The Wright Collegiate Challenge is a hands-on, 12-week challenge for college students at all levels throughout Colorado. Student teams are connected to businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations across the outdoor space to tackle a range of pivotal issues in the industry. Over the course of the competition, students will be tasked with developing actionable solutions to challenges facing businesses and communities at the forefront of today’s rapidly-evolving outdoor recreation economy.
The key to a successful experience is the selection of challenges to be taken on by student teams. Each year, The Wright partners with organizations representing a mix of business, nonprofit and civic groups to present a balanced and wide-ranging set of challenges reflecting real issues being addressed in real time by our Challenge Partners.
Challenges are identified within three tracks — People, Product, and Place — with four central impact areas affecting the outdoor recreation industry. These impact areas line up with the four pillars incorporated into the Confluence Accords, providing a framework through which students will be expected to address each challenge. These impact areas are:
CHALLENGE STATEMENT
Eureka! McConnell Science Museum strives bring to hands-on math and science curriculum to the community of Mesa County. Eureka recently started outdoor adventure programming and has struggled to provide equitable outdoor programming to the Clifton community. The students’ challenge is to develop a permanent solution to address the lack of convenient and safe access from Clifton schools to the miles of trails in the Grand Junction/Clifton area.
CHALLENGE STATEMENT
Participants are tasked with developing a strategy to educate, inform, and persuade key stakeholders about the importance of the Dark Sky Initiative. The ideal goal is driving the community’s strategy of building a strong outdoor recreation economy to support economic development. Target audiences for buy-in include regional county commissioners and public land agencies.
CHALLENGE STATEMENT
Fishpond’s commitment to the health of habitats and species around the globe is foundational to our identity. One way we show our commitment to the future of the environment is through our B-Corporation Certification. With the countless hours of work that go into that certification, we are looking to leverage our B-Corp status as a marketing and communications tool. How can Fishpond educate consumers about the value of a B-Corp Certification and integrate it into the company’s brand identity?
CHALLENGE STATEMENT
There are over 500 climbing gyms in the U.S. However, many gyms are not trained in adaptive climbing best practices for individuals with physical disabilities. Via their Adaptive climbing Initiative, how can Paradox Sports increase climbing gym participation in the adaptive climbing training program in order to increase access for individuals with physical disabilities?
CHALLENGE STATEMENT
In looking to identify a new, more portable and sustainable solution for carrying Tailwind Nutrition endurance fuel, the company is out to gain a better understanding of the key drivers for market acceptance. And, ultimately introduce a unique line of packaging which results in less waste and greater portability.
CHALLENGE STATEMENT
Our challenge is to establish a set of Product Impact Standards around our company’s sustainability efforts. Specifically, we are looking to establish a standard for calculating our company’s carbon footprint, measuring that footprint, and then devising a plan to make subsequent reductions.
Currently-enrolled students (undergraduate or graduate) from any participating institution are welcome to participate. Individual institutions may have additional qualifications – please check with your institution’s sponsors or reach out to Community Manager, Lindsay Hastings, at lindsay.hastings@western.edu for additional details.
The format will be a pitch competition with one elimination round to determine an overall champion. Participants will be judged on the following criteria:
INNOVATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
VIABILITY
WORKFORCE TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
SUSTAINABILITY, CONSERVATION & STEWARDSHIP
ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSIVITY
PARTNER ENGAGEMENT
There are two steps:
If you are interested in competing in the 2021 competition as either a student, university, or challenge partner, please reach out to Community Manager, Lindsay Hastings, at lindsay.hastings@western.edu for additional details.
Launched in 2019, in collaboration with the Colorado School of Mines and the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office with support from Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation, the Challenge sparked interest and participation from 74 students who had the opportunity to learn about unique challenges facing the outdoor industry in three areas — conservation, stewardship & sustainability; innovative materials & technologies; accessibility, health & wellness — engage with mentors with deep industry experience and ultimately pitch their ideas to a diverse panel of judges.
In 2020, we introduced a new virtual format, centrally organized and managed via the online Zoom platform, and in partnership with the Western Colorado University Outdoor Industry MBA program. Student participants and challenge presenters engaged virtually throughout their projects, with Michael Clayton, a second-year student in the Outdoor MBA program, serving as online challenge Community Manager. The Community Manager’s role is to streamline communications, coordinate online forums and help participants track down information and resources, as necessary.
In 2021, we continued our virtual Zoom-based format and are proud to include multiple partner institutions (Western Colorado University, Colorado Mesa University, and Colorado Mountain College) for the first time, incorporating a mix of students at multiple levels. Lindsey Hastings, a student in the Western Colorado Outdoor MBA program, is serving as Community Manager.
CHALLENGE STATEMENT
Smartwool receives a number of warranty items back from our great consumers each year via mail. In addition, we sometimes have excess inventory that isn’t suitable for the marketplace. Currently, we don’t have a sustainable solution to dispose of unwearable/unsaleable items. We are looking for both upcycling and recycling solutions that better the planet and our communities, and, if possible, Smartwool’s revenue stream. We are open to any ideas that fit within our purpose and values and help the planet. Think about a few options: 1) Upcycling and turning the product into a new/different product 2) Recycling and repairing and reselling 3) Donating
CHALLENGE STATEMENT
1) In looking to real-time ways to mitigate and reduce Salida’s carbon footprint, transportation is a readily identifiable area to address. What initiatives might the community consider, and why, in its efforts to become carbon-neutral by 2030? 2) How can the community of Salida best encourage and incentivize property owners to convert commercial and residential properties to renewable energy sources? How do you do this affordably and efficiently? Develop a public utilities & building plan to help the city reach its goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2030.
CHALLENGE STATEMENT
Despite its high volume of public lands and natural surface trails, a large percentage of Mesa County residents do not engage in outdoor recreation. Pathways to Nature, a report funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and produced by Colorado Mesa University, cites time, cost, transportation, perception of safety, and quality of facilities as barriers.
The challenge is to take the recommendations of the Pathways to Nature report and create an actionable plan for increasing outdoor recreation participation in a specific area of Mesa County that experiences significant social determinants of health challenges. Income, social connectedness, neighborhood, and built environment, health outcomes, and academic achievement are among the social determinants of health that should be considered when drafting an action plan.
CHALLENGE STATEMENT
Create, for scale, a new comprehensive, sustainable, direct-to-consumer business market strategy/plan for the artisan, small-batch fly rod manufacturer. SaraBaraBella has had a strong direct-to-consumer plan for the past five years; at this juncture, we’re looking for unique ways to expand our reach so we can get our products in the hands or more/new anglers around the world. Yes, we like to stir things up, do things differently than our competitors, and make an impact along the way.
CHALLENGE STATEMENT
Develop/source more sustainable packets for First Ascent’s single-serve coffee without compromising durability.
