Each year, Colorado College conducts its State of the Rockies Project, a collaborative student-faculty research project that takes an annual look at the environmental and economic issues that impact life in the Rocky Mountain West.
Case Study
Client: Colorado College State of the Rockies Project
The Challenge
Colorado College engaged Pushkin PR to raise awareness for a research project designed to illuminate the uncertain future of the Colorado River, a critical regional source of water. The Project aimed to provide communities, government and civic leaders with an impartial look at the challenges facing the region, from water and energy use to climate change, habitat conservation, recreation and agriculture.
The Solution
Pushkin PR worked with faculty, students and the college communications department to publicize the Project. In addition to promoting the monthly on-campus Speakers Series, we focused our efforts on highlighting the Colorado River Source to Sea project, a four-month kayak journey down the entire length of Colorado River in which two Colorado College graduates blogged and sent video reports on the environmental dangers facing this critical regional water source.
The campaign culminated with a full-day conference featuring then Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Governor John Hickenlooper, and the release of the State of the Rockies Report. The conference and report created regional and national awareness for Colorado College and highlighted how the next generation could address the challenges facing the Colorado River Basin.
Pushkin PR targeted media in the seven-state Colorado River Basin region, as well as national environmental and water bloggers.
The Results
Together with CC students, we developed a State of the Rockies website, blog, Facebook page and YouTube channel. We also secured media placements including the Colorado Springs Gazette, Pueblo Chieftain, Associated Press, Huffington Post, Denver Post, Christian Science Monitor, 7 News in Denver, CBS 4 in Denver, Coyote Gulch blog, the Save the Colorado blog, and an appearance on the nationally syndicated radio show, E-Town.
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