A Student Journal of Geography and Environmental Sciences

Confluence

About the Journal

Confluence is the Geography and Environmental Science Department's student-run journal, dedicated to celebrating the outstanding scholarship and creativity of our undergraduate and graduate students. Each year, GES students produce extraordinary work - projects that inspire new ways of thinking about people, place, and the envionment. Confluence provides a space for these ideas to be shared, recognized, and remembered. 

Run entirely by students, the journal offers a chance to experience the peer-review and publication process firsthand while showcasing exceptional projects in an engaging online format. From research papers and essays to story maps, videos, and other multimedia creations, Confluence highlights the diverse voices and talents that make our GES community so vibrant.

Whether you're here to read, contribute, or simply explore, Confluence invites you to discover the remarkable work of our student scholars. 

Aerial view of a intricate highway infrastructure of a dense urban landscape in a major city.

Volume 1, Spring 2022

A river flows through a deep valley surrounded by steep, forested mountains. Colorful buildings are densely clustered on both sides of the river, perched on the slopes and clinging to the rocky terrain. A prominent confluence of two rivers is visible at the center, with churning white water merging into a calmer flow. The scene is framed by misty, blue-gray mountains in the background under a soft, early morning or late evening sky.

Volume 2, Spring 2023

A vibrant market stall displays a variety of fresh produce, including eggs, garlic, carrots, tomatoes, okra, broccoli, and shallots, conveying abundance.

Volume 3, Spring 2024

Get Involved or Contact Us

Confluence highlights exceptional student work nominated by GES faculty and instructors. Faculty members and instructors are encouraged to nominate projects that demonstrate creativity, critical thinking, and scholarly excellence across a range of formats - from research papers and essays to story maps, videos, and other multimedia works. 

For students:

Want your work considered? Talk with your instructor about nomination opportunities.

Interested in joining the Confluence editorial team? We welcome students who want hands-on experience with the peer-review and publication process.

For Faculty: 

Nominations and related injuries can be sent to the Confluence editorial team at ges@ucdenver.edu. 

We are always happy to answer questions about the journal, the nomination process, or ways to get involved.  

Current Issue

Rocky mountain landscape with snow patches and green grass. Yellow wildflowers bloom among the rocks under a bright blue sky with clouds. Serene and vibrant. Photo by Lauren Yeatts, Colorado Native Plant Society
Climate Change Impacts on Alpine Plant Communities
Nighttime forest fire with trees silhouetted against bright orange flames and smoke, creating an intense and dramatic scene. Photo by Egor Vikhrev on Unsplash.
Wildfires and River Ecosystems Across the American West
Close up body of water. Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash.
Analyzing Morphological Changes in the Platte River, CO, USA
A tall tree with lush green foliage stands on a city sidewalk. A person in an orange top and black skirt walks by, creating a serene, urban scene. Buildings and a hotel are in the background. Photo by Stefan Lehner on Unsplash.
What Demographic & Socioeconomic Factors Predict Access to Trees in Denver? Using Spatial Statistical Methods to Reveal Complexity across Space
Lush greenery frames a serene river, with a bridge and distant trees under a cloudy sky, evoking a tranquil, peaceful atmosphere. Photo by Andrew Hall on Unsplash.
Riverine Riparian Areas: Biogeochemical Cycles
People gather around a table outdoors, serving and receiving food. The scene is lively and communal, with a background of urban buildings.
Representing Resources: Denver