CH2M Hill Honored as Climate-Change Leader/Mortenson Endows CU Engineering School/A&P Breaks Ground at DU

CH2M Hill Named U.S. Leader in Climate-Change Consulting

CH2M Hill of Denver has been named one of the top leaders in climate-change consulting in the United States, according to research from Verdantix, an independent research firm focused on climate change, carbon markets and business sustainability.

The Verdantix Green Quadrant research project applied 56 evaluation criteria to assess 19 consulting and professional service firms. Firms were evaluated on their capabilities, including proven climate change/sustainability expertise, market momentum, thought leadership and ability to connect and resolve multiple issues.

The study cited seven firms as leaders, but Verdantix says that CH2M Hill stood out even among the leaders because of the breadth and depth of its capabilities and proven track record. The Green Quadrant research project, based on dozens of interviews with practice leaders and clients, found that despite the economic downturn, demand for climate change consulting continues to grow at a robust pace.

For more information about Verdantix and the Green Quadrant research project, go to www.verdantix.com.

Mortenson Family Gives $5-Million Endowment to CU Engineering

The teaching and outreach work of University of Colorado at Boulder’s civil engineering professor Bernard Amadei and his colleagues in the Engineering for Developing Communities program have received a $5-million gift from Mort and Alice Mortenson, and builder M. A. Mortenson Co.

A $500,000-commitment of university matching funds from the office of CU-Boulder Chancellor G.P. “Bud” Peterson puts CU’s newly renamed Mortenson Center in Engineering for Developing Communities well on its way to becoming self-sustainable.

The gift also establishes the endowed Mortenson Chair in Global Engineering for Amadei, whose work has included the founding of the humanitarian nonprofit Engineers Without Borders-USA. It will also support undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, research assistantships, curriculum development, “Earn/Learn” student apprenticeships and other activities of the Mortenson Center.

EEI Awarded Federal Energy Management Contract

Engineering Economics Inc., a national engineering consulting firm located in Golden, has been awarded a General Services Administration Federal Schedule contract for energy management services.

This five-year contract allows the federal government and its related agencies to hire EEI directly for various energy management, energy conservation, building commissioning, retro commissioning and LEED projects. This puts EEI in a position to partner with numerous federal agencies to implement the energy-conservation and energy-efficiency projects anticipated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

A&P Breaks Ground on DU Katherine A. Ruffatto Hall

Aurora-based Adolfson & Peterson Construction recently broke ground at the University of Denver’s Katherine A. Ruffatto Hall, a LEED Gold-certified project.

This new 71,000-sq-ft facility will serve as the centerpiece of DU’s Morgridge College of Education. The educational hub serves as a center for research, teaching and academic interaction in a technologically sophisticated environment.

Ruffatto Hall will feature office and administration space, the campus’ traditional style of brick and limestone exterior with a copper roof and an attractive water feature on the first floor.

Hyder Under Way with Construction on Two New Denver-area Projects

Denver-based Hyder Construction recently began construction on two new projects in Denver, the University of Denver Sie Cheo Kang Pavilion and Tony’s Market. 

The University of Denver selected Hyder for the addition to the existing Ben Cherrington Hall. The addition, which will house a new lecture hall, faculty and deans’ offices and the Graduate Studies of International Affairs Program, is scheduled for completion in July.

Tony’s Market, a locally owned specialty food market and restaurant, will open its first Denver store at 950 Broadway. The newly constructed space will include a market area specializing in high-quality meats and seafood, a bistro with seating for 80 and a dining patio with outdoor seating. The project is scheduled for completion in June.