Colorado Architecture News | 09.17.25

News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 09.17.25

In this Newsletter:

AIA COLORADO NEWS

Design + Honor Awards event tomorrow!

Tomorrow evening, at Tivoli Turnhalle, in Denver, we’ll reveal 18 projects and 7 honorees representing the best of architecture in Colorado for 2025. 

Fight the fear of missing out and join us! There are a handful of tickets available at walkup, so grab a friend or colleague and enjoy a great night of celebration. 

Tickets are available here.

Today is the last day to register!

There’s still time to register, just a few hours to be exact, for the Denver Affordable Housing Challenge. Join as architects worldwide have been invited to reimagine affordable housing in Denver. Final project submissions are due October 20th. Learn more about the competition, meet the jury, and prepare for your submission here.

Webinar Series

Buildner, in partnership with AIA Colorado, is hosting a two-part webinar series to support participants of the Denver Affordable Housing Challenge. These sessions feature local experts sharing real-world insights on housing, permitting, and design — helping you better understand the context and challenges shaping development in Denver.

Designing for Affordability in Denver with Susan Powers

Susan Powers, founder and president of Urban Ventures LLC, shares her experience working at the intersection of design, affordability, and community development. She discusses key strategies for delivering housing that meets real needs, while addressing the economic and social challenges unique to Denver. Watch here.

Designing Denver: Framing Our Public Realm with Jill Jennings Golich

Jill Jennings Golich, Director of Denver’s Permitting Office, offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the city is working to make affordable housing easier to build. She talks through initiatives like the Affordable Housing Review Team and Proposition 123 — focused on streamlining approvals while encouraging inclusive, well-designed spaces. Watch here.

Call for Nominations | 2026 AIA Colorado Board of Directors and AIA National Councils

We are seeking AIA Colorado members to serve on the AIA Colorado Board of Directorsand as state representatives to AIA national councils. The AIA Colorado Board provides stewardship of the nonprofit and is responsible for collaboratively setting the direction of the organization through consensus driven governance, policy-making, and strategic planning. The national councils are peer group networks who provide insight from our state into their programming and strategy to the national level of the Institute. 

Ideal candidates are AIA members who are strategically minded, service-oriented, and capable of identifying and responding to industry trends—to enhance and propel the profession and to help members excel in their areas of practice. 

AIA Colorado is committed to broadening equity, diversity and inclusion to create a stronger profession. Towards that end, the nominating committee will make every attempt to recommend a diverse, strategy-driven and competency-based slate of candidates.

Learn more about the upcoming vacancies and being your application here.

Michelle Delk |
Vishaan Chakrabarti FAIA |

Practice + Design Conference schedule released

Introducing two keynote presenters, Michelle Delk and Vishaan Chakrabarti, FAIA, who will each be presenting during the morning sessions Thursday, November 13th, and Friday November 14th. View the conference schedule, including session and presenter’s info for all of this year’s breakout sessions here. Only three booths remain for the Expo Hall and can be reserved here. Sponsorship opportunities are available here. Secure your spot today and start planning your conference experience by registering here!

Conference Schedule

Tech Connect

Join us for a 1-day, separately ticketed event featuring three of architecture’s leading voices focused specifically on the changing landscapes in technology and its rapid impact on our profession.

Learn more about each presentation as well as the Tech Connect happy hour here.

Design Like a Girl 2025/36

AIA Colorado’s J.E.D.I. committee is seeking mentors for the 2025-2026 session of Design Like a Girl. Design Like a Girl is a design mentoring program that introduces a diverse cohort of middle school girls to architecture and allied design professions. Three full-day workshops on Fridays throughout the 2025-2026 school year allow students to learn first-hand about these dynamic careers from local professional women and design students. The workshop dates are October 31st, February 27th, and May 1st and take place at CU Denver College of Architecture & Planning (1250 14th St, Denver, CO), with potential short walking field trips to nearby sites.


Who Should Mentor? DLAG CO is seeking female-identifying design professionals and students to guide, instruct, and inspire participants throughout each workshop. While we would love mentors to participate in all three workshops to get to know the participants, we understand it may not be possible. Multiple volunteer options are available. A flyer is available here. Sign up to volunteer as a mentor by September 30th, here.

Health Horizons Symposium

October 16th, from 1 – 5pm, at CSU Spur – Hydro Building, in Denver, AIA Colorado’s Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community (AAH) and Women in Healthcare (WIH) present an interactive half-day event themed Reimagined Care. Oriented to both AEC & healthcare professionals, don’t miss this chance to connect with peers, share ideas, and envision the future of healthcare. More information and RSVP here.

Two Colorado projects featured on recent episode of American By Design

Tim Politis, AIA, provides a tour of 1 Line, a 2024 Design Award of Excellence recipient, and Chad Mitchell, AIA, walks viewers through Denver Courtyard House, a 2024 AIA Colorado Award of Merit recipient. Watch the episode featuring both projects here.

Sun Valley Block 3 tour

AIA members toured Joli and Flo one year ago and were back recently to see updates. OZ Architecture has been working in partnership with Denver Housing Authority in the Sun Valley Neighborhood and we thank Rick Peterson, FAIA, and Brian Lopez, AIA, for leading the tour.

AIA Colorado Events

September 18 • Design + Honor Awards

Thursday, September 18th, join AIA Colorado as we unveil the recipients of the 2025 Design + Honor Awards and celebrate the exemplary work of Colorado architects. You won’t want to miss this event as 18 projects are recognized and 7 individual honorees are celebrated at Tivoli Turnhalle, in Denver. Bring your team, clients, family, and friends! Sponsorship information is available here. Tickets are available here.

Sept 20 • Two Mile House tour

Saturday, September 20th, join AIA Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) members for a tour of Two Mile House in Breckenridge. In the Valley of the Blue, this all-electric mountain retreat reimagines the iconic A-frame as a light-filled sanctuary, shaped by views of the Tenmile Range and the path of the sun. More info and RSVP here.

Sept 23 • Denargo Market tour

Tuesday September 23rd, join AIA members for a tour of Denargo Market, the largest mix-use development under construction in the City of Denver right now. The riverfront development will soon host over 3M square feet of new development including thousands of new residential units. The master plan lays out a public realm framework that repositions the site with the river as a front door, with retail and food and beverage spilling out onto a new extension of the RiNo promenade. The first phase of construction includes over 4-acres of new public space including streets, plazas, and parks. More info and RSVP here.

Sept 24 • The State of DEI in Colorado: What’s Next for the Architecture Profession?

Wednesday, September 24th, join AIA Colorado’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee and NOMA Colorado for an insightful roundtable discussion about the State of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in Colorado. This roundtable invites AIA members, NOMA Members, and AIAS and NOMAS members into an open, inclusive conversation about the evolving state of DEI in architecture. As the profession, and equality infrastructure in general, faces another moment of reckoning, where many feel discouraged by the pace of progress or the diminishing visibility/viability of DEI efforts, this session offers space for honest reflection and reconnection. Event to be submitted for 1.5 LU|HSW. More information, meet the moderator and panelists, and RSVP available here.

Oct 3 • Code Class: 2024 IRC Update

Friday, October 3rd, learn up-to-date residential construction code addressing the design and construction of one- and two-family dwellings. This seminar covers the critical changes within the 2024 International Residential Code. Changes to building requirements are discussed. This full-day program includes lunch and has been approved for 7.0 AIA CES HSW learning unit hours. Register here

Oct 9 • Nest56 tour

Thursday, October 9th, join AIA members for a tour of Nest56, a 56-unit affordable housing project in the RiNo neighborhood of Denver with wrap-around supportive services that provide youth with a stepping-stone to a thriving, independent life. SAR+ Architects will conduct a 20-minute introduction and overview then the tour will commence from the sidewalk at 2700 Wewatta Way highlighting several project spaces, including the residential lobby, service provider offices, resident floors, common areas, and a ground floor exhibition space operated by Redline Contemporary Art Center. Tour approved for 1 LU|HSW. Learn more and RSVP here.

Oct 14 • West Virtual Connect: Designing for wildfire, beyond code minimums

Tuesday, October 14th, at Noon, connect virtually with Western Slope AIA members for a discussion about fire resistive construction focusing on the issue specifically for western Colorado. There will be a brief presentation to get the conversation started, following by Q+A and discussion. View the panelists and RSVP here.

RSVP to AIA Colorado Events
View Organization Calendar

PARTNER NEWS

Upcoming CAP Lectures

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 lecture and exhibition series website with full series listings here.

Doors Open Denver

This September 25-28, Denver Architecture Foundation (DAF) invites you to explore the city of Denver through the annual event Doors Open Denver. This year’s theme “Architecture and Nature in Harmony” will explore the relationship between architecture, design, and planning and the natural environment. The event guide can be found on Bloomberg Connects here. Also, check out the keynote by Susannah Drake, FAIA, here. For more information and event listings, go here.

CAREER CORNER

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:

AIA Colorado Job Board

NEWS AT NATIONAL

Young Architects Forum (YAF) August Newsletter

A newsletter from the AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF). Look out for important news, AIA updates, and ways to engage, no biggie. Find the newsletter here

Premier Partner Spotlight

We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, Architectural Education Foundation, and look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community. 

Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded over $1 million in scholarships, grants, and awards to more than 250 recipients. The AEF is more than just an educational fund—it’s a lifeline for aspiring architects and educators, providing the support they need to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of architectural practice.

Every donation to the AEF fuels the future of architectural innovation. Whether it’s helping a student return to school or funding groundbreaking research, each contribution empowers the next generation of architects to design the world we live in.

Contributions not only advance the profession today but also help build a lasting legacy in the field of architecture. Make your secure donation here and help create a lasting impact. 

View AEF website.

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.

Become an Allied member

Helpful Links:

AIA Colorado Firm Directory

Save the Dates:

© AIA Colorado 2026
Skip to content