UCCS accepts city’s tree-planting challenge, plans to plant 150 trees by end of April COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- University of Colorado Colorado Springs is rising to the city's 150th Anniversary challenge, which aims to plant over 18,000 trees by the end of July. The university’s participation in the challenge was headed by a senior undergraduate who applied for a grant through the Colorado Tree Coalition. The coalition provided a $1,500 grant, which was then matched by the UCCS office of sustainability. The trees planted on campus will be purchased from local nurseries to support the local economy. University officials said the tree planting challenge is a part of their ongoing sustainability efforts. They’re hoping home owners jump on board, too.