We’re excited to see you soon!
CSU Spur is focused on engaging PreK-12 students, families, and visitors around the topics of food, water, and health through real-world experiences. CSU Spur connects and inspires visitors through the ability to watch ongoing research, to see behind-the-scenes of services, and to watch professionals at work.
Visit CSU Spur for a day of activities with the kids, spend time with friends in a beautiful outdoor space, watch veterinarians at work, bring a project to life in the Makerspace, take a cooking class, play in the stream table, and visit our rooftop greenhouse. View a calendar of all timed activities and demonstrations.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- CSU Spur is free and open to the public year-round.
- Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. the 2nd Saturday of every month (closed all other Saturdays)
- Closed Sundays
Three buildings for food, water, and health
Explore exhibits and art installations in and around all three buildings, and engage in hands-on educational activities at various stops throughout the campus.
VIDA
Vida focuses on animal and human health. Check out equine-assisted services, live animal surgeries, horses walking on underwater treadmills, virtual reality, and more! Explore activities at Vida.
TERRA
Terra focuses on food and agriculture. Check out rooftop greenhouses, sensory testing, a teaching and commissary kitchen, vertical gardens, the CSU Impact(o) Map, and more! Explore activities at Terra.
HYDRO
Hydro focuses on water. Check out Denver Water’s water quality laboratory, the Hydro Backyard, an interactive stream table, the Makerspace, a cafe, and more! Explore activities at Hydro.
Discover your Spur
For PreK-16
For PreK-16
Learn moreFor adult learners
For adult learners
Learn moreFor families
For families
Learn moreFor faculty
For faculty
Learn moreFor scientists
For scientists
Learn moreFor event planners
For event planners
Learn moreLooking for a group experience?
SCHOOL PROGRAMS
CSU Spur is free and open to all educational groups: school groups, field trips, after-school programs, summer camps, and more! Virtual programming is also available.
HOST AN EVENT
Whether you’re throwing a large reception, hosting a conference, or just need a space to whiteboard out some ideas with colleagues, CSU Spur has a space for you.
VOLUNTEER
CSU Spur volunteers will lead the way in connecting children, families, and community members to hands-on science, and real-world solutions. There are many ways to volunteer!
GUIDED TOURS
CSU Spur volunteers offer free guided tours of all three buildings 1-2 times per month. Tours last approximately 1.5 hours. (Please note: a tour is NOT required to visit Spur.)
Getting to Spur
Parking (download the map in English or Spanish)
- Humane Colorado and Temple Grandin Equine Center clients: Park in client parking (see map) on the west side of the Vida building.
- Spur visitors and event attendees: Follow signs for guest parking (see map) on the north side of the Vida building, and park on the east side of the lot. All parking is paid.
Driving directions
- Take I-25 to I-70 east
- Travel east on I-70 to Washington St. (exit 214A)
- Turn north onto Washington St.
- Turn east onto E. 47th Ave.
- E. 47th Ave. turns into E. 46th Ave.
- Turn north onto National Western Drive
Address for GPS: 4777 National Western Drive, Denver, CO 80216
Alternative transportation
- The Denver Connector Microtransit Program offers free rides within the Globeville and Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods weekdays between 6 a.m.-8 p.m.
- The South Platte River bike trail connects directly to CSU Spur, and the campus has bike racks.
- CSU Spur is served by the N Line from Union Station and the 47th Avenue & Brighton Boulevard bus stop; however direct connections from these stops to the campus are part of future phases of National Western Center construction, and travel from these stops to CSU Spur is not recommended at this time.
Commitment to our community and visitor expectations
CSU Spur is a community-focused organization dedicated to connecting people of all ages to science, innovation, and real-world solutions in food, water, and health. We believe that learning and discovery are most powerful when shared, and that starts with creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.
We welcome all community members regardless of ability, age, color, creed, ethnicity, gender expression, gender identity, immigration status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status, and invite everyone to learn and explore together.
We celebrate diversity in all aspects of our organization. Through inclusive programming, exhibits, communal spaces, and hiring practices, we commit to creating an environment that reflects and respects our community.
To ensure all guests have a positive and safe experience, we expect our staff, volunteers, and visitors to act responsibly and be considerate of others as we share this space.
Together, we strive to make CSU Spur a place where ideas grow, connections flourish, and every visitor feels part of something bigger – a community dedicated to shaping a healthier, more sustainable future.
- Adult guests are responsible for the supervision of their children at all times. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a person 16 or older at all times.
- Strollers and wagons are allowed as long as they are not left unattended.
- Visiting PreK-12th-grade school groups must be with adult chaperones at all times, regardless of student age. CSU Spur’s policy is a 1:10 adult chaperone to student ratio.
- No smoking/vaping on the CSU Spur campus.
- For visitor safety, shoes are required at CSU Spur indoor and outdoor facilities, including the Hydro Backyard. Close-toed shoes may be required in certain areas.
- Show courtesy to fellow visitors by not using profanity or engaging in unsafe, illegal, disruptive, or offensive behavior.
- Offensive, obscene, abusive, or threatening language or behavior toward other guests and/or CSU Spur staff will not be tolerated.
- Observe and follow all posted signs. CSU Spur requires all visitors to remain in designated public areas at all times. Climbing, crossing barriers, or entering restricted areas is prohibited. Violators will be issued a criminal citation and are subject to a maximum possible penalty under law, including any jail time.
- Respect animals on campus. Cats, dogs, horses, fish, and other animals at CSU Spur support human health or are here for veterinary procedures. Keep a safe distance from animals and respect outlined boundaries.
- In addition to the rules stated above, CSU Spur does not tolerate any activity that threatens operations, disrupts the ability to provide a safe, welcoming, family-oriented environment, or is illegal under city, state, and/or federal law.
- Personal photography is allowed but should not disturb programs or animals.
- Visitors must exit the buildings when closed.
- Since CSU Spur includes barns, laboratories, and veterinary spaces, please respect animal privacy zones, do not tap on windows, and follow staff instructions in animal areas.
- Outside food is allowed but may be prohibited in certain areas. Please follow all posted signage and area guidelines.
- Outside alcoholic beverages, cannabis, or any illegal substance.
- Pets or other animals inside the buildings, except approved service animals. Service animals are defined as dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Service animals should remain on a leash or in a harness and under the control of the owner at all times. Due to animal welfare concerns, service animals may not be permitted in certain areas of CSU Spur.
- No firearms or weapons.
- Recreational devices such as drones, remote control toys, skateboards, scooters, inline skates, or shoes with built-in wheels.
- Wheeled mobility devices with less than three wheels or devices that cannot maintain stability and balance when stopped, unpowered or unoccupied. Training wheels or similar modifications are not permitted. Devices must be manually or electrically powered and operated at a walking pace. Devices should be single rider and not exceed 36″ (92 cm) in width and 52″ (132 cm) in length.
- Except as permitted by state or city law, CSU Spur prohibits any person from using, possessing, carrying, displaying, flourishing or distributing any real or simulated weapon on or within the CSU Spur campus, including but not limited to firearms, certain knives (see D.R.M.C. §38-117 and 38-119), explosives or incendiary devices, toy blasters, squirt guns, plastic knives or swords. The CSU Spur campus includes parking facilities and structures.
- Any other items that we determine may be harmful or disruptive.
- The sale of goods, services, or the display of goods or services for sale, unless otherwise approved by CSU Spur.
- The distribution of printed or recorded materials of any kind.
- Hosting events without a reservation confirmation.
- CSU Spur is exclusively reserved for use by specific programs and for specific purposes, and CSU Spur limits the types of activities and uses. Demonstrations, amplified sound, disruptive noisemaking, chalking, posting, and signage without prior approval are prohibited in all CSU Spur areas, as is any activity that interferes with CSU Spur functions.
- Commercial expression is prohibited in all CSU Spur areas.
- Photography, videotaping, or recording of any kind for commercial purposes.
- If event organizers would like to film or take photos during their event, the inclusion of a waiver of release in their event registration is recommended. Organizers should only film within their designated event space and should not film or photograph members of the general public or visiting school groups. Requests to film at CSU Spur for promotional or commercial purposes should be directed to [email protected]. Please notify an event manager when local or national media are invited to cover an event.
- Flash photography of the artwork is not permitted.
- Engaging in any unsafe act or other act that may impede the operation of CSU Spur or any associated facility.
- Persons refusing to vacate the CSU Spur premises upon request are subject to arrest under applicable municipal and state laws and may be subject to disciplinary action.
- By entering a CSU building, event, or program, persons are entering an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. Entry and presence in the building or at the event premises constitutes persons’ consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with CSU and its initiatives, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news, and advertising. By entering the building or event premises, persons’ waive and release any claims they may have related to the use of recorded media of them at the event, including, without limitation, any right to inspect or approve the photo, video or audio recording, any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement or for any fees, payment, or royalties for use of such record media.
- CSU Spur may, from time to time, without prior notice and without refund, liability, or compensation, change the operating hours of CSU Spur or any program area or building, close CSU Spur or any part of it temporarily, restrict the number of persons having access to the CSU Spur, and/or suspend or cancel any program if circumstances warrant.
- CSU Spur reserves the right to update these policies at any time. Please contact CSU Spur staff with any questions, needs, or concerns.
- All visitors voluntarily assume all risk and danger for personal injury or property damage incidental to visiting CSU Spur.
KAREN SCHLATTER
Director, Colorado Water Center
Karen Schlatter was appointed director of the Colorado Water Center at Colorado State University in 2025, after joining the Center as associate director in 2023. Schlatter brings academic, nonprofit, and public sector experience in managing complex water challenges with a deep commitment to building partnerships and the ability to engage in conversations across Colorado’s water community. She joined CSU from the University of Florida Water Institute where her work included facilitating multi-stakeholder/academic teams to achieve shared goals around water management through collaborative, interdisciplinary research. Prior to her role at UF, she served as associate director of the Colorado River Delta Program at the Sonoran Institute, where she focused on building cross-sector and international partnerships to support large-scale ecological restoration, effective binational water management, and community engagement in the Colorado River Delta region. Schlatter earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from McGill University and a Master of Science in environmental studies from the University of Colorado Boulder. She served as an agricultural extension volunteer in the Peace Corps in Paraguay.
TOM VILSACK
Chief Executive Officer, World Food Prize Foundation
Effective March 1, 2025, Thomas J. Vilsack, former United States Secretary of Agriculture and Governor of Iowa, will become the first Chief Executive Officer for the World Food Prize Foundation. In this new role, Governor Vilsack will focus on expanding the Foundation’s global network, and will further position the Foundation as a leader in addressing global food and nutrition insecurity, continuing his lifetime of public service.
In 1998, he became the first Democrat to be elected as the Governor of Iowa in more than 30 years. During his two terms as Governor, he created an $800 million, 10-year economic development incentive program—the Iowa Values Fund. His administration worked with schools, medical providers, businesses, faith-based organizations and other entities to expand healthcare coverage to more than 90,000 previously uninsured children.
He became the 30th and 32nd United States Secretary of Agriculture, from 2008-2017 and 2021-2025, respectively. Only five people in U.S. history have served in the Cabinet longer, and during his tenures, the United States Department of Agriculture set records for U.S. agricultural exports and provided food assistance to millions of Americans. He helped expand food and nutrition access through summer feeding programs for children and additional support for fruit and vegetable purchases through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. As Secretary, he worked to develop new and superior markets for small and mid-sized farms, allowing those operations to remain viable and in turn, strengthening and growing rural communities.
Governor Vilsack has long been connected to the World Food Prize Foundation, having served on both the Council of Advisors and the Board of Directors. His insights and acumen were vital in shaping our mission and initiatives. His leadership and experience will be instrumental in expanding the Foundation’s international reach and continuing the mission of elevating innovations and inspiring action to sustainably increase the quality, quantity and availability of food for all.
It’s our anniversary!
It’s our anniversary! CSU Spur has been fully open to the public, sharing hands-on, family-friendly activities around food, water, and health for two years. Join us on Saturday, Jan. 11, for 2nd Saturday activities, including desserts, a mariachi performance, face painters, horses on treadmills, veterinarians in surgery, scientists in labs, and more. The celebration is from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and CSU Spur will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; no registration required, all public activities are free.
2nd Saturday at CSU Spur is presented by Canvas Credit Union.
We’ll see you Saturday!
2nd Saturday at CSU Spur is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. this Saturday (May 9), and this month, the theme is Spur in Bloom. Join us for flower-themed arts and crafts, horse demonstrations, interactive activities focused on topics like sustainability and gardening, the return of the Market at the Center, and more!