Envirothon Supporters

Thank you to those who donate to CO Envirothon!
  • Colorado Association of Conservation Districts
  • Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
  • Colorado Conservation Districts
  • Colorado State University
  • Colorado State University Spur
  • Colorado State University College of Ag Sciences
  • Colorado State University Office of Engagement and Extension
  • Bob Warner, Warner Ranch
  • Smithfield Foods
  • Republican River Watershed
  • Private Donors

A Brief History

Pennsylvania Leads the Way
In 1979, the Pennsylvania Soil and Water Conservation Districts created an “Environmental Olympics” competition as an approach aimed to encourage high school students to become interested in natural resource conservation and environmental issues. The Environmental Olympics, later shortened to Enviro-Olympics, quickly gained popularity as a hands-on outdoor competition designed to challenge and test each student’s knowledge of soils, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and current environmental issues.

For nearly a decade, the Pennsylvania Enviro-Olympics program demonstrated its ability to promote environmental literacy and supplement education in grades 9-12. The program quickly grew in size to include participation by 40 conservation district teams at the 1987 Pennsylvania State Enviro-Olympics, providing greater visibility for the program and stimulating the interest of neighboring states.

In 1988 the program became known as the Envirothon. That year, teams from Ohio, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania competed at the first National Envirothon hosted and sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts.

Colorado Joins the Envirothon

Colorado Envirothon was established in 2012 by representatives of several agencies and organizations throughout Colorado, including the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, West Greeley Conservation District, Future Farmers of America, and Colorado State Conservation Board. On May 5, 2013 Colorado held its first state competition.

2024 ​Envirothon Competition

We had a great 2023 Colorado Envirothon after three years without a competition due to Covid. The new Colorado State University Spur facilities at the National Western Stock Show grounds in north Denver, gave students access to technology as well as hands-on activities in our three buildings.

We'll be back at Spur for 2024 with new scholarships, learning, and training opportunities. We hope you check out this website and let us know if you have any questions regarding the competition and how you can submit a team, become a volunteer, or possibly a partner with us.