April 10, 2025

Highlights of this project include early onboarding of major trades for schedule efficiency and pull-planning process for better QA/QC, higher productivity and more accurate durations. The project led to workforce development opportunities in collaboration with the client. There were 239,295 man-hours logged and no OSHA job transfer or restriction cases.

The Falcon Stadium project was completed on a fast-track schedule without safety incidents, using innovative technologies and sustainable materials. Despite significant weather events and site constraints, the project was delivered ahead of schedule with extensive stakeholder collaboration.

With Adolfson & Peterson Construction in a design-assist role, the 199,358-square-foot Northridge High School was transformed. Renovations encompassed polishing, grinding and staining of concrete floors; building a chiller system and fan replacement with TAB; new paint throughout; and fire alarm/suppression system upgrades.

The Foothills Golf Course Clubhouse project replaced a dated 1970s facility with a 27,648-square-foot mass timber structure. It features high-end finishes, sustainable elements and innovative construction methods. The project was completed without safety incidents despite a challenging site and operational constraints.

Our industry faces an urgent and growing need for qualified tradespeople and professional staff. Market trends like onshoring, federal stimulus and aging infrastructure have amplified a significant labor shortage. Factors such as regulatory changes in the Inflation Reduction Act, insufficient skills training in primary and secondary education, and a retiring workforce have created a perfect storm of demand for skilled workers, particularly in field leadership roles.

The construction industry in the Rocky Mountain Region is as dynamic as the terrain itself, with Colorado and Wyoming serving as key hubs for infrastructure development and growth. From the bustling urban centers of Denver and Colorado Springs to the expansive energy fields in Wyoming, construction companies face unique opportunities and risks. For ABC members, understanding how insurance and surety intersect with construction is essential for safeguarding projects, ensuring compliance and driving business success.

Like any other industry, builders regularly classify contract labor as either employees or independent contractors (1099 workers). Generally, if the contract labor is going to work under your company’s direct control/management, there’s no question that the worker should be classified as an employee, and thereby entitled to minimum wage, workers’ comp insurance, unemployment insurance, tax withholdings, etc. However, it is often economically beneficial for the business relationship to seek labor from an independent contractor — someone who does not need to be directly supervised, who can autonomously tackle discreet construction activities on your behalf — and, therefore, your company has no legal risk or financial responsibility beyond the contract value of the labor.

Innovation, efficiency and cost-effectiveness are crucial in the construction industry, yet government-mandated Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) often act as barriers rather than bridges, leading to higher costs and limited opportunities. PLAs exclude nearly 9 out of 10 workers in the U.S. construction industry from building and rebuilding America and their own communities because they do not belong to a union. Merit-shop contractors, who prioritize equal opportunities regardless of union membership, excel in fostering innovation, inclusivity and fair competition, offering a compelling alternative. Organizations like ABC are pivotal in promoting merit-shop principles, advocating for fair and open competition, and championing policies that empower all contractors to contribute to the industry. As we explore the drawbacks of PLAs and refute their perceived benefits, let’s advocate for open competition to strengthen the construction industry and our workforce to benefit the communities in which we work.