CU «Ƶ Surplus Store reduces environmental impact, saves money
The CU «Ƶ Distribution Center announced plans to open a storefront—located at 3300 Walnut Ave., Unit A, «Ƶ, CO 80301—where students, faculty, staff and community members will be able to shop for surplus goods no longer in use by campus departments.
On Jan. 13, the Distribution Center will have a soft opening of its for Buff OneCard holders. Previously available by appointment only, the store will now be open for walk-in shopping during the business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The store will open to the general public beginning Jan. 27.
For over a year, the Property Services team has been working to create a new retail space to sell surplus property. Following significant interior construction, the store is finally ready to open its doors for the first time. The store offers furniture, electronics and other items that have come from departments on campus. Sales revenue will be split between Property Services and the departments on campus from which the items have come, with Property Services using its proceeds to offset the costs of processing and reselling the goods.
“The opening of the surplus store is a significant step toward upholding our campus’s sustainability values by promoting resourcefulness and reducing waste,” Chancellor Justin Schwartz said. “This initiative supports our commitment to environmental stewardship and fosters a culture of mindful consumption within our university community.”
Although the surplus store has been a resource to CU «Ƶ constituents for decades, it has been accessible only by appointment and during biannual auctions. The creation of a storefront means more material will pass through the doors and generate more income for the Distribution Center and campus departments while saving shoppers money.
“I think people will be surprised at how great the prices are,” Property Services Program Manager Denise Worthington said. “We have a lot of furniture and computers, and we also get random but perfectly usable items from departments all over campus. The most unique thing I’ve seen pass through our facility was a gigantic inflatable buffalo.”
Worthington noted that she has also seen a high-powered telescope and a modular library system, but more common items include:
- Books
- Office supplies
- Sporting equipment
- Sound equipment
- Cameras
- Phones
- Costumes
- Clothing
“I am grateful to Denise Worthington and Jon Sherman, along with the rest of our property services team, for making this dream a reality,” Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Resilience Chris Ewing said. “We will reduce the environmental impact we are making as a campus by increasing our reach and ability to get perfectly good items into the community for reuse.”
Repurposed items are accepted by appointment only.