Colorado Construction Insights and Analysis October 2024

Project Distribution by City

• Denver stands out as the city with the most projects, hosting 8 projects, ranging from multifamily residential developments to mixed-use projects.
• Other notable cities include Colorado Springs (3 projects) and Aurora (3 projects).
• This suggests that Denver is a major hub for construction activity, particularly for large multifamily residential projects.

2. Project Types

• Multifamily-Residential projects are the most common, making up at least 11 of the total listed projects. This indicates strong demand for residential housing, particularly large-scale apartment buildings.
• There is also a notable presence of Industrial and Education projects, reflecting balanced development across residential, industrial, and educational sectors.
• Mixed-use developments, such as 201 Filmore in Denver, are also part of the construction landscape, indicating diversification in urban planning.

3. Project Size

• Projects are categorized into different size bands: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large.
• Large and Medium projects dominate the dataset. Projects like “The Myron Stratton” in Colorado Springs and “Sun Empire” in Aurora are of considerable scale, suggesting high resource and labor demands for these regions.
• Small projects such as “Toll Brothers Remodel and Expansion” and “Crowne Pointe Academy PK-2 Building” may provide opportunities for specialized contractors focused on smaller, niche builds.

4. Active Construction Companies

• Several major construction firms are frequently mentioned, including Saunders Construction, Inc., Catamount Constructors Inc., and Roche Constructors. These companies have a diverse portfolio, indicating that they are key players in Colorado’s construction industry.
• Saunders Construction, Inc. is involved in three different projects, reflecting its strong market presence and capability to handle projects across various sectors, from education to residential.
• Catamount Constructors Inc. is leading large multifamily residential projects in Denver, including the Araceli Ulster Street Apartments and Legacy Metro Center site.

5. Market Focus

• A significant number of projects are centered around multifamily residential developments, suggesting a continued growth in Colorado’s housing market, particularly in urban areas like Denver and Aurora.
• The presence of industrial projects such as Entegris’s Manufacturing Center and County Road 15 Middle School indicates investment in infrastructure and industrial capabilities, particularly outside the core Denver area.
• Educational buildings (e.g., Severance High School, Meadow Community School) also play a critical role in the dataset, showing development focus on supporting community growth and educational infrastructure.

6. Noteworthy Projects

• The I-25 North Express Lanes project in Berthoud is an important infrastructure development, potentially easing transportation and encouraging future commercial activity in the region.
• The Net-zero carbon life sciences building in Boulder reflects trends towards sustainability and eco-friendly construction practices, an increasingly important focus in modern architecture.

7. Trends and Opportunities

• The strong focus on large multifamily residential and educational projects signals opportunities for subcontractors, especially in finishing trades such as drywall, painting, and electrical work.
• The prominence of active and large projects presents ongoing opportunities for material suppliers, equipment rentals, and staffing agencies catering to these big construction companies.
• With the growth of industrial and infrastructure projects like manufacturing centers and express lanes, there are openings for contractors specializing in heavy construction and civil engineering services.

In summary, the construction market in Colorado is robust, with a strong focus on large-scale residential, industrial, and educational projects. Denver remains the focal point, but other cities like Colorado Springs and Aurora are seeing significant growth as well. Subcontractors, suppliers, and service providers targeting these sectors can find abundant opportunities, particularly with large general contractors like Saunders and Catamount Constructors Inc.