CSU System names its campus at National Western Center: Spur

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Tiana Nelson
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Denver, Colorado – Today, the Colorado State University System unveiled “Spur” as its new brand for the university system’s presence at the National Western Center.

The CSU System is building a campus within the 250-acre National Western Center campus. Spur, CSU System’s campus, is scheduled to break ground in the first quarter of 2020, and to be complete by late 2022.

The CSU System realized the forthcoming destination needed a brand that not only represented the three CSU System campuses: CSU in Fort Collins, CSU Global, and CSU-Pueblo; but also, encompassed the history of the area, the numerous partners on the National Western Center project, and the vision for what will take place inside the CSU System buildings.

“Spur is a brand that reflects the innovation, forward movement, and discovery that will take place in the three CSU System buildings at the National Western Center,” said Amy Parsons, executive vice chancellor of the CSU System. “It is a modern brand, yet rooted in history. It is a bold statement of forward motion, yet nods to the past even in the use of an orange color, reminiscent of CSU’s original school colors of pumpkin and alfalfa some 150 years ago.”

Spur’s three buildings focused on water, food, and health will provide a platform for internal and external partners, and offer diverse programming, entertaining and engaging learning opportunities, and a commitment to local and global communities.

“To us, Spur means to incite action, growth, and development, which is exactly what we’ll be doing at the National Western Center,” Parsons said.

She also noted that the brand is multifaceted.

“When you think of the word Spur, you may think of a railroad spur and the fact that Denver exists today because of one such spur,” Parsons said. “You may think of the spur on a boot, which is part of the historical context of this project overall; you may think of spurring innovation. It can mean something a little different to everyone, which just reflects the promise and richness of this site and all that’s going to happen here.”

Different from a traditional university campus, Spur will be built for public engagement and will be focused on sharing educational experiences with visitors – from watching veterinarians treat animal patients, to learning about the future of food, to problem-solving around the world’s water issues.

Spur will be a place where visitors can relax by the revitalized South Platte River in the lush backyard space. A place where a symphony performs one day, and a world-class researcher reveals a new discovery the next. A place for children and adults alike – a place for learners. A new expression of what a university can be.

About Spur: CSU System at the National Western Center

Coming in 2022: The CSU System will open Spur, where innovative ideas and unforgettable experiences come to life at the National Western Center. Spur’s three buildings at the center of the landmark project in north Denver will ignite and fuel new ideas around water, food, and health and their impact on our lives and our world. Spur is where learning is open and accessible to all. Where researchers tackle the world’s most pressing problems around water, food, and health. Where art and culture challenge and surround you. Where rural and urban, local and global intersect. Learn more at nwc.colostate.edu.

About the National Western Center 

The National Western Center is a year-round, global destination for ag and food innovation, western heritage and culture that will open in Denver in 2024. We will convene the world at the National Western Center and at nationalwesterncenter.com to lead, inspire, create, educate and entertain in pursuit of global food solutions.