The Colorado Center for a Sustainable WE²ST at Colorado School of Mines was formulated to promote the joint sustainability of unconventional and renewable energy production and water resources through education of energy-water literate graduate and undergraduate students, and by conducting world-class research on water resources related to unconventional and renewable energy production. WE²ST was initially established with generous support from ConocoPhillips and is now the nation’s “go-to” institution for research, education, and outreach associated with the joint sustainability of water resources and energy production in arid lands.