1865 – Old Camp Collins
Named after William O. Collins, the 9th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry set up camp on these grounds to protect stage and emigrant traffic on the Overland trail.
1935 – Construction Begins
The Fort Collins Municipal Powerplant was constructed to help endure the financial strain of the great depression by supplying cheap power to Fort Collins residents. The plant is located on the original site of the Old Camp Collins. On June 27th, 1936, the Fort Collins Municipal Power Plant took over providing power to the city of Fort Collins. The peak load for the day was 1,350 kilowatts.
The building originally contained two coal-powered steam turbines within its almost 8,000 square-foot foundation. In addition, a landscaped grotto consisting of a waterway and collecting pool was also built, and was used as a part of the power plant’s cooling system.
1937 – Obelisk Fountain Installed
The Art Deco terra-cotta fountain, made up of a large obelisk with four fish and four gargoyles centered inside of a circular pool, was installed on the property around 1937. Before installation at the Municipal Powerplant, the fountain was almost placed in Denver and then in City Park in Fort Collins.
The fountain is the only remaining historic fountain within Fort Collins; in addition to its status as a rare example of terra-cotta decorative construction, it also reflects a pivotal time in American history as it was constructed as a part of the Works Projects Administration (WPA). The WPA was one of largest American New Deal agencies, and employed millions to carry out public works projects. The Art Deco fountain in front of the Powerhouse Energy Campus is an example of one such historic project that is still visible today.
1973 – Plant Decommissioned
Over the decades, various expansions took place. Eventually, amid growth in Fort Collins, the power plant no longer served the community’s power needs. The plant was decommissioned from service in 1973.
1987 – Historical Landmarks
The Fort Collins Municipal Power Plant, its grotto, and the terra-cotta fountain were designated as local historic landmarks by the City of Fort Collins in 1987. The building was deemed to have historical significance to Fort Collins, being the only Art Deco style industrial building that remained in the city.
1990s – Enter Bryan Willson
In the early 1990’s, Bryan Willson, then a Colorado State University assistant professor of mechanical engineering, was looking for a space to conduct his research and saw potential in the abandoned and in disrepair power plant.Willson looked past the lack of heat, power and bathrooms, and saw the perfect site to build the Engines and Energy Conversion Lab (EECL).
The EECL team worked to renovate the facility while they launched ambitious, large-scale research projects.
1990s – 2000s -Innovation and Research Succeed
In the first two decades of the EECL, research and innovation between faculty, staff, and students led to growth and national recognition for the EECL. Beginning with a large engine used to pump gas throughout the nation, their research had grown to include engines both large and small scale.
These early efforts were supported by Sam Clowney, head of the research sub-committee of the oil and natural gas industry council known as the Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI).
2006 – Clean Energy “Super Cluster” Formed
CSU was underinvesting in technology transfer activities, so they put on a challenge to find a group that had proven expertise and could rise to the next level in their field. They had 30 or so applications. The winners received funds that came out of the technology transfers budget. The “Super Clusters” were at that time separate from the building and were aimed to be inclusive of the rest of campus.
2014 – Expansion
The faculty, staff, and students outgrew the original 35,000-square-foot power plant. In 2014 a 65,000 square foot expansion was opened, providing more work space for faculty, staff, students and start-up companies.
With the addition, the building’s name was officially changed to the Colorado State University Powerhouse Energy Campus. The new name reflected the broad interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of the energy work being done at the re-modeled facility. At the same time, the building officially became the home base for the Energy Institute, of which Willson is the executive director.
2015 – Recognition
In 2015, the Smithsonian Institution designated Fort Collins as one of six places of innovation in the U.S. and the only designee in energy innovation.
By tackling environmental problems and creating clean, sustainable alternatives to existing energy sources, CSU, the city and Northern Colorado business community actively pursuing collaborations that result in local innovations with global impact.
2022 – Celebration
In 2022, we celebrated the 30 year anniversary of the Engines and Energy Conversion Labs, which still operates on large scale engines to date. We celebrated both the past, present, and especially the future.
2022 – Present – Continuing Change
Today, the Powerhouse Energy Campus is a modern, 100,000 square foot LEED Platinum Certified building that is one of the largest free-standing energy facilities at any university. It is recognized nationally and internationally for its interdisciplinary approach and its groundbreaking work on engine technology, electric grids, biofuels, energy policy, human behavior, energy access in the developing world, and energy-focused entrepreneurship.
The Powerhouse Campus and Energy Institute will continue to develop energy and climate solutions at-scale that achieve global impact. To do this, Powerhouse is going big. With a new expansion adding 150,000 square feet in Powerhouse II we are doubling down on our mission statement and paving the way for researchers to change the future with ambitious goals of large hydrogen powered engines and total decarbonization.
