Kirsten (Kris) Christensen

Kris Christensen
M.S.S • M.U.R.P. • Instructor • Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Geography & Environmental Sciences

Mailing Address:
Dept. of Geography & Environmental Sciences
Campus Box 172
P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364

Physical Location:
Auraria Campus
North Classroom Building
Room 3016B

Fields of Interest:

Urban Geography and Planning, Cultural Geography, Human Environmental Impacts, Regional Geographies, and Western Land Use


Biography

Kirsten (Kris) Christensen is the Director of Undergraduate Studies and an Instructor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Denver. A "triple alumna" of CU Denver, she holds a B.S. in Music Management, a Master of Social Science (MSS) with an emphasis in urban history, political science, and historic preservation, and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP). She has taught in the department since 2010, bringing a background rooted in urban studies and cultural landscapes to her classes. Her research expertise includes the preservation of Colorado’s historic structures, specifically grain elevators and the historic contexts of the Eastern Plains and the Rocky Mountain National Park.

As Director of Undergraduate Studies, Kris acts as a dedicated guide for the department’s students, advising them on majors, minors, and their broader academic paths. She is passionate about helping students from all disciplines reach their potential, whether in her advising office or in courses such as Urban Resiliency and Sustainability, Urban Geography, Introduction to Urban Studies, and Power of Maps.  A native Coloradan who still resides in her childhood home, she brings a deep personal connection to the region into her work. When she isn't teaching or researching regional planning, she is likely woodworking, reading, waterwise gardening, or cheering on the Colorado Rockies.


Education

MURP, Urban Planning, Urban Geography | 2012
MSS, Political Science, Urban History and Historic Preservation | University of Colorado Denver | 1998
BS, Music Management | University of Colorado Denver | 1996


Christensen, K. H. and Vlahos, E. (2009). Eastern Plains and Front Range Grain Elevators of Colorado. Denver, CO: University of Colorado Denver, Center of Preservation Research.

Christensen, K.H. and Chichester, M. (2009). Inventory: Eastern Plains and Front Range Grain Elevators of Colorado. Denver, CO: University of Colorado Denver, Center of Preservation Research. 

Chalana, M., Christensen, K.H. , and Meschuk C. (2007). Historic Structures Survey: Rocky Mountain National Park. Washington, D.C.: Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

ENVS 1342: Environment, Society, and Sustainability
GEOG 1102: World Regions Global Contexts
GEOG 1302: Introduction to Human Geography
GEOG 1602: Urban Studies and Planning
GEOG 2080: The Power of Maps: Introduction to Geospatial Sciences
GEOG 3412: Globalization and Regional Development
GEOG 3100: Geography of Colorado 
GEOG 4301: Population, Culture, and Resources
GEOG 4640: Urban Geography
GEOG 4680: Urban Sustainability and Resiliency