National Laboratory of the Rockies Unveils New Logo

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) unveiled a new logo that aligns more with the laboratory’s new namesake, adopted in December 2025.

The update to NLR’s branding comes as lab experts are ramping up research in critical minerals, artificial intelligence, energy innovations, energy system analysis, and energy security. 

These efforts support the broader goals of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI), which are to advance America’s critical minerals supply chains and accelerate next-generation energy technologies to strengthen our nation’s energy security and power our future.

“This new logo, inspired by our staff, reflects who we are today, an institution grounded in scientific excellence that is focused on addressing our country’s most complex energy challenges,” said Jud Virden, laboratory director of the National Laboratory of the Rockies. “It connects our history to where we’re headed and the impact we aim to deliver.”

The updated visual identity reflects the laboratory’s surroundings in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, as well as its mission to advance America’s energy systems and technologies. 

The new logo features a stylized mountain peak inspired by the Rocky Mountains, a mesa evoking the one near the laboratory’s South Table Mountain Campus, and a golden sun for the lab’s Golden, Colorado, location.

Beginning April 8, 2026, the new logo will appear across the laboratory’s digital platforms, facilities, and communications materials.

As part of the transition, the laboratory’s former URL, nrel.gov, will no longer be available as of May 2026. Links associated with nrel.gov will no longer redirect after that time. The lab’s new domain, nlr.gov, is available now.