Colby College school colors may be blue and gray, but Colby College is truly green. Colby is 100% committed to practices that respect the environment and promote sustainable living. Their pledge to green values has made Colby College a leader in environmental initiatives, and their success is evident in its dramatic reduction of carbon emissions, certifications and everyday practices. In 2013, Colby College will celebrate it’s 200th anniversary, but Colby College is not just about it’s past, the college is constantly looking forward by improving and expanding it’s opportunities for their students, their community, their guests and our planet.
The campus of Colby College has more LEED-certified buildings than any other private college in Maine and 
was the first private college in Maine to achieve a gold level of certification. At the present time, the campus is home to seven LEED certified buildings, with four buildings certified at the gold level. The campus has recently undergone a ten-year renovation project, which will be completed this summer. The renovated buildings have been upgraded with new energy efficient windows, motion sensors for reduced electrical use, energy-efficient lighting, energy recovery systems and so much more!
Dining Services is a large contributor to campus’ green initiative, which is achieved by utilizing catering incentives and constantly improving their educational efforts. For example, dining services has decreased bottled water waste by 90 percent by providing hydration stations at catered events. Colby College has also partnered with local farmers and fishermen to provide foods from local sources, including the college’s on-site 20,000 square foot organic garden.
The campus is located on 714 wooded acres with miles of walking and cross-country trails in Waterville, Maine. On campus amenities include a fitness center, squash courts, all-weather outdoor tennis courts, an indoor and an outdoor track, and an Olympic sized swimming pool. There are many off-campus activities awaiting visitors of Colby, as well. Within an hour's drive of campus guests can visit the sandy beaches of Popham and Reid State Park, shop at the outlets of Freeport, enjoy whitewater rafting in the mountains, visit local lighthouses or experience a whale-watch cruise out of Camden, Boothbay, or Rockland harbor.
Colby College is the ideal venue for meetings, conferences, trade shows and youth sports camps. Colby College conference services are certified as a one-stop shop, with a professional staff that provides services, which include registration, mailings, and the coordination of event spaces, technology, signage, catering, and accommodations. The newly renovated residence halls provide guests private rooms with shared bathrooms or accommodations in beautiful three to five person suites. Meeting facilities on campus are perfect for gatherings of all sizes, with venues that include, executive conference rooms, smart classrooms, auditoriums and banquet halls. There is also a 50,000 square foot field house that is an ideal location for trade shows and larger events.
Colby College is committed to practices that respect the environment and promote sustainable living. The College is steadfast in their environmental promise to their students, their community, their guests and the planet. Every aspect of sustainable conferencing is available at Colby College from the naturally wooded campus to the renovated accommodations, from the local food sources to the green meeting facilities. Planning an event in Maine? Remember to think green and choose Colby College!