Colorado State University has established a fund to rebuild its Equine Reproduction Laboratory (ERL), which was destroyed in a fire July 26. An investigation into the cause of the fire is under way. The university is inventorying biological materials and relocating laboratory personnel to temporary workspaces. The destruction at the laboratory is extensive and much, if not all, of the high-tech equipment is a complete loss, according to Colin Clay, PhD, professor and head of the department of Biomedical Sciences Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory. “With your help, we will rebuild, only better with more space for programmatic growth and development, and improved facilities for groundbreaking research and clinical service,” Clay said. “The fire did not destroy that which is most valuable to our program. We have not lost our intellectual investments; our gifted scientists, teachers and clinicians; our extraordinarily dedicated and talented staff; or our passion for what we do.” CSU credits quick action from the Poudre Valley Fire Authority, the Fort Collins Police Department and the CSU Police Department contained the fire to a single structure. “The impact of the fire on this flagship program is profound, but the response from the ERL community is even more impressive,” Clay said. “We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from former students, colleagues, clients, faculty, staff and friends of the ERL.”
