Colorado’s First Darcy Geothermal System

Adams State University is implementing Colorado’s first Darcy geothermal system, introducing an innovative clean energy solution that significantly reduces the land area typically required for geothermal infrastructure.

Improves Overall Energy Performance

The project will serve the Student Union Building and Rex Activity Center, replacing aging heating infrastructure, adding campus cooling, and improving overall energy performance through high-efficiency ground source heat pumps.

Minimal Campus Disruption

Unlike traditional geothermal systems that require dozens of boreholes across multiple acres, the Darcy system utilizes deep geothermal wells with submerged closed-loop heat exchangers, minimizing campus disruption.

A Model for How Rural Institutions Can Advance Sustainability

Supported by Colorado GETCO funding and federal clean energy incentives, the project serves as a model for how rural institutions can advance sustainability, reduce emissions, and modernize infrastructure with limited capital resources.