2025 Pub. 1 Issue 1

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.

A general contractor’s work is often subject to inspection by a third party, such as an independent professional (generally hired by the owner) or a representative of the authority having jurisdiction over the construction project. Invariably, a failed inspection is considered proof of non-conforming work and requires corrective or additional work to achieve a passing result on re-inspection. Indeed, the General Conditions of the standard AIA contract provide if a third-party inspection “reveal[s] failure of the portions of the Work to comply with requirements established by the Contract Documents, all costs made necessary by such failure … shall be at the Contractor’s expense.” There is little a contractor can do to change this outcome (other than involve the responsible subcontractor to address the problem) because it is difficult to disprove or invalidate a failed inspection.

In today’s evolving energy landscape, commercial solar power is more than just an environmentally responsible choice — it’s an economic and social catalyst. Businesses and property owners who invest in solar energy contribute to a greener planet, enjoy long-term financial benefits, and play a crucial role in strengthening their local communities. While the environmental and economic advantages of solar are well-documented, the positive community impacts often go overlooked.

Safety Committee Chair: Katie Nichols, Kenny Electric Government Affairs Committee Chair: Randy Sewald, Encore Electric Inc.Brandon Berumen, LEI Companies Inc. Workforce Development Committee Chair: Scott Nelson, Encore Electric Inc. Membership Committee Chair: Jerry Kemper, Kuck Mechanical Contractors LLC Young Professionals Committee Chair: Bridger Minnick, Turner Construction Co.Ryan Almaleh, Avison Young Events Committee Chair: Dawn McCombs,