MountainRegion.
Alyssa Tews
AlyssajoinedtheCCcommunityintheSummerof'24andiscontinuallyinspiredbytheState of the Rockies group. With a background heavily seated in ecology and geospatial animal sciences—Alyssahopestoempowerstudentsandfacultyinspatialanalysissotheycanthink criticallyaboutthespacesaroundthem.
Shamdeed Kabir, Alum, ‘25
Sham,'25,graduatedfromColoradoCollegewithaBAinComputerScience.Hehasbeenpart of the Waldo team since his sophomore year, primarily working on statistical modeling of forest regeneration,and occasionally doing field work. State of the Rockies has allowed him to explore and strengthen his career interests over the years. Sham is currently a Bioinformatics Data Science PhD student at the University of Delaware, where he investigatesthegenomicsofdynamicallele-specificexpressionduringdevelopment.Outside ofresearch,Shamisanavidantiquecoincollectorandcarenthusiast,wholovestotravelto differentcountriesandenjoysbackpacking,fishing,andkayaking.Shamhashelpedwiththe statistical analyses for the Waldo Canyon project since 2023 and continues to help with modelingthefielddata.
Waldo Canyon flowers, Hymenoxys spp. Common Name: Bitterweed |
Photo by Macy McCauley ‘25
Colorado Moon | Photo by Macy McCauley, ‘25
Aurora Borealis over the Rocky Mountain West
By Alice O’Neill-Freeman, ‘27
In mid-May of 2024 rocky mountain regionresidentsdrovefarfromcitylights and waited. As the night got darker and skies full of stars unfolded above them, shimmering pinks, reds, purples, blues, and greens blossomed against the starceiling. They looked up in awe, watching the aurora borealis spread into long ribbonsanddanceinthemountainstates’ skies.
I delved into the phenomenon of the appearance of the aurora borealis in the Rocky Mountain Region, looking to combineartandscienceinmyproject,the epitome of the aurora borealis itself. I explored photos that people took of the northern lights all throughout the rocky mountain region in the summer and fall of 2024. The majority of those that I successfully collected were taken in Colorado on May 11, 2024. I then interviewed a solar scientist about the aurora borealis, and created an exhibit thatisuponthethirdfloorofTuttlibrary atColoradoCollege.
The northern lights are usually seen in Norway, Canada, Finland, and other countries beneath the auroral oval. But recently,residentsoftheRockyMountain West were treated to quite the lights show, along with other more southern areas,suchasFlorida.Northernlightsare theeffectsof large explosionsofplasma andmagneticfield,calledgeomagnetic
These occur in the sun's outermost atmosphere, the corona, producing a continual stream of charged protons and electronsthat,inaplasmastate,aresent into the magnetic sphere and along Earth's magnetic field toward the poles. Theglowinglights,typicallyseeninpolar regions, are visible in more southern latitudesduringthetimewhenthesunis most active, or at the solar maximum; a cyclethatrecursaboutevery11years.
Accordingtoscientists,therehasnotbeen a storm at this level since 2003, making May’s storm the largest in over 20 years. Itisduetotheintensityofthisstormthat the aurora was so bright over the Rocky Mountain West skies. Scientists expect thesolarmaximumtocontinueinto2026, so it is possible that Rocky Mountain regionresidentswillagainbegracedwith thenorthernlights’shimmeringpresence thisyear.
Caption: As the sunspot number increases, so does solar cycle strength. The solar maximum is predicted to extend into 2026 before declining. Solar Cycle 2025 forecast produced by Solar Cycle 2025 Prediction Panel, co-chaired by NASA and NOAA. (1)
Taken from plane, departed from Denver May 11, 2024, 12:05 AM | Photo by Erin Cheong
Some residents saw a red aurora in the clouds above them. The excited state of oxygen atoms– when their electrons move to higher orbitals– has a mean lifetime of 100 seconds for the red line emission. This means it mainly occurs at higher elevations: at altitude, oxygen atoms collide less frequently due to the lower temperature and atmospheric density,allowingenoughtimeforthemto emitredlight.Additionally,whenthereis an especially strong magnetic storm, and the lights can be seen at lower latitudes, red auroras are more prevalent. These twofactorscontributedtosomeredskies intherockymountainstatesinMay2024 (2).
I interviewed Ryan French, a solar physicist currently working at the Laboratory for Atmospheric & Space Physics in Boulder, Colorado, to learn more about what is currently known abouttheaurora.
Does climate change play a role in the frequency, appearance, or location of the aurora?
Thecurrentresearchfindsthatthereisno evidence of this. The frequency of the northernlightsdependsonsolaractivity. The solar cycle that results in the appearance of the aurora over Earth is consistent, lasting 11 years. It is active at the moment; we are at the solar maximum. Therefore there are frequent northern lights appearances. The measuringsystemofgeomagneticstorms is G1-5, G5 being the highest. G5 is the level we had in May. We have not had a G5 since 2003. In the past two years we have had three or four G-levels. This will be common for the next 2-3 years. The question is how big is this cycle going to be?
What is still unknown about this cosmic phenomenon?
We struggle to predict what we will see visuallyonEarth.Wemeasurethesunall the time, and see the eruptions from 93 million miles away. The clouds of hot plasma released from the sun travel incrediblyfast,andstilltake2-4daysto
We struggle to predict what we will see visuallyonEarth.Wemeasurethesunall the time, and see the eruptions from 93 million miles away. The clouds of hot plasma released from the sun travel incredibly fast, and still take 2-4 days to reach earth. We are blind for four days while it is traveling, and there is not enoughinformationtoknowwhenitwill arriveonearth.Forecastingisdifficult.
Do you have any stories? Personal experiences with the aurora?
On May 11th, I went to the top right corner of Colorado, Pawnee National Grasslands. I slept in my car to see the aurora. I was interviewed by CNN at midnight. I looked up when it finished, not on the horizon but right overhead, and saw what looked like festival spotlights. The aurora was visibly green to eyes. It was like I was underneath curtainsblowinginthewind.Thisisthe first time we’ve had an event this big in 20yearsinColorado.
In1619Galileodonnedthelightsglowing in the sky above him the “aurora borealis,” meaning northern dawn (3). Aurora derives from the Roman goddess ofdawn,borealisfromBoreas,theGreek god of the north wind. He believed the lights were a reflection of the sun from theatmosphere.
Different peoples hold different beliefs about the significance of the phenomenon. Many of them have to do withdeath:theNorsebelievedthemtobe the weapons of Valkyries guiding dead soldiers to Valhalla, the Inuit of Hudson Bay believe the lights to be demons’ lanterns who were looking for lost souls. In many parts of Europe, the appearance of the bright ribbons in the sky was interpreted as an omen of war. However, the lights were not always seen as a negativeomen:inancientFinnishculture, a fox’s tail brushing against the winter snowwasbelievedtoignitesparks,which rose to the sky and formed the aurora borealis(4).
Although the aurora is usually seen at more northern latitudes, there is a rich history of the lights in the Rocky Mountains.Thestrongerthegeomagnetic storm, the more likely it is that the “northern” lights will be seen farther south. The phenomenon is noted in the Lewis and Clark journals starting in the 1814 edition, when they were traversing the Rockies. Nicholas Biddle, who was partoftheexpedition,wroteoftheaurora that “after glittering for some time its colours would be overcast, and almost obscured, but again it would burst out withrenewedbeauty;theuniformcolour waspalelight,butitsshapeswerevarious and fantastic” (5). Aurora sightings by indigenoustribesgoingbackgenerations
Viewthevideo
in the Rockies– before Lewis and Clark–are a sure thing, despite the limited writtenrecord.
IcouldfindinformationontheArapaho’s relationship with the aurora, who historically inhabited present-day Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Kansas.
According to the Arapaho Language ProjectbytheUniversityofColorado,the Arapahobelievedtheauroraborealiswas a sign of coming storms. Additionally, therearereportsofthemshootingarrows into the night sky at the bright aurora in order to drive it away, and burning incensewhenitappeared(6).Thisfearof thelightsalignswiththeglobalthemeof perceiving them as a bad omen; bringing death,war,orstorms.
First-hand accounts tell of the teachings passed down through time in indigenous communities in areas where the written recorddoesnot.
Dana Nez, a member of the Diné tribe fromTohatchi,NewMexico,spokeonthe Native America Calling radio show about her experience with the northern lights. She explains that Tohatchi is near the FourCornersatthebaseofthemountains
Elizabeth,Colorado
May11,2024,12:34AM|PhotobyAidenVarnak
andhas“oneofthebestdarkskiesinthe world.” She lives on a small ranch with sheep, cattle, and horses, and since she was young they would drive the animals up the mountain in the summer. There hergrandpasawthenorthernlights,and toldhertheyare“burstsofenergy”inthe sky. She explains that “for [Diné], way backintheBlackWorld,alltherewaswas energy, bursts of energy. They talk about a white column, a blue column, a yellow column, a black column, those are the colors of light they emitted. The energy within our sacred mountains, the energy within all of our sacred deities, are these very same columns of light. To me as an astronomer, a cultural teacher, and a student of Diné philosophy, that is the same thing [as the northern lights].” Nez wastoldtonotlookattheaurora,likeshe does not look at the moon or any eclipse as“itmeansdeathforyou.”(7)
The Iyarhe (Stoney) Nakoda people’s traditional territory extends from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountain Foothills near Southern Alberta. The Northern Lights, or Wanâri Wagichibi in Stoney, are revered in their culture. I interviewed Cherith Mark, a member of the Stoney Nakoda tribe to learn more about the aurora borealis through her eyes.MarkhelpedcreatetheNightrise
interactiveartexhibitionincollaboration with Moment Factory in Banff National Park, an immersive experience to honor her “community, language, stories, and land.” It celebrates different aspects of mountain nights in Banff. Wanâri Wagichibi is featured, which means spirits dancing; evocative of the Stoney perspectiveoftheaurora.
What does the aurora borealis mean in Stoney culture?
InourStoneytraditionalteachings,we’re told not to take pictures of the Northern Lights.Theyaresacred—thepresenceof ourancestors,meanttobewitnessed,not capturedortakenlightly.Capturingthem is disrespectful and can even invite unwanted energy. When the lights appear, some people offer prayers or tobacco, take a moment of silence, or share stories with their families. It becomes a time for reflection, remembrance, and connection to the spiritworld.
Our beliefs don’t always manifest in a publicceremony,buttheyliveoninquiet moments, in the choices people make, and in the deep respect that many still carry when they look up and see the sky dance.
PawneeNationalGrassland,Colorado
May10&11,2024,11:30PM-1:30AM|PhotobyRyanFrench
Do you have a personal connection to the aurora?
For me, the Northern Lights have always felt like a reminder that we’re not alone. I’m in awe of their beauty — a living reminder of the spirit world, dancing across the sky. I rarely see them where I live,butwhenIdo,IthanktheCreatorfor allowing me that moment. It feels like a gift - a quiet sign that something greater iswatchingoverus.
Differentindigenouscultureshavediffer-
-ent teachings around the lights, but manycultivaterespectfortheearth.Most customs around interaction with the aurora among indigenous peoples in the Rockies are in stark contrast to nonindigenous culture around the lights in the Rockies today. As people flood out to the aurora and set up camp, professional cameras, and guided tours, others avoid looking at the colorful sky out of respect for their ancestors, partake in private ceremony, or do not even talk about the aurora. Amidst the monetization of the northernlights,theyremainareminder
of the power of the earth and the sun; of our connection to both. For many people today the lights are grounding through theawetheyinspire.
As we in the Rocky Mountain Region experience the glowing product of an infrequently powerful geomagnetic storm, know the varied significance it holds in different cultures, and the significance it holds to the people who used to roam this land. We are not the first to see these ribbons of light moving above the mountains, nor will we be the last.
2.Lummerzheim, D. (n.d.). The colors of the Aurora (U.S. National Park Service). National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/articles/articles-aps-v8-i1-c9.htm
1.Interante, A. (2024, October 16). NASA, NOAA: Sun Reaches Maximum Phase in 11-year solar cycle - NASA science. NASA. https://science.nasa.gov/scienceresearch/heliophysics/nasa-noaa-sun-reachesmaximum-phase-in-11-year-solar-cycle/ 2.Lummerzheim, D. (n.d.). The colors of the Aurora (U.S. National Park Service). National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/articles/articles-aps-v8-i1-c9.htm
3.Sutherland,P.(2024,April25).Abriefhistoryof aurora science. BBC Sky at Night Magazine. https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/space-
3.Sutherland,P.(2024,April25).Abriefhistoryof aurora science. BBC Sky at Night Magazine. https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/spacescience/brief-history-aurora-science
4.Purewal-Legha, Anadi (2023) "Aurora Borealis — not BORE-alis! The Northern Lights’ Ancient Legends and Scientific Wonders," The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine: Vol. 38: Iss. 1, Article4.
5.Nicholas Biddle, History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark. (2 vols., 1814; reprint, with an introduction by John Bakeless, New York: HeritagePress,1962),I:78.
6. Beliefs Related to Winter. The Arapaho Project. (2006).
5.Nicholas Biddle, History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark. (2 vols., 1814; reprint, with an introduction by John Bakeless, New York: HeritagePress,1962),I:78.
The Relationship Between Political Affiliation and Use of Outdoor Space: A Colorado Springs Case Study
By Libby Cutler, ‘26 and Annabel Meyer, ‘26 with Cyndy Hines
Despite public lands usage being a typically bipartisan activity, in recent months the current administration has madestridestowardssellingpubliclands, unprotecting national parks, and selling crucial natural resources. According to Ziegler et al., political orientation in the USA is by far the most relevant factor in generalclimatechangebeliefs.Thisstudy explores the relationship between political affiliation and outdoor spaces usage in Colorado Springs. The research aims to uncover how the city’s political culture shapes its approach to managing andusingpublicspaces.Ourmethodology includes a policy analysis of municipal proposals, a literature review investigatingacorrelationofinformation onpoliticalorientationandoutdoorspace useintheUnitedStates,ArcGISmapping technology, as well as in-person surveys given at eight separate public parks in ColoradoSprings.
The methodology of this study is interdisciplinary and uses multiple forms of media. The first form is ArcGIS mapping of the data that has been collected. This mapping will show how political affiliation and thoughts about green space are spread out throughout different zip codes in Colorado Springs. Our other form of data collection was an in-personsurveythatwasgiventopeople throughout eight different parks in ColoradoSprings.Thesurveyconsistedof 10questions,andwastypicallycompleted within1-2minutes.Wesurveyedeveryone who was willing to take the survey. To keep the results uniformed, the survey wasonlygivenineachparkfor1.5hours. Thequestionnaireisshownonthisposter. Usingbothofthesemethodologiesallows the project to have more informed informationandconclusions.
Survey data revealed that while many residentscitedaccesstopubliclandsand greenspaceasamajorreasonforlivingin Colorado Springs, they simultaneously expressedsupportforurbandevelopment and predominantly identified as Republican. This pattern illustrates the tensions between valuing access to natural spaces and supporting policies that favor urban development. Our study points to the need for a more nuanced understanding of how political culture influencesthestewardshipofpubliclands inrapidlydevelopingcities.
Erosional Reduction in the Rocky Mountain West: Lev Sugerman-Brozan ‘26
By Alison Mueller-Hickler, ‘26
This past summer, Colorado College senior, Lev Sugerman-Brozan, worked with Professor Sarah Schanz to more deeply understand the geology of the RockyMountainWest.
Abstract:
Traditional landscape cycles showcase erosional reduction of mountain belts post-orogenesis (e.g., Davis, 1899). Elevationsteadilydecreasesasafunction of time, eventually reaching a dynamic equilibrium. Most fluvial systems are thought to reach such an equilibrium (where uplift is balanced by erosion) on geologic timescales. Yet post-orogenic landscapes globally preserve signals of topographic dynamism well after major orogenies have occurred (e.g., Marder et al.,2023).Post-orogenicrejuvenationhas beenidentifiedinmountainbeltsaround the world, including the southern Appalachians (Gallen et. al 2011, 2013), theTibetanPlateau(Schmidtetal.2015; Maetal.2020),theColoradoPlateau
(Pederson et al., 2002; Moucha et al., 2008;Karlstrometal.,2012;Tanskietal., 2025), and the southern Rocky Mountains and adjacent Great Plains (McMillan et al., 2002; Anderson et al., 2006; Eaton, 2008; Marder et al., 2023, 2025).Inparticular,ongoingtopographic dynamism of the southern Rocky Mountains (SRM) and the adjacent
maintain high relief, steep topography, and display signals of dramatic fluvial incision, despite cessation of active orogenesis ca. 40 Myr ago (Bird 1998; DeCelles, 2004; Weil & Yonkee, 2023). This study aims to test competing hypotheses of post-orogenic topographic rejuvenation in the SRM by mapping, quantifyingandprojectingstreamcapture events at the crest of the Colorado Wet Mountains (CWM). Rates of drainage dividemigrationcoupledwithtimingand magnitudeofstreamcaptureeventsallow for the evaluation of such hypotheses (Johnson, 2020), and the direction and orientations of such events may provide key constraints on the controversial
Lev collecting samples in the field.
One of the rock hammers Lev used to conduct his. research
Backpacking to Copper Lake, East Maroon Pass, CO | Photo by Kayla Mackel ‘26
Fostering a Passion for Outdoor Exploration
By Alice O’Neill-Freeman, ‘27 and Waverly Fisher, ‘27
This summer, State of the Rockies fellow Mary Cate Kiser ‘27 worked at Coombs Outdoors in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. CoombsOutdoorsisanorganizationthat focuses on making the outdoors more accessible for communities that cannot afford outdoor recreation. Their three programs, Activate, Engage, and Empower, are provided for elementary, middle, and high schoolers, respectively. Somekidscompleteallthree.TheCoombs Outdoors website states that “People come from around the world to experience Jackson Hole’s iconic public lands and recreation opportunities. But not all locals have that same accessmany Teton County families experience barriers to our outdoor recreation culture.” Through their programs, Coombs hopes to break down those barriers while building a sense of local community, increasing kids’ confidence, and improving kids’ mental health. Mary Cateworkedwithelementaryschoolersin the Activate program, helping many of them engage in outdoor activities for the first time, specifically mountain biking androckclimbing.
In Fall 2024, Mary Cate attended the Teaching and Research in Environmental Education (TREE) semester provided by ColoradoCollegeoutsideWoodlandPark, Colorado. According to Mary Cate, TREE inspired her to work in environmental education this summer, and to possibly pursueacareerinthefield.Ahighlightof the residential semester program is the experiential teaching portion, where participants write up a curriculum and teachelementarystudentsenvironmental science classes for a total of nearly 100 hours.
TREE helped teach her how to nurture love and respect for outdoors spaces in these students, and she emphasizes the importanceofhavingeducatorswiththis knowledge. Colorado College suspended TREEindefinitelyafterthe2024semester
upon the retirement of its founder and director, Dr. Howard Drossman. Mary Cateexpressedthatthisisaloss,notonly for the college students that could experiencethestunningmontaneforestof the Catamount Center, but also for the elementary students that will no longer have the opportunity to learn about and connectwiththatland. Shenotesthatshe builtamazingrelationshipsandhad“lifefilled experiences” there, lamenting the denialoffutureColoradoCollegestudents thisuniquejoy.
Nonetheless, at Coombs Outdoors, Mary Cate continued the work of building compassion and empathy for the natural world; instilling in children a connection with nature that they hopefully maintain as adults. She was able to watch the children that she worked with create a connection to their natural surroundings that then gave way to passion and joy. Mary Cate found all of them to be very caring and empathetic towards each other,andoverthecourseoftheprogram, shewasabletoseethemexpressthiscare towards the environment. For example, there was one boy who would kill bugs every time he saw them at the beginning of his week at Coombs Outdoors, but by the end of the week, he would tell everyonenottokillbugs.
One lesson she took from her summer position with the organization is the importance of giving children access to the outdoors as they are growing and developing. Since one can’t form a sense ofurgencyorcaretoprotectaspacethat they don’t have connection to, helping kids form a bond with the nature that surrounds them is essential to securing thefutureofenvironmentalaction.
She noticed that their appreciation for the outdoors in all aspects grew, as they would go on walks as a group and were attentiveandquiet,payingmindtotheir surroundings.SomeofthekidswhoMary Cateshowednaturalproclivitiesinoneof the activities that she taught, whether it wasmountainbiking,swimming,orrock climbing. Although she was only with each group for a week, she was inspired by and created bonds with the children. Shetaughtthemwaystorecreateoutside that they wouldn’t regularly have access to, while they taught her how to say wordsinSpanish,suchas“rock”,“river”, and“fish”.
The children enrolled in Coombs Outdoors splash in
Bottom Photo: One child rows the raft. | Photo by Mary Cate Kiser, ‘27
Fall Inferno | Photo by Ollie Beland, ‘25
Roots Unearthed: The Story of The Felling of TREE
By
An interview with Julie Francis, co-founder
By Theo Casper,
‘28
Lastspring,Ihadthechancetointerview Julie Francis, the co-founder of Catamount Institute and the Teaching & Research in Environmental Education (TREE) program. For over 10 years, the TREE semester program has been a unique opportunity for students at CC to learn about the environment, conduct research, engage with the natural world, and teach outdoor education. Now, with co-founder Dr. Howard Drossman’s retirement,theboardofColoradoCollege hasdecidedtoputtheprogramonhold–indefinitely.
In1997,JulieFrancisandherhusband,Dr. HowardDrossman,discoveredtheyhada common dream – to create a program that could provide environmental education for all. Once The Trust for PublicLandreachedouttoletthemknow they were preserving the land of the YMCA Catamount Ranch on the north side of Pikes Peak, they followed their intuition and made a swift decision to purchase the land. After obtaining this land, they named their organization the Catamount Institute. With each passing year,theInstitutehelpedurbanyouth
who were learning to connect with the abundant nature surrounding Colorado Springs.
Acquiringthese177acresturnedouttobe more fruitful than Julie had envisioned, enablingtheInstitutetoeducateaspiring environmental leaders, K-12 youth, and adults.Afterseveralyears,thenumberof studentsparticipatinggrewtomorethan 5,000 annually. In 2014, both Howard and Julie decided to collaborate with Colorado College and create a program specifically for CC undergraduates with an environmental interest. They applied for the Big Idea competition that CC offered at that time, and won $5,000. With their winnings and CC’s enthusiasticsupport,theymanagedtoget the program up and running within a year.
This 16-week semester program, known as TREE, has provided CC undergrads with a foundation of environmental stewardship and awareness, and for many, unveiled a direct pathway to environmental restoration and outdoor education.Connectingtheneedsofthis
world with the needs of students is a simple but necessary aspect of learning thatsooftengetslostuponenteringwhat werecognizeasaconventionaleducation system.Throughcommunalbondingand collaborative,immersivenature-learning, the TREE program engages students by providing them with one of our basic needsashumans:abreathoffreshair.
through a lens of stewardship and environmental conservation. By coupling a hands-on approach with an immersive naturesettingandassuringstudentshave asafespacetocollaborateandbecurious, TREE pushes the boundaries of what highereducationcanlooklike.
After speaking with Julie about the general outline of the program,I wanted tounderstandwhyithadsuchaprofound impact on its students. Without hesitation,Julierecitedthe7Stheory,the core values of TREE that serve as a foundation for exploration: Science, Systems, Spirit, Society, Stewardship, Service,andSustainability.The7Stheory, dedicated educators, and an immersive environmentarewhatmakethisprogram so unique. TREE invited its students to integrate these values into their daily lives with the hope of enhancing their awareness of their surroundings and encouraging conscious and compassionate decisions. In addition, all studentsreadBraidingSweetgrass,which
highlights the deep connection between people and the land, contrasting a corporate, capitalist mindset with one thatseeseverypartofnatureassacred.
Another aspect that compelled the program forward was the inclusion of an indigenous presence. Ute and Cherokee elders taught students about the importance of the land through indigenoustraditions,whichpreserveand nurturethelandthathumansaresooften out of touch with. In retrospect, Julie acknowledged that after incorporating Indigenous knowledge, students were more comfortable with those around them, as it opened up the possibility for deeper discussions and communal reflection. For the final project, the students, or stewards as Julie referred to them, were tasked with creating and teaching an extensive curriculum centered around connecting youth in ColoradoSpringstonaturewhilelearning about the environment and the anthropogenicimpactsdictatingthestate
ofourclimate.
WiththesuspensionofTREE,Julieisnow dedicating the majority of her time to greater community engagement and connectingwiththeyouthintheSprings. The TREE program fostered an environment where students could exploretheircuriosityandtheirpassions, and for many, this was an invaluable opportunity.
Throughout our interview, Julie made it clearthatsheiseagertogetTREEupand running again if the college allows. The first step to restoration is raising awareness about the fragility of our ecosystems. Julie hopes to revise the TREE program in collaboration with otherenvironmentaleducatorstomakeit moreeffective.
If we continue to turn a blind eye to global warming and our planet, our society will no longer be able to sustain itselfinthefuture.Thisprogramisoneof many that can help prevent climate change from worsening and remind us thatwearenotonlyindividuals,butalso partofsomethinglargerthanourselves.
“I just couldn’t believe that a city as big as Colorado Springs didn’t have an environmental education program... it was a niche that needed to be filled”
JulieFrancisbeinginterviewed|PhotobyTheo Casper
Handies Peak 2 | Photo by Liam Ferguson, ‘27
Student Researchers and River Science
By: Annie O’Neill, ‘26
This summer, a group of students took their science out of the classroom and into the summer, working with geomorphologist Dr. Sarah Schanz to study rivers across the American West. From the mountains to rapids, these students explored how rivers behave, change,andshapethelandaroundthem. Their research took them to places like Colorado’sWetMountains,theSangrede Cristos,andClarkForkRiverinMontana.
Avery Ordner: Mapping How Rivers Curve
Avery Ordner spent her summer in the GISlab.GISisusefulinthatitallowsthe user to collect, measure, compare, and visualize river characteristics across different environments. This is by using maps, satellite images, and powerful software to study how rivers bend and twist.
She focused on something called sinuosity, which is a way of measuring howmucharivercurves.Astraightriver hasasinuosityof1.0.Ifariverloopsand winds, the number goes up. Avery wanted to see how different types of landscapesaffecthowmuchariverbends —comparing rivers flowing over ice (supraglacial), frozen ground (permafrost), solid rock (bedrock), and loosesoilandsediment(alluvial).
UsingatoolcalledArcGISPro,shebuilta ystem to collect data on hundreds of rivers across the United States. This includednotonlysinuositybutalso
stream size and how much land drains intoeachriver.
Now that she has all this information, Averyisworkingongraphsandchartsto look for patterns. Her results could help scientists better understand how rivers respondtothegroundtheyflowthrough —and how they might change as climateswarmandlandscapesshift.
Emmaline Derry: Rafting and Rapids Emmaline Derry spent her summer on the water. She led a research trip down the Clark Fork River in Montana, a place sheknowswell.Emmalinehasworkedas awhitewaterraftingguidethereformore thanfouryears.
This time, she returned to the river as a scientist, studying rapids, which are steepsectionsofariverwherethewater crashes over rocks and drops quickly. In geology, these are called kickpoints, and they often happen where strong rock or fault lines change the shape of the riverbed.
To figure out why certain rapids form wheretheydo,Emmalineandherteam— including Alyssa Tews from the GIS lab and Dr. Schanz—used tools like a Schmidt hammer to measure how hard the rock was, Fracture spacing tools to see how cracked the rocks were, and advanced drones to take detailed photos andvideosfromabove.Overthreedaysof rafting,theystudiedseveralrapidsand
foundearlyevidencethatatleastonewas formed by a fault, where a new, harder rock had pushed up and forced the river to drop and speed up—creating the rapid.
For Emmaline, the research meant more than just science. “Being able to study a river I’ve guided on for years made the experiencesopersonal,”shesaid.“Itwas an amazing way to connect my love for riverswithrealscience.”
Other Fieldwork Adventures
Evenmorestudentsjoinedtheprojectin thefield:
Willow Craighead and Lev Sugerman-Brozan studied rivers in the Wet Mountains of Colorado, lookingathowstreamsinteractwith thesurroundinggeology.
AndySameshimaconductedresearch in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Baca, collecting data for the team’slargerriverstudies.
Eachstudentfocusedondifferentpartsof riverscience,butalltheirworkaddedtoa betterunderstandingofhowriverswork —and why that matters. Rivers do more thanmovewater.Theyshapelandscapes, supportecosystems,andsupplydrinking water, farming, and recreation for millions of people. Learning how and whyriversbend,break,orspeeduphelps uspredictflooding,protecthabitats,and understand how Earth’s surface is changing—especially as the climate warms.
Emmaline Derry ‘26 collecting data.
| Photo by Sarah Schantz
GIS Specialist Alyssa Tews (left) and Geology Professor Sarah Schanz (right)
| Photo by Emmaline Derry, 26.
in Page, Arizona
Photo by Libby Cutler, ‘26
New York Climate Week
By: Libby Cutler, ‘26
This past September, I had the opportunity to attend Climate Week in New York City. Climate Week is a nonprofiteventthattakesplaceinNewYork City every year, with the intent to promoteclimateactionbyappealingtoall different leaders including business representatives, policy change makers, local decision makers, and other society representatives. The event is open to the public and has free registration, so anyoneinterestedandavailableisableto attend most of the discussions and talks that take place. At climate week, I was able to attend multiple panels of highly intelligent, influential, and creative speakers from many important environmental companies and nonprofits.
The first panel I attended was about financial and business approaches to a more sustainable future. Panel members includedGlobalHeadoftheSustainability and Transition Strategy team at Jefferies GroupLLC,EDFManagingDirectorof Sustainable Finance, and other leaders from important environmental groups. This discussion opened my mind to the possibility of incorporating my formal education in Environmental Studies at Colorado College with a real world application of de-carbonizing the economy and working towards a sustainable future in this sector. It was truly inspirational to hear from so many professionals doing a job that I had not yetconsideredinmycollegecareer.
The next panel I attended mainly discussed the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to get rid of the EndangermentFindingunderthecurrent administration’s rule. For those who are notfamiliar,theEndangermentFindingis a crucial piece of legislation tied into Section202(a)oftheCleanAirAct(CAA). The finding requires the government to regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions due to their harm to the population, and was established after Massachusetts v. The EPA determined that six major Greenhouse Gases threaten public health and welfare. Back to the panel, the members consisted of experts from lawyers at EarthJustice, to scientists at other environmental nonprofits, and more. After learning all about the Endangerment Finding in Professor Mike Angstadt’sEnvironmentalLawandPolicy class, it was amazing to witness what expertsweredoinginrealtimetoprevent thecatastrophicchangeinlegislature.
Overall, the experience was amazing to learnaboutalltheincredibleclimatework being done by so many powerful people who care about our environment. In a timewhenthereissomuchuncertaintyin the environmental realm, it is crucial to keep learning and experiencing progress in all forms. I was so fortunate to attend this event, and looking back I see how important it is to see what we, as students, learn about on a scale being done in the real world by real people everyday!
Top Image: Photo of New York City Skyline by Libby Cutler
Bosttom Image: Libby Cutler and Katie Cutler on their way to fashion week
New York Skyscrape | Photo by Libby Cutler, ‘26
Rising Rainbow | Photo by Theo Casper ‘28.
Going Downriver With Evelyn Baher-Murphy
By Lily Frost
Following a long tradition of river rats, environmentalists, and Colorado College students, I boated down the Colorado River through Grand Canyon on a trip organized by my friend and CC alum, Evelyn Baher-Murphy (Ev). Following geologic layers of time down a path carved by the mighty Colorado River, we moveddownstream,farbelowtheDragon BravoandNorthRimfiresburningabove us.Smokehungthicklyintheair,ashfell onus,andbythetimewereachedSaddle Canyon we were able to see the huge mushroomcloudofsmokefromwhichwe emerged. Hours before sunset, the sun splatteredorangeandpinkoverthescene. Upstream of the Little Colorado River smoke filled the air, and downstream we sawonlybluesky.Theriverwasrunning clear, it was peak monsoon season and there was no rain to wash sediment off the canyon walls and into the river. The canyonisabrutalenvironmentandaweinspiringdemonstrationofwater’spower over geologic time. At the bottom of the great gash, in a desert filled with life hardened to the harshest conditions, century plants bloomed for the first and last time in 20-40 years. Maiden hair ferns, mosses, and monkey flower drape fromaseepinthecanyonwallusingwhat littlewaterthereistosustainlife.
Onthesecondtolastnightofthetrip,at 222 Mile camp we watched the full Sturgeon moon rise above the canyon wall, there I talked to Ev about their Southwest Studies senior thesis and passion project: Lifeblood. A podcast about“GlenCanyon,LakePowellandthe Future of the Colorado River.” Ev’s fascinationwiththeColoradoRiverbegan through hearing stories about riverrunners pre-Glen Canyon dam. When Ev pulled the permit to raft the Grand Canyon, a golden ticket in the world of riverrunning,theyhadn’tyetdecidedona thesis project. The year prior, in Eric Perramond’s“WaterintheWest”class,
Your paragraph text they discussed the politics of water, how “waterandsocietyconstructeachother.” Combinedwiththemethodsdevelopedin a “Radio Journalism” class, an interest in riverssoonbecameanacademicmission.
Ev pays attention to dams out of the “oppositeofreverencefordams”.
Disrupting the natural flows of a river, dams determine where and when water flows. For Ev, this relates to a broader discussion about built landscape in the West. Lifeblood explores how this system is not adapted to modern times, how Colorado River basin allocation is based onpriorwaterrightsratherthananual
hydrology. The podcast pulls on stories fromenvironmentalistsandriverrunners before the dam, the layer of climate and changing hydrology in the West, and on top of that, the pressures of 40 million water users from seven states and 30 federallyrecognizedtribes,almosthalfof which have unresolved claims to their waterrights.WithhelpfromtheColorado College Journalism department and the HulbertCenterforSouthwestStudies,the projectwasbornasawayforthemtotalk toasmanypeopleastheycouldaboutthe river.
In six episodes, Ev tells the story of the ColoradoRiverBasinthroughtheevolving narrative that rafters, house boaters, scientists, state water managers, and a handfulofconservationorganizationscoconstruct. Amid a 23-year drought, the massivereservoirsthatareLakeMeadand Lake Powell are at only 30% capacity. As LakePowellhangsabout48feetabovethe minimumpowerpool,thepointatwhich the dam is no longer able to generate hydro-electric power, stakeholders negotiate how to solve the water crisis we’realreadyinandavoidcatastrophe.As lake levels remain tenuous with environmental and anthropogenic pressures only increasing, there is a movement to not only figure out ways to use less water and renegotiate how we storeanddistributeColoradoRiverwater,
but to return to a river ecology that resemblespre-GlenCanyondam.
Considering drought conditions, overallocation of water, and environmental degradation the Glen Canyon Institute, whose executive director, Eric Balken, appears on the podcast,suggestswe“fillmeadfirst”.This strategywouldmovethecontentsofLake Powell into Lake Mead, providing the opportunitytorestoretheecologicalharm done to Glen Canyon, allowing for more natural flows of water and sediment throughGrandCanyon,exposing
submerged archaeological sites in Glen Canyon.
Thiswouldbethelargestriverrestoration project in U.S. history, after the recent victory on the Klamath River with the removal of four major dams, undoing a century of backed up sediment and restrictedflows.Lessthanayearafterthe removal of the dams, the Klamath has transformedwithfallrunChinooksalmon entering the river earlier and traveling fatherthanthey’vebeenabletoinovera century. The Klamath provides an inspiring testimony to the resilience and adaptabilityofripariansystemspostdam
Bathtub rings on Glen Canyon | Photo by Macy McCauley, ‘25
Ev shared the legacy that conservation giants like David Brower have left. In the faceofexistentialwaterthreats,thework ofconservationremainsinfluential.
In the words of John Weisheit referencing Brower, “You need to do the work. And I go, Well, what is the work? He says, you'll find out if you do the work.”
Ev expressed that many people share a deep reverence for Grand Canyon. Those tryingtorestoreGlenCanyonarenotthe ones who saw it at its magnificence 50 years ago, before the dam was put up. Rather they’re people who, like Ev, have been moved by the power of storytelling and the grandeur that is the Colorado River.GrandCanyonhastouchedthelives of many who would like to see a free flowing Colorado River and the restorationofGlenCanyon.InEv’swords, “the river’s flowed for 7 million years, whether we see it flow freely again is up tous.”
For more on the Colorado River and western water discourse, listen to Lifeblood anywhereyougetyourpodcasts.
Green River Overlook, Canyonlands National Park, UT | Photo by Kayla Mackel, ‘26
Vintage Poster Contest
By Libby Cutler
TheFederalArtActof1937,amongotherthings,helpedpromotethevisitationofresidentsandinternationaltouriststoanewlycreated National Parks system. In recent years, the number of visitors and parks visited has increased substantially causing public lands officials to consider how best to manage these lands with the increased visitation. Today, the message to visitors and outdoor recreationistswouldbedifferentifweweretocreatenewpromotionalpostersforvisitingournationallands.
The State of the Rockies Conservation in the West Poll surveys people in the 8-state Rocky Mountain Region about their attitudes toward public land conservation and other current environmental, social, and political issues we face living in the West. The poll consistently demonstrates a growing desire to protect our nationally designated public spaces. Our poster contest asks students to focusonanaspectofthepollfindings,andcreateavisualrepresentationofwhyparkprotectioniscrucial.
GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK | FIRST PLACE
Holden Perry, '25
The calm waters of Stella Lake in Great Basin National Park offer sanctuary for those seeking renewal amid ancient bristlecone pines. I chose this site for its delicatebalanceofremotebeautyandthe healing potential it provides—qualities increasingly valued by residents across theRockyMountainWest.Findingsinthe 2024 Conservation in the West Poll underscoreagrowingconsensusthatour publiclandsplayakeyroleinpromoting mental well-being, yet face threats from overcrowding, climate change, and diminishing resources. My motto, “Nature Heals: Protect the Places That Restore Us,” reflects the urgency to safeguard these landscapes. By prioritizing responsible visitor management, adaptive resource strategies, and climate resilience, we can ensure that Stella Lake remains a restorativehavenforgenerationstocome, embodying both environmental conservation and the enduring human needforsolaceinthenaturalworld.
Judges' Comments:
Great reference to vintage national park art style, good use of color, and clear and impactful statement.
The Colorado Rockies, an aspiring natural wonder, are home to vitalalpinefloraandfaunaecosystems.However,off-trailhiking has led to significant environmental damage, including soil erosion and the destruction of fragile wildflower meadows and wildlife habitats. The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics reports that 95% of trail damage results from hikers leaving the designated path. Staying on the trail encourages responsible stewardship, promoting the Indigenous concept of Seventh Generation preservation, which imagines a world where all species can prosper for generations to come. By sticking to designated trails, we can reduce human impact on these ecosystems and protect species like moose and elk among fields of Colorado Columbines and Indian Paintbrushes. Maintaining these lands today means safeguarding them for future generations,so,PreserveTheWild,StayOnTheTrail.
Grand Teton National Park was listed as the sixth mostmentioned and loved natural area in the Conservation in the West 2024 poll. It is renowned as one of the last nearly intact northern temperate ecosystems on Earth, however, climactic pressureshavecausedneededinterventionforpreservation.66% of Westerners state that the effects of climate change are more significant, many of theseissues being at their highestlevels of concernin 14 years. Worries aboutdeclining fish and wildlife populationsareat86%,andclimatechangeat75%.GrandTeton has faced issues with its native fish, like the Fine-Spotted Cutthroat Trout, and grassland populations due to rising temperatures, invasive species, and human activity, impacting available food sources for allwildlife. I chosethis park due to its increasing conservation efforts by educating the public on how they can get involved and help, which is our gateway for real change.
Callie Dickman, '28
Melissa Torres, '26
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK | SECOND PLACE
Grand Teton National Park | THIRD PLACE
Honorable Mentions
Protect Our Headwaters - San Juan National Forest
Clara Hartman, '27
According to the 2024 conservation poll, 92% of respondents support protecting existing public lands in the Dolores River Canyon.Theregionisthelargestunprotectedamountoflandin Colorado, and as a result, is at heightened risk of biodiversity loss, pollution, and development because of mining and industrial interests (Protect the Dolores). Referring back to the conservation poll, there is evidence to support that this is not in the interest of the general public, because 69% of respondents believeinplacingemphasisonprotectingwater,air,andwildlife recreation rather than maximizing on available for mining, and 65% believe that inadequate water supply is a serious problem. TheriverisuniquebecauseaheadwaterfortheColoradoRiver,a vital, yet endangered, resource for millions across the American Southwest (American Rivers). Because of the wide-reaching importanceoftheseecosystems,theyarethefocusofmyposter. Designatingtheregionasanationalmonumentwouldaidmuch morethanjustthehealthoftheColoradoRiver,asmanagement of recreational activities would improve, and wildlife habitats and important cultural cites would be preserved for current and future generations. Because sometimes, the importance of conservationcanoutweighthegoalofdevelopment.
Ensure Our Stability - Rocky Mountain National Park
The Colorado River has always been looked at with great importanceintheAmericanSouthwest,admirednotonlyforits aesthetics but also its practicality. The lowering of its water affects those living in the seven states it runs through. Majority voters in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah argue that the Riveriscriticaltotheirstate'seconomy,servingtoexplainakey reasonmanyaresointerestedinprotectingit.Thosevotersalso saythattheriveris"inneedofurgentaction,"77%inColorado. With extreme draughts on top of already dry climates, water conservation becomes increasingly crucial in order to protect wildlife,thebroaderenvironment,andeventheeconomy.These waters are not only actual lifelines but metaphorical ones, ensuringthestabilityofoursocietyandourplanet
Rebekah Vaisman Spear, '28
Meet the Judges
Jillian Sico (she/her)
Sick is a papermaker, bookbinder, and letterpress printmaker whomakesartists’booksundertheimprintFrogsongPress.She receivedanMFAinBookArtsfromTheUniversityofAlabamain 2020, where she focused on letterpress printing, papermaking, andfinebookbinding.ShealsoreceivedanMAinEnvironmental Anthropology from The University of Georgia in 2013 and a BA fromSt.John’sCollegeinAnnapolis,MDin2005.Herprocessis informed and expanded through collaboration and research on cultureandecology.Herworkhasbeenexhibitednationallyand is held in numerous special and private collections. Jillian currentlymanagesThePressatColoradoCollege.
Kaitlin Steinfort, '22 (she/her)
KaitlynisaColoradoCollegealumandformerposterprinterat ThePressatColoradoCollege.Inthesummerof2019,shetooka BookArtsandLetterpresscourseatThePressatColoradoCollege and worked alongside Aaron Cohick and other students in the press through her senior year. During her final year on campus, Kaitlin combined her passion for environmental protection and educationandherloveforcreatingartinthepresstohelpdesign and create the posters used to advertise the first State of the Rockies poster contest in 2021/2022. Now as an alum, Kaitlin worksinthehabitatmanagementfieldandcontinuestoworkon herownartinavarietyofmedia,hopingtocontinuefindingand creating ways to use art as a tool for environmental advocacy, protection, and education. Kaitlin now works as an environmentaltechnicianforTasmanGeosciences!
2025 CONSERVATION IN THE WEST STUDENT PHOTO CONTEST
Eachyear,theStateoftheRockiesProject invites students to submit images from anywhere in the Rocky Mountain West to its annual photo contest. These photos aim to remind us of the conservation efforts necessary to preserve and protect natureintheRockyMountainWest.
Students are required to submit photos that addressed areas of concern for wildlife and habitat, outdoor recreation and diversity and inclusion in the outdoors, shifting climate patterns and processes, public lands, wildfires, water, andotherconservationissueshighlighted
inthe2023ConservationintheWestPoll. A jury of staff expert photographers determined finalists, while the people's choice by popular vote was determined viavote-by-text.
Lookforphotocontestsubmission
Granite Dells |
Photo by Orion Cenkl, ‘28
deadline and details on The State of the RockieswebsiteinBlock5forthe2025 ontest details ! Winners win monetary prizes!
1stplace $500
2ndPlace $250
3rdPlace $100
PopularVotewinner $100
Judges
The Print Work Shop Supervisor for the Colorado College Art Department. She has based her life around art for the last 30 years. After attending the Kansas City Art Institute, Heather moved to Colorado Springs where she has been creating artworks that incorporate her passion for photography, printmaking, sculpture, painting, fiber, and collage. Her work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums and is held in private collections around the United States. Heather explores the boundaries of photography and experiments with alternative processes and technologies.Whensheisnotcreatingphotographs, she can be found plein air painting, weaving on her loom, and researching new techniques for her art making.
Jamie Cotten
An award-winning photojournalist, and the photographer/photo editor in the Office of Communications&MarketingatColoradoCollege. Asafreelancerfornearlytwodecades,herworkhas appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, ESPN, San Francisco Chronicle, The Boston Globe, The Telegraph and in media outlets via PolarisImages,amongothers.
Heather Oelklaus
Stubborn Tree | FIRST PLACE
Tomas Michelangeli, '28
The cottonwood tree is a native species associated with river landscapes of the west and southwest. Its populations have come under pressure through the human consumption of water and competition withinvasiveplantslikesaltcedar.Here,a cottonwood tree continues to stand despite the flood-prone canyon, having grown up against a rocky wall and being blocked by a boulder, a sign that native species are meant to thrive in the challengingconditionsoftheSouthwest.
Importantly,itcontinuestostandwithout interference from salt cedar and despite the year’s low water levels. The perseverance of this tree is an important reminder that protecting natural spaces also means protecting native species by controlling the spread of invasive ones. It also suggests our own water use and remindsustobemoremindfulofhowwe usethelimitedresourcesthatalllifeinthe Southwestdependson.
StubbornTreespeaksnotonlytotheenduring strength of the cottonwood but also to the patient eye of the photographer. Much like conservation itself, this image is about timing. The tree has endured season after seasonofflood,drought,andcompetition,but its survival is not accidental — nor is the photographer’s ability to capture it in a way thatcompelsustonotice.Theactofcreating thisimagemirrorsthemessageoftheartist’s statement: the need for patience, awareness, anddecisiveaction,bothinphotographyand in protecting the fragile ecosystems of the Southwest.
--HeatherOelklaus
A Peak into the Void | SECOND PLACE
Tomas Michelangeli, ‘28
A century ago, “Pikes Peak was losing its open lands faster than nearly any other comparably sized region in the nation”PalmerLandConservancy
The results of this are evident to anyone who hikes Pikes Peak nowadays. Taking the Bar Trail up to the summit, you feel completely taken in by the mountain. That is, until you look behind you at the massive industrial pseudo urban sprawl that covers the eastern plains. At night, theeastislitupbycitylights,andduring
the day, the buildings and bases are clear for all to see. But during that moment in between, just as the sun peeks over the horizon,youcan’tseethesprawlatall.
In that moment, all that exists is the mountainandthevoid.Thebeautyofthis moment highlights how important it is that we continue to protect our public lands, that we stop encroachment onto natural spaces, and preserve the, yet unabusedRockyMountainwilderness.
“A Peak into the Void speaks volumes and evokesmanyemotions.Theviewermightfeel isolation or solace, fear or adventure, on top oftheworldorhumbledbyitsimmensityand magnificence.Itcouldsaywehavethepower tochangeourplanetforthebetterorwehave the potential to destroy it all. Photographically speaking, this image took effortquiteliterally,asitwastakenontopof a 14,107-foot peak. Even being slightly underexposed, it works beautifully with the dark silhouette in the foreground and the sun’sdeeporangesandredsinthedistance.”
--JamieCottenandHeatherOelklaus
Dark Skies over Bears Ears | THIRD PLACE
Thisphotowastakenlateatnightinthe middle of the desert. Over the Fourth of July I traveled out to Southeast Utah to interviewpeopleandtakesomefinallight readingsinBlandingandMonticelloUtah whileworkingfortheStateoftheRockies Project Dark Skies Team. The whole summerIhadbeentryingtogetareading within the "no visible light" range. This nightIwasabletodoso.Itwassodark
thatmylightmeterdidn'tevenwork,but once I switched out my lens to a fisheye, thewholeskyappearedonmycamerain frontofme.Forme,thisimagerepresents something I had been looking for all summer.Ihadheardpeoplespeakabout the sky in Bears Ears and why it was so worth protecting, but to see the stars for myselfwassomethingelseentirely.
As photographers, we know how long it must have taken to achieve this photo. So “A” for effort and “A” for execution. Thanks in part to conservation efforts such as dark sky laws, it’s still possible to find places to take a photo this beautiful, but those places are becoming fewer and further between. Kudos for seeking out the dark to find the light. This image also required a fish-eye lens, a tripod no doubt, a long exposure, knowledge of where to find the best views of the Milky Way, and patience. Beautifully done.
--Jamie Cotten
Megan O'Brien, '26
Alpine Reflection | PEOPLE'S CHOICE POPULAR VOTE WINNER
Mary Cate Kiser, '27
AsthesunsetsontheSanJuanmountains and an alpine lake mirrors rocky peaks, we too are called to reflect on our values. Voters in the west overwhelmingly see water supply and water quality as a pressingissue.Politicaltensionsover
water allocation build as climate change and overuse increasingly drain water supplies.Whenwevisitplaceswherewild waterresides,weareencouragednotonly totakeinthebeauty,butalsotorecognize itasaforcethatgivesuslife,something
deserving of respect and diligent treatment. Simply visiting these places maynotbeenough;wemustuseourlove forlandasmomentumtochangehowwe treatourresources.
Sunrise Climbers | FIRST RUNNER-UP
| Grand Tetons, Wyoming
This photo captures the essence of the Rockies for me. This scene depicts the climbing of the Grand Teton at around 5 am in the morning. No one else on the mountain, the people below blissfully asleep, and the shadow of The Grand casting itself over the plain of Idaho on theotherside.
The second runner-up for the
Photo by Alexandra Hyman, '28
People’s Choice Popular Vote was a tie between Stubborn Tree by Tomas Michelangeli ‘28 and Dark Skies over Bears EarsbyMeganO’Brien‘25,pages__and__.
Fromtopleft:1)WaldoCanyonteammemberslay a transect. Photo by Macy McCauley ‘25. 2) Creative team members work a table at Publication Day at CC. Cyndy Hines. 3) Colorado trees along a river. Photo by Libby Cutler ‘26. 4) Cyndy Hines speaks at Data Viz Nite and 5) Katie Lockwood catches a butterfly for her pollinator research. Photos by Macy McCauley ’25. 6) 2024 Waldo Canyon team members Rafi Khan ‘26, Ben Curry’25,TylerMielke‘26,andRachelPhillips‘26 at Data Viz Nite. Photo by Cyndy Hines. 7) 2025 Waldoteamposesforasillyphoto.PhotobyMacy McCauley ‘25. 8) Ethan Stewart ’25 at Data Viz Nite. Photo by Cyndy Hines. 9) The base of Pikes Peak. Photo by Libby Cutler ‘25. 10) State of the Rockiesteam.PhotobyCyndyHines.
