Colorado Architecture News | 09.20.23


News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 09.20.23

THE WEEK IN WORDS

“We should all be very proud of how the state of Colorado, the architects in this room, the architects in the state, have continued to push forward. And I think the quality of our work is better than ever, and it keeps getting better.”

— Rich Carr, AIA, 2023 Architect of the Year.

Announcing the 2023 Design + Honor Recipients!

The AIA Colorado Annual Design Awards honor the most outstanding work of AIA Colorado members and their firms, reinforce the value of great architecture, and highlight members’ positive contributions to the community.

Last night, at Mile High Station in Denver, we celebrated 22 Design Award recipients and the Honor Awards recipients. While our next member newsletter, slated for Oct. 4th, will have a full coverage recap of the Awards Event, we’re thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2023 Honor Awards as follows:

Watch the Design Awards video to see the recipients of the Awards of Excellence, Awards of Merit, and Honorable Mentions, read the press release here, and learn more about each of the award winners at aiacolorado.org/awards.

AIA COLORADO NEWS

Carol Ross Barney Presents “The Future of Cities”

A featured keynote at ENGAGE 2023 Practice + Design Conference, Carol Ross Barney, FAIA will share her vision of Public Spaces and their role in the future of our communities. Read the full keynote description here.

Join us at Keystone Resort, November 15th – 17th, 2023! Registration is open and we recommend reserving your room soon to ensure an early skiing season doesn’t affect your plans.

New this year is a Pre-Conference Technology Deep Dive, also taking place at Keystone, on Wednesday November 15th from 2pm – 5pm.

DORA Policy for CE Deficiencies When Renewing a License

Colorado-licensed architects are required to renew licenses in odd-numbered years by October 31. As we approach this year’s renewal, the DORA AES Board is expected to send a notification with instructions to your email address on file with the state by the end of September. Remember, the annual state-required 12 HSW hours of continuing education are per calendar year. You still have until December 31 to finish this year’s hours.

The DORA AES board has updated their policies on how CE deficiencies from previous years are handled upon license renewal. Falsely attesting that you have met the continuing education requirements during the renewal process triggers disciplinary action with fines. However, there is now a better system to make up deficiencies ahead of attempting to renew your license with lower penalties for minor infractions. We recommend that Colorado-licensed members follow these steps as soon as possible:

Log into your aia.org account and review your CE transcript from 2021 and 2022 to confirm you’ve earned 12 HSW hours each year.
If you’re deficient, review section 40.15 of the board policies document to understand applicable penalties and be ready to report the deficiency to the AES board.

We anticipate that more information on reporting instructions will be part of the upcoming DORA renewal notification email.

You’ll have until December 31st to complete any make-up CE hours in addition to the 12 required for 2023. You can start that process immediately.
If you have CE deficiencies from prior years, do not attempt to renew your license prior to completing both 12 hours for 2023 and make up any deficiencies, unless otherwise directed by DORA.

If you have any questions, you can reach out to Nikolaus Remus.

Women’s Leadership Summit

This past week in Boston, several Coloradans met up for breakfast at the Women’s Leadership Summit.

From L to R: Krystin Moody, Kari Lawson, AIA, Ely Merheb, AIA, Cheryl Wolfe,
AIA, Sarah Kaplan, Assoc. AIA

Read about the stories, strategies, and success from the Women’s Leadership Summit here.

AIA COLORADO EVENTS

Timnath Middle-High School Tour

September 22nd, join AIA Colorado members in the North for a tour of the new prototype Timnath Middle-High School led by RB+B Architects.

Populus Tours

This September 27th, the Denver Local Advisors have organized two tours of Populus, a project designed to reenergize Civic Center Park, connecting the Golden Triangle Creative District to downtown Denver. Both tours have reached maximum capacity, but waitlists are open and you are welcome to add your name, should someone be unable to attend.

RSVP’d and unable to attend? Please update your RSVP through the Eventbrite platform to allow for waitlisted individuals to be confirmed.

Meeting and Fundraiser for State Legislators in Glenwood Springs

October 4th, join members in the West to meet Senator Dylan Roberts and Representatives Elizabeth Velasco and Meghan Lukens in Glenwood Springs. We’ll hear from each legislator about their priorities in the 2024 legislative session and attendees are encouraged to speak on topics affecting the architecture profession that you see in your practices and communities.

Happy Hour in Denver

October 6th, join fellow AIA Colorado members for a social hour and celebration at Wynkoop Brewing Company (*new location).

Lunch & Learn in Fort Collins

On Monday, October 9th, join AIA Colorado members in the North for a presentation by Powers Products. The topic will be “Choose Your Own Adventure: the Operable Walls Chapter (MODERNFOLD)” for 1 HSW/CEU. This will be a great opportunity to mingle with your fellow AIA colleagues and earn a CEU as well.

University Hill Hotel Tour

October 17th, join AIA Colorado members in the North for a hard hat tour of University Hill Hotel in Boulder led by Shears Adkins Rockmore.

PARTNER NEWS AND EVENTS

Month of Modern

There are three more events scheduled for the 2023 Month of Modern, celebrating all things modern in Boulder. Check out the Mixology Clinic, join the Hoby Wagener Home Tour, and attend the Wrap Party & Awards.
View Highlighted Events

Celebration of the Arts – A Latinx Showcase

This Friday September 22nd, join NOMA Colorado for an event highlighting local Latinx artists within the Design, Architecture, and Arts industry.
RSVP Here

CAP Lecture Series

Thursday September 23, attend Lydia Kallipoliti’s lecture “Our Dirty Footprint; Digesting Waste and Reimagining Infrastructures” at CAP’s Second Floor Gallery.
View Lecture Details and RSVP

“My Architect” Film Screening

This October 5th, join the International Association of Lighting Designers for a screening of the film My Architect. Filmmaker, and son of the story’s protagonist, Nathanial Kahn will be in attendance.

View Event Information and Tickets Here

Habits of the Anthropocene Conference

The ACADIA Board of Directors and the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado Denver are excited to announce the 2023 conference Habits of the Anthropocene: Scarcity and Abundance in a Post-Material Economy. This conference will be held in person in Denver, CO from October 26-28th, 2023.  

View Conference Website

Networking Event with Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade

November 8th, in Colorado Springs, join members from AGC, HBA, CFMA, El Paso County Contractors, ACEC, ULI, and AIA for a networking session with Mayor Yemi from 4pm-7pm at The Warehouse in Colorado Springs. As an AIA member, use discount code “SOCO Partner 2023” to lock in a $30 rate. Look forward to hearing Mayor Yemi’s vision for Colorado Springs and how the design and construction groups can support his vision in the areas of affordable housing, adaptive reuse, land use, and Colorado Springs’ use of Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act funding.

Sign Up Here

NEWS AT NATIONAL

Ensuring Equitable Post-Disaster Outcomes

This Thursday September 21st at Noon MST, join AIA Colorado member Heather Korth, AIA, and her co-presenters Stacy Bourne, FAIA, NOMA, and Marcus Martin for a thought- provoking session about improving equitable outcomes through disaster mitigation and preparedness. During this session, they will shine a light on the systemic inequities that hinder equitable preparedness and contribute to disparities in response and recovery outcomes. Heather’s organization, Our Front Porch, helps Colorado home fire survivors navigate the ups and downs of the recovery journey so they don’t have to go it alone. Register Here

Speak at A’24 in Washington, D.C.

Every year, AIA opens a call for proposals to solicit the best speakers and content for the AIA Conference on Architecture. This year’s event includes a Call for Educational Sessions and AIA is looking for ahead-of-the-curve content from a diversity of voices and career stages. AI, smart materials, community-centered design, sustainability, wellness, and equity are a few of the 32 topics and seven tracks you can submit for, plus a variety of session formats.
Learn More

AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index Sees Softening Business Conditions in August

This marks the eleventh consecutive month of essentially flat billings at architecture firms.
Read More

Premier Partner Spotlight

We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, Humboldt Sawmill and Allweather Wood, and look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.

Humboldt Sawmill Company, LLC manufactures redwood and Douglas-fir dimensional lumber, timbers, and uppers at the company’s sawmill in Scotia, California. Allweather Wood, LLC is the largest waterborne preservative treated lumber and plywood manufacturer in the western United States with five manufacturing facilities, including a facility in Loveland, Colorado. 

View Company Website

Looking for Additional Resources?

View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.

© AIA Colorado 2025
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