We are pleased to offer field trips in addition to our main conference programming.

Description

A tour of the Colorado School of Mines led by Greg Jackson will provide an opportunity for attendees to see some of Mines’ state-of-the-art labs developing biofuels, fuel cells, and advanced laser diagnostics. The tour will also include a visit to Mines Labriola Innovation Hub, the Center for Space Resources, and Mines’ renowned Museum of Earth Science with its incredible collection of rare gems and minerals.

Then we will walk two very short blocks to Calvary’s historic chapel in downtown Golden for a brief tour. Attendees can have lunch (self-pay) at any of the eateries in Golden before returning to campus.

Bus will leave at 8:45 am from CCU and leave 1 pm from Golden.

Details

Friday 18 July: 8:45 am – 1 pm

Colorado School of Mines & Calvary Church (Meet in Yetter Hall parking lot)

$35

Description

Led by Steven M. Smith, Emeritus Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, this all-day field trip will introduce visitors to the wonderful geologic phenomena in the Front Range. There will be three different stops, each includes a walk of about one mile, totaling 3 miles for the day. Leaving from CCU, participants will visit Red Rocks Park, a nationally known sandstone formation, home of the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater. Then they will take a walking tour of Dinosaur Ridge and observe dinosaur bones and tracks, sand ripple marks, and listen to a talk on all the Colorado geology that can be seen from this point. The last stop will be Triceratops Trail, before returning to CCU.

Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes (no flip flops or open-toed footwear), a day pack, a one-liter refillable water bottle, and a hat and sunscreen for sun protection. Each participant should pick up a boxed lunch for their day pack before boarding the bus. Optional items can be sunglasses, a light rain jacket, a camera, and a protein bar or snack. Please no rock hammers; rock collection is not permitted at these stops.

Details

Friday 18 July: 9 am – 4 pm (7 hours)

Red Rocks Park, Dinosaur Ridge, & Triceratops Trail (Meet in Yetter Hall parking lot)

$125 (SOLD OUT)

Further details and maps can be found in this PDF.

Description

Embark on an exclusive tour of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) South Table Mountain campus in Golden, Colorado, and delve into the forefront of renewable energy research. This unique opportunity offers a behind-the-scenes look at NREL's cutting-edge facilities, including the Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) and the Research Support Facility (RSF). Guided by NREL experts, you'll gain firsthand insights into advanced energy technologies and sustainable solutions shaping our future. Don't miss this chance to explore the nation's premier laboratory dedicated to clean energy innovation.

• 8:00 am – meet bus at CCU
• 8:15 am – bus departs
• 8:30 am – arrive at NREL Golden Campus; pick up visitor badges
• 9:00 am – start tour
• 11:15 am – tour concludes
• 11:30 am – lunch at the NREL café—self-pay
• 12:30 pm – board bus for return trip (those attending both NREL tours transfer to shuttle)
• 12:45 pm – arrive back at CCU

Details

Friday 18 July: 8 am – 12:45 pm (4.75 hours)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Golden Campus (Meet in Yetter Hall parking lot)

$35

Note:

• All non-U.S. citizens (including Canadian citizens, permanent resident aliens, and resident aliens) are required to obtain advance approval.
• After ASA registration for this field trip, NREL staff will email non-U.S. citizens a copy of the necessary instructions.
• Completed documentation must be submitted by June 15, 2025.
• All participants must wear closed-toe shoes and bring a government-issued photo ID.
• There will be walking between buildings, so sunscreen, sun protection hat, and personal water bottle are suggested.
• Each NREL tour has a maximum of 20 participants.

More Information:

• General NREL info
• Golden Campus info
• Golden Campus Map

Description

Discover the forefront of wind energy research with an exclusive tour of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) Flatirons Campus, home to the National Wind Technology Center. Located approximately 25 miles north of NREL's main facility in Golden, Colorado, this cutting-edge campus offers a unique opportunity to explore advanced wind energy technologies and integrated energy systems. Guided by NREL experts, you'll gain firsthand insights into the latest innovations driving the future of renewable energy.

• 12:00 pm – meet bus at CCU
• 12:15 pm – bus departs
• 12:30 pm – transfer to shuttle at Golden Campus; pick up visitor badges (and anyone attending both NREL tours)
• 12:45 pm – shuttle departs for Flatirons Campus
• 1:15 pm – arrive at Flatirons campus
• 1:30 pm – start tour
• 3:30 pm – tour concludes
• 3:45 pm – bus picks up group at Flatirons campus and takes them to CCU
• 4:30 pm – arrive back at CCU (possibly later, depending on traffic)

Details

Friday 18 July: 12 pm – 4:30 pm (4.5 hours)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Flatirons Campus (Meet in Yetter Hall parking lot)

$50

Note:

• All non-U.S. citizens (including Canadian citizens, permanent resident aliens, and resident aliens) are required to obtain advance approval.
• After ASA registration for this field trip, NREL staff will email non-U.S. citizens a copy of the necessary instructions.
• Completed documentation must be submitted by June 15, 2025.
• All participants must wear closed-toe shoes and bring a government-issued photo ID.
• There will be walking between buildings, so sunscreen, sun protection hat, and personal water bottle are suggested.
• Each NREL tour has a maximum of 20 participants.

More Information:

• General NREL info
• Flatirons Campus info
• Flatirons Campus Map

Description

This tour is an informal and self-guided afternoon in Golden, a delightful place to be on a summer afternoon. The tour hosts will provide you with a map and information about these seven recommended attractions:

• Window shopping along Washington St., Golden’s “downtown.”
• Foothills Art Center, a newly renovated facility in downtown Golden with rotating exhibits.
• The Golden Mill, a food hall with lots of food and drink options (2 blocks from downtown).
• The Golden City Brewery—enjoy a beer in the shade at Golden’s original microbrewery and its “2nd-largest brewery” (2 blocks from downtown).
• The Colorado School of Mines renowned Museum of Earth Science, an incredible collection of rare gems, minerals, and a moon rock (5 blocks from downtown).
• Walking on the Peaks to Plains Trail—two miles of paved trail in beautiful Clear Creek Canyon. Level of difficulty: Easy.
• Tubing on Clear Creek—Late July is a high season for a cool float down the creek. Innertube rentals are available in Golden. Required: a swimsuit or clothes suitable for water and footwear suitable for wading and for walking on pavement. Hat and sunscreen recommended. Lots of walking is required.

Details

Monday 21 July: 1 pm – 4 pm (3 hours)

Golden, CO (Meet in Yetter Hall parking lot)

$25

Note:

• The Museum of Earth Science will also be available as part of the Friday morning Colorado School of Mines Tour.
• The Peaks to Plains Trail will also be available as part of the Tuesday morning guided hikes.

Further details and maps can be found in this PDF.