AGC of Colorado Hires New Executive Director/ABC Publishes Construction Updates/DHA Launches Energy Conservation Program

Idaho’s Michael Gifford, an experienced AGC chapter exec, will lead the Colorado AGC chapter beginning December 1.

AGC Colorado Selects New Executive Director

The Associated General Contractors of Colorado hired Michael Gifford, the executive director of AGC of Idaho, as the new executive director of the Colorado chapter. Gifford will start on Dec. 1, after he wraps up his obligations in Idaho.

Gifford replaces long-time chapter exec Dick O’Brecht, who retired earlier this year. The chapter has been run by an interim transition team since O’Brecht’s departure.
Gifford’s was one of more than 175 resumes submitted to AGC Colorado after the organization posted the opening in early July.

With more than 20 years of experience in the development and trade association industry and 8 years with AGC of Idaho, Gifford’s focus has been on involvement and education. In Idaho he has directed the chapter’s leadership on several key transportation and environmental issues. Gifford holds a master’s degree in public administration from Boise State University.

ABC to Launch Monthly Construction Update

Associated Builders and Contractors launched its new electronic economic news feature, Construction Economic Update, in early September.

The special news update focuses on the latest economic news and analysis affecting the U.S. construction industry, with monthly releases of construction employment, spending and materials costs and a quarterly measurement of economic activity.

ABC’s chief economist Jeff Taylor produces the analysis of key economic indicators in the industry on the day of their release.

In addition to the electronic distribution of Construction Economic Update to key audiences nationwide, the information is archived in the Construction Economics section on ABC’s Web site at www.abc.com.

AGC Releases Improved Horizontal Construction Contract Documents

The Associated General Contractors of America announced in early August the joint release of the 2007 edition of the Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee construction-related documents.

EJCDC documents are the standard contracts for horizontal construction, such as municipal and utilities projects. AGC, the American Council of Engineering Cos., the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers sponsored the documents. While previously an active endorser, the 2007 edition of EJCDC documents marks the first time AGC authored the construction documents as a full partner in the drafting process.

The 2007 edition offers many significant improvements, including use of AGC 221 Qualifications Statement and AGC 200.1 Materials Price Escalation Clause; a clarified actual knowledge requirement for contractor’s liability for failure to report discrepancies and conflicts; and clarified owner’s obligations if contractors encounter hazardous waste.

ASA Colorado to Offer ConsensusDOCS Workshops

To help familiarize the industry with the new construction best practices family of construction documents, called ConsensusDOCS, the American Subcontractors Association of Colorado will provide webinars throughout 2007 until May 2008.
ConsensusDOCs are model contract documents aimed to improve project relationships, profitability and productivity. They were published in September and endorsed by ASA and other industry partners.

ConsensusDOCS will replace some comparable AGC documents and are comprehensive in nature, offering nearly 80 documents at completion. Once published, contractors may opt to use and adapt language contained within them to define the working and legal relationships on projects.

The documents are the result of the collaboration of many construction industry organizations, including ASA, AGC, Construction Users Roundtable, National Association of Surety Bond Producers and the Surety and Fidelity Association of America. Other construction organizations are committed to endorsing ConsensusDOCS when they are published, said ASAC officials.

For more information about ConsensusDOCS or to register for the webinar series, visit: www.asaonline.com.

DHA Launches New Energy Conservation Program  

The Denver Housing Authority launched a citywide energy-efficiency program in late August that is estimated to save an average of 25% of the authority’s annual energy usage and benefit 7,700 “very low,” “low” and “moderate income” residents across the city.
Average home utility costs in Denver are approximately $1.54 per sq ft. For public housing units, the cost is $2.61 per sq ft, nearly double the area average. Approximately 3,700 DHA housing units will receive energy-saving upgrades, including high-efficiency appliances, low-flow water faucets, showerheads and toilets, windows and building envelope improvements and high-efficiency boilers.

The new program was initiated through a $16 million, 12 year energy performance contract with Honeywell International, headquartered in Morristown, N.J., acting as the general contractor for the project. Construction has already begun and is scheduled to be complete in August 2008.

Architectural Energy Will Lead Colorado Energy Design Assistance Program 

Xcel Energy has selected Architectural Energy Corp. of Boulder to lead its existing Colorado Energy Design Assistance custom-consulting program. The EDA program provides energy design and analysis services through Architectural Energy Corp. free of charge to Xcel Energy commercial and industrial electricity customers that meet the eligibility requirements.

Xcel Energy commercial customers also may receive a financial incentive to reduce the cost of installing energy-efficiency measures into their building designs.

“Architectural Energy Corp. brings over 25 years of experience in helping Colorado architects, engineers and their clients improve the energy performance of their buildings,” said Michael J. Holtz, president of Architectural Energy Corp. “We look forward to working with Xcel Energy and its commercial and industrial customers to reduce their energy consumption and costs, and greenhouse gam emissions through participation in the Colorado Energy Design Assistance Program.

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