Faculty
Catherine Keske
Agricultural and Resource Economics
Assistant Professor
C111 Plant Science Building
catherine.keske@colostate.edu
970-491-7346 office
970-491-0564 fax
Research Interests
My research uses economic theory and modeling to solve resource and environmental management issues. I often collaborate with physical scientists and engineers on projects involving land use, energy, recreation, nutrient management, biochar, and ecosystem services. My energy projects involve work with anaerobic digesters, harvesting algae for energy, biofuel production from oilseeds, and climate change.
I was PI on a recent energy pricing study that assesses the total cost of energy generation. This study was funded by the Colorado Governor's Energy Office and was presented before the Public Utilities Commission on December 17, 2010. Please click the following links for a copy of the full technical report and the executive summary. We believe that this innovative project has initiated conversation about total cost pricing of electricity in Colorado, and that it will be instrumental to future policy making.
- Governor's Energy Office - Designing a Technology-Neutral, Benefit-Pricing Policy for the Electric Power Sector in Colorado(pdf)
- Governor's Energy Office - Executive Summary (pdf)
- GEO Pricing Tool (excel)
My peer reviewed journal article on the Marginal damage costs of electricity generation appeared in the Electricity Journal in November 2011:
Keske (2011) Costs of Environmental and Performance Attributes of the Colorado Electricity Sector
We recently received funding from the Colorado Governor's Energy Office to update the pricing tool. Updates are expected in June 2012.
I have also published a technical report on the economic feasibility of anaerobic digestion in Colorado which was funded by the Colorado Governors Energy Office under grant 09-205.
One USDA AFRI (formerly NRI) project examines the sustainable economic benefits that alpine environments can provide to mountain communities in the Intermountain West. Preliminary results indicate that high mountain recreation is relatively “recession proof”, and hikers place a high value on these experiences, even in times of economic decline.
- Loomis and Keske (Contemporary Economic Policy, 2011)
- Keske, Lohman, and Loomis (Tourism Economics, 2012)
We hope that results from this study will yield sustainable job growth to rural Colorado during the next five years. This study is an extension of a recent non-market valuation project on Colorado Fourteeners, mountains whose summits rise above 14,000 feet. This study was featured on National Public Radio in 2007: 
One paper published from the mountain ecosystem project revealed that mineral extraction and recreation can co-exist when both industries have the backing of the community. We gathered this data using an audience response system, known informally as “clickers”. Links to this paper, and other high alpine recreation papers can be found by clicking these links: Collaborating with Communities, Keske and Smutko 2010
I am also conducting work in the West African nation of Mali. This USAID project involves building a poultry hatchery and securing micro-credits for Malian women. The manure will either be returned to the soil or used for biogas. This interview on Mali national news aired on television in February 2011: Mali National News, LeJournal, Station ORTM - Mali National Interview:
Extension & Outreach
Many of my research projects tie closely to CSU’s Institute for Livestock and the Environment. The mission of this interdisciplinary organization is to “solve problems at the interface of livestock production and science-based environmental management. I believe that outreach is a logical extension of solid academic research. During the next several years, I will be part of a large grant to study international pastoral systems in Africa and Central Asia.
As an example, a recent USDA AFRI (formerly NRI) project on conservation easements has produced several academic and outreach publications. Attached please find a link to a recent CSU extension publication on this topic.
Attached please find a link to recent academic publications and CSU extension publication, respectively.
Cross, Keske, et al. (2011, in press in Landscape and Urban Planning)
Keske, Gripne, and Sherrod (2008)
I have also conducted work in decision analysis and small business development. This interest stems from ten years of experience in the corporate world. One USDA Risk Management Agency project involved multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional collaboration to develop risk management tools for agricultural producers. These tools are available to the public and can be found on the website: www.risknavigatorsrm.com.
Courses:
My current teaching load focuses on applied economics.
I teach LAWS 4452 at Denver University Sturm College of Law. This is a natural resource and environmental economics course appropriate for JD students and attorneys returning for an LLM. (Keske LAWS 4452 syllabus) I have also taught energy economics at the DU Law School. Several of my publications are in the legal literature:
Keske (2011) How to value environmental and non-market goods: a guide for legal professionals. Denver Journal of International Law and Policy.
Laitos and Keske (2010) The Right of non-use. Journal of Environmental Law and Litigation.
At CSU, my courses have focused on econometrics, bioenergy, ecosystem services and waste/water recycling. These courses are often co-taught with engineers and scientists with a technical background.
(Keske AGRI/ENGR 681) Bioenergy Policy, Economics, and Assessment
(Keske AGRI 638) Ecosystem Services: Monitoring for Success (offered both online and in the classroom)
I am also the Co-Director for the Colorado for Economic Education (CSU Campus). CCEE developsand present economics courses to teachers of grades K-12. My focus areas are energy, agriculture, and the environment. Link: http://www.ccee.net/.