Water is the source of all life, and as a headwaters state, Colorado’s water footprint impacts millions of people in multiple states and Mexico. Water flows much like culture — blurring physical barriers, creating life wherever it reaches, reaching far beyond its origins.
The Hydro building at Spur will focus on water, and include:
Hydro is also the hub of Spur activity, with farm-to-table cafe space and flexible theater.
The CSU Spur campus will be an art destination that reflects the local and global communities — art at Hydro will include works by Eric Tillinghast, Nikki Pike, and Anthony Garcia, Sr. of Globeville’s Birdseed Collective.
Hydro broke ground in October 2020 and will open in Fall 2022; it is designed by Hord Coplan Macht and SmithGroup.
The backyard space at Hydro is designed to represent the eight major watersheds of Colorado.
Hydro will offer indoor and outdoor event space for Spur and for public and community use, including a flexible theater with a capacity of up to 300 people.
The existing McConnell building is being renovated and incorporated into Hydro’s design. It will be home to offices and studios, where the public can watch artists at work.
Denver Water will house its water quality lab at Hydro. Currently, Denver Water performs more than 70,000 tests annually to monitor water quality in its watershed as well as its treatment and distribution systems. The new laboratory will have the capacity to conduct more than 200,000 tests each year to keep up with increasing regulatory requirements and will allow for more state-of-the-art equipment and more efficient workspace for technicians. Its location at Spur will provide more opportunity for Denver Water to collaborate with researchers on areas of innovation, policy, and education related to water challenges in urban, rural, and watershed environments.
The CSU Salazar Center for North American Conservation will have its permanent home at Hydro. The Center supports and advances the health and connectivity of the natural systems and landscapes of North America – be they urban or rural; working or wildlands; public or private — and benefits from the active engagement and leadership of former U.S. Secretary of Interior, U.S. Senator, and Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar.
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