Colorado Architecture News | 02.04.26

In this Newsletter:

• Architects Day at the Capitol
• AIA College of Fellows Nominating Committee
• Feb 17: North Section happy hour
• Feb 25: How Architects Can Take Advantage of New Colorado Housing Policies
• Feb 27: Firm Friday at OZ Architecture
• Mar 2: Atelier May lecture at CU Boulder
• Mar 6: EP/YA Virtual Connect
• Mar 10: Business of Architecture: acquiring/merging your business
• Premier Partner spotlight: Architectural Education Foundation (AEF)

2026 Architects Day at the Capitol

AIA Colorado members gathered at the State Capitol on January 30 for our 2026 Architects Day at the Capitol, meeting directly with legislators to share architectural perspectives on housing, transit, energy, and development policy. The morning included conversations with state leaders on key housing bills, a presentation from the Colorado Energy Office, and time on the Senate floor. Senate President James Coleman formally recognized the profession with a tribute honoring the role architects play in shaping Colorado’s communities! 

Explore a recap of events and photos from the day and watch the video of Senator Coleman reading the tribute to architects on the Senate floor here.

AIA College of Fellows Nominating Committee

Election to the AIA College of Fellows represents the highest individual honor bestowed by the Institute, recognizing architects whose careers demonstrate sustained excellence and a broad impact on the profession. Since 1886, 110 AIA Colorado members have been elevated to Fellowship, including two new Fellows named last year. For architects whose work, leadership, and service reflect this level of achievement, Fellowship is a meaningful next step. If you are interested in exploring the Fellowship process, the AIA Colorado College of Fellows Nominating Committee would welcome a conversation. Learn more here and contact Phil Gerou, FAIA, Chair of the Fellows Nominating Committee, by February 18th.

Important Phishing Scam Alert from DORA

The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) was notified about an email phishing scam designed to appear as if it was sent from a DORA employee. The email has the subject line: “Re: Action Required – DORA Enforcement Notice #93742” with a fabricated DORA employee, Cassy T. Sullivan, as the alleged sender. If you have received this email, do not click on any links and report it as phishing.The State of Colorado Governor’s Office of Information Technology is aware of this phishing attempt and is investigating.

Denver Members enjoyed the first Firm Fridays of 2026 at SAR+.

The next Firm Friday is taking place Feb 27th at OZ Architecture.

Feb 17 • North Section happy hour

Tuesday, February 17th, from 5 – 7pm, celebrate Valentine’s Day the AIA way! Join AIA Colorado North members and meet in Fort Collins for a post-Valentine’s happy hour centered on For the Love of Architecture, with good company, thoughtful conversation, and a shared appreciation for design. Join members at Social in Fort Collins and RSVP here.

Feb 25 • How Architects Can Take Advantage of New Colorado Housing Policies

Wednesday, February 25th, at Noon, members can join the AIA Colorado Housing Committee for a webinar uncovering ways architects can take advantage of new Colorado housing polices. If your practice is considering taller residential single-stair buildings or any for-sale residential projects with two or more units, there are exciting new opportunities for architects who do this work. These new policies have specific design and contract requirements that must be met though. Submitted for 1 LU|HSW. More info and RSVP here.

Feb 27 • Firm Fridays: OZ Architecture

Friday, January 30, from 4:30 – 6pm, join members for an informal open house and happy hour as OZ Architecture opens their doors to AIA Colorado members. You’ll have the opportunity to tour OZ’s office and learn about the projects they are currently working on. Connect with fellow members while enjoying drinks and light refreshments. AIA members can RSVP here.

Mar 2 • Atelier Mey: American Building Spirit | Pioneering Architectures of Place

Monday, March 2, at 5pm, join AIA North members and students for a lecture by the Atelier Mey team in the Environment Design Building at CU Boulder. Learn more about the firm, their principals, and the lecture centered around the firm’s belief that Design is Optimism. More info and RSVP here.

Mar 6 • EP/YA Leadership Council Virtual Connect

Friday, March 6th, Noon to 1pm, join AIA Colorado’s Emerging Professional and Young Architect Leadership Council for a one-hour Virtual Connect. This Zoom session will introduce the EP/YA Leadership Council, including our mission, structure, and how our programs support licensure, leadership development, and community building across Colorado. More info and RSVP here.

Mar 10 • Business of Architecture: Acquiring / Merging Your Business

Tuesday, March 10th, join AIA Colorado’s Business of Architecture Committee for an AIA Colorado members only roundtable discussion regarding acquiring/merging your business. This is a hybrid event, taking place in person and online. More info and RSVP here.

Congratulations to AIA Colorado members on their recent promotions at Davis Partnership Architects!

• Ryan Estes, AIA, Associate Principal 
• Jena Lester, AIA, Associate Principal 
• Darren Laging, AIA, Director of Healthcare

Michelle Delk, FASLA, on Architect-ing

Recorded live at the 2025 Practice + Design Conference, keynote presenter Michelle Delk, FASLA, Partner and Landscape Architect at Snøhetta, joins Adam Wagoner, AIA, for a thoughtful and energizing conversation about the urban public realm, adaptive transformation, and how design can strengthen the relationship between people and their environments. Watch the conversation on Youtube or listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora or wherever you get podcasts!

CAP Spring Lecture Series

All events are free, open to the public, and will be recorded unless otherwise specified. All lectures, unless specified, will start at 12 p.m. and be held on the Second Floor Gallery of CU Building, 1250 14th St, Denver, CO. View the full Spring schedule here.

• Thursday, February 5: Mark Lee. Partner, Johnston Marklee. RSVP here *6:30pm, Second Floor Gallery, CAP
• Monday, February 16: Florencia Rodriguez. Associate Professor, University of Illinois Chicago. RSVP here
• Thursday, February 19: Laura Brudzynski. CEO, Archway Communities. RSVP here
• Thursday, March 5: Leyuan Li. Assistant Professor of Architecture, CU Denver. Director, Office for Roundtable. RSVP here

The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:

• Design Technician (Architecture Studio) at Otak
• Senior Healthcare Architect at The Neenan Company
• Project Designer / Project Architect / Project Manager at Lightwell Architecture

Event: Economic Update Q1 2026 ABI Insights

Join AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, and AIA EVP/Chief Executive Officer, Carole Wedge, FAIA, for our quarterly conversation on key insights into the industry’s latest economic data and trends. Read at AIA.

Richard Branch Named New AIA Chief Economist

Branch will analyze U.S. economic trends and construction markets, assessing their impact on architectural practice. Meet Richard Branch at AIA.

We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, Architectural Education Foundation (AEF). 

The Architectural Education Foundation, in partnership with AIA Colorado, offers traveling and professional development scholarships to support your educational endeavors and gain more experience. Since 1961, they have awarded more than $1 million to more than 250 students, architects, and teachers. Thanks to their support, we’re pleased to share the availability of academic and travel scholarships for 2026. 

2026 Architectural Education Foundation Traveling and Professional Development Scholarships are open! Learn more about each available scholarship, application requirements, and apply here.

Looking for additional resources?

Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.

Helpful Links:

• Contact AIA Colorado Staff
• RSVP to Events
• AIA Colorado News and Articles

AIA Colorado Firm Directory

• Add your firm to the directory here.

Save the Dates:

• 2026 Awards Celebration: 
  • Mile High Station, Denver, CO
  • Thursday, September 17
• 2026 Practice + Design Conference: 
  • Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO
  • November 11 – 13

Calls for Proposals:

• AEF Traveling Scholarships
  • Submission window closes March 31
• Design + Honor Awards
  • Submission window closes June 26
• Conference Call for Presentations
  • Submission window closes July 31

Have news to share? If you or your firm have been featured in the media, published in a design outlet, received an award, or announced a major promotion, email AIA Colorado’s Communications Director Jon Bell.