Colorado Architecture News | 10.21.26

In this Newsletter:

• Register today for the Practice + Design Conference
• Imagining Architecture for Colorado’s Next 150 Years
• Funding Opportunity: Large Building Decarbonization Grants
• Oct 21 • University of Colorado Anschutz Health Sciences Building tour
• Oct 22 • LAWS whiskey house tour
• Oct 27 • Cherry Creek North multi-site tour
• Oct 28 • CRAN Fall Home Tour
• Member Spotlight: Margarita Gonzalez, Assoc. AIA
• Premier Partner Spotlight: IMEG

Three Days of Learning, Connection, and Inspiration

The AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference brings our architecture community to Keystone November 11–13 for exceptional keynotes, fresh learning opportunities, and the camaraderie members look forward to every year.

October 30 is the last day to register at the regular rate and reserve lodging through our Keystone room block. Make your plans now to join us for all three days, including Wednesday’s State of the State of Colorado, which is included in this year’s registration.

Earn up to 12 LU|HSW, with 14 LUs total submitted. We’ve expanded the schedule to help you get the educational credits you’re looking for:

• New morning micro-sessions: Start Thursday and Friday with three presentations in a one-hour learning session, from 7:30–8:30 am, before the day’s first keynote.
• New Thursday Lunch & Learns: Choose from three HSW presentations offered from noon–1 p.m.
• Outstanding keynotes and intriguing breakouts: Explore ideas shaping the profession with John Ronan, FAIA; Stephen Kieran, FAIA; Robert Ivy, FAIA; Florian Idenburg and Jing Liu; and Angela Brooks, FAIA, and Lawrence Scarpa, FAIA.

There’s plenty to discover between sessions, too. Scheduled committee meetups offer time to connect with fellow volunteers or learn about a committee you’re interested in joining. Visit a sold-out Expo Hall featuring new vendors, and stop by AMP Media for a free professional headshot.

Reduced registration is available for Early-Career Architects, AIA members licensed after January 1, 2021. Associate AIA members also enjoy reduced conference pricing. 

Come for the education, reconnect with your community, and leave with fresh ideas for your practice!

Imagining Architecture for Colorado’s Next 150 Years

On October 8, architects, community members, and design enthusiasts gathered at the Aspen Art Museum to consider how architecture can shape Colorado’s next 150 years. Moderated by Sarah Broughton, FAIA, the program featured Huili Feng, AIA; Will Otte, AIA; Andi Korber, AIA; Scott Rodwin, AIA; Andy Rockmore, AIA; Sonya Shah, AIA; Bill Turner, AIA; Jarrett Hardy, Assoc. AIA; Kari Lawson, AIA; and Jenny Trumble, AIA. The panelists explored how homes can respond to changing needs, costs, and climate conditions, as well as how public spaces, infrastructure, transportation, and cultural places can strengthen community. Together, they challenged architects to move beyond identifying problems and help communities imagine what could go right. Read the event recap and explore photos from the conversation here.

Funding Opportunity: Large Building Decarbonization Grants

The Colorado Energy Office is accepting applications through October 23 for the second and final funding round of its Large Building Decarbonization (LBD) Showcase Grant Program supporting implementation-ready projects that help large buildings meet Building Performance Colorado targets ahead of their deadline or reduce emissions beyond their selected target.

Awards range from $500,000 to $2 million, with $8.5 million available in this round. Funding can cover 50% of implementation costs for standard buildings and 65% for under-resourced buildings. Eligible projects can include electrification of heating and water heating systems, high-efficiency electric HVAC and heating equipment, onsite renewable energy and energy storage, and other qualifying improvements.

AIA Colorado members are encouraged to share this opportunity with building owner clients who may have eligible projects. Even if your firm isn’t pursuing the funding directly, making clients aware of available resources is another way architects can provide value as trusted advisors.

Already working with clients on Building Performance Colorado upgrades? We’d also like to hear what you’re seeing. Are building owners moving forward with necessary improvements? What challenges are affecting their decisions or timelines? Share your experience with Nikolaus Remus, AIA, AIA Colorado’s Advocacy Engagement Director at nikolaus@aiacolorado.org. Learn more and review eligibility requirements here.

Oct 21 • University of Colorado Anschutz Health Sciences Building tour

Wednesday, October 21st, at 4pm, join members for tour of the University of Colorado Anschutz Health Sciences Building, a 2023 AIA Colorado Design Award of Merit recipient. Designed by Anderson Mason Dale and ZGF Architects and completed in 2022, the Anschutz Health Sciences Building furthers the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus’s trajectory as one of the leading medical care, translational research, and educational facilities in the world. Tour approved for 1.5 LU|HSW. More info and RSVP here.

Oct 22 • LAWS whiskey house tour

Thursday, October 22nd, at 5pm, join members for a tour of LAWS whiskey house, a 2025 AIA Colorado Design Award of Excellence recipient. Explore both the architecture crafted by BOSS architecture and the whiskey-making process that sets Laws Whiskey House apart. The tour culminates with a cocktail and unique Q&A session with owner representative and architects from BOSS. Tour approved for 1 LU|HSW. More info and RSVP here.

Oct 27 • Cherry Creek North multi-site tour

Tuesday, October 27th, at 4pm, join members for a guided architectural tour of two new commercial office projects in Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood: 2nd and Adams and 242 Milwaukee. The tours will explore the design and technical execution of contemporary five-story office buildings, with particular attention to how traditional masonry and high-performance glass systems balance structural demands, energy efficiency, daylight, and occupant well-being. Tours to be led by OZ Architecture and 4240 Architecture. Combined tours approved for 2 LU|HSW. More info and RSVP here.

Oct 28 • CRAN Fall Home Tour

Wednesday, October 28th, at 4:30pm, join AIA Colorado’s CRAN to explore a new Boulder home built following demolition of the previous residence. Melton Design/Buildarchitects Richard McSwain, AIA and Alex Parulis will share how the team balanced the homeowners’ goals with Boulder’s stringent zoning requirements and resolved structural, mechanical, and stormwater challenges. Limited to 16 AIA members. Tour to be submitted for 1 LU|HSW. More info and RSVP here.

Member Spotlight: Margarita Gonzalez, Assoc. AIA

Meet Margarita Gonzalez, Assoc. AIA, founder and principal of Minidwell and AIA Colorado’s 2026 Associate of the Year honoree. Margarita reflects on the international experiences that shaped her approach to design, the importance of listening to communities, and how education and involvement in AIA Colorado help create a sense of belonging within the profession.

Read the Member Spotlight here.

Rodwin Architecture announced the promotion of three architects to Associate: Blake Sullivan, AIA, Co-Chair of AIA Colorado’s Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN), Kirsten Heitfeld, AIA, Secretary of AIA Colorado’s Committee on the Environment (COTE). and Shannon Wehner, AIA.

Shaping the Denver Region’s Building Energy Policies: Industry and Technical Partner Input Sessions 

Friday, October 23, from 9 – 11am, The Building Policy Collaborative, a program of PowerAhead Colorado, invites you to a virtual session about collaborating with local governments to develop a policy framework to improve energy performance in existing commercial and multifamily buildings. Your feedback will help inform the final regional model framework. The framework will serve as a model policy local governments can adopt to advance their building energy goals. Join them for a virtual session to learn about the draft policy framework and provide comments. Learn more and register here.

Denver Permitting Forum: Commercial + Multifamily Projects

November 17, from 2 – 4pm, join the Denver Permitting Office for updates on commercial and multifamily permitting, including process improvements, new customer tools, and recent regulatory changes. Connect with staff from city departments involved in permitting and bring your questions for a general Q&A. Meet at 101 W. Colfax Ave., first-floor auditorium and enter at Cleveland and 15th streets. RSVP required. Reserve your spot here.

Colorado Springs Fire Department quarterly meetings with architects

The Colorado Springs Fire Department would like to extend an invitation to local architects to attend a quarterly meeting for collaboration and discussion of pertinent topics. If you have specific topics that you would like to discuss, please email them to Senior Fire Inspector Jacob Watson at Jacob.Watson@coloradosprings.gov at least two days before the meeting. The next meeting will be Friday, October 23rd, from 9 – 11am, at the Fire Construction Services conference room at 2880 International Circle Colorado Springs, CO 80910.

Celebrate 100 Years of Design Education at CU Boulder

Wednesday, November 4, from 4:40 – 6:30pm, join CU Boulder’s Department of Environmental Design for an evening celebrating 100 years of architecture and environmental design education. The event features a gallery reception and exhibit exploring CU’s design education history, followed by a talk and discussion with AIA CEO Carole Wedge, FAIA, who will receive the 2026 ENVD Distinguished Alumni Award. Alumni, members of the design community, and the public are welcome. Learn more and join the celebration here.

Shaping the Denver Region’s Building Energy Policies: Industry and Technical Partner Input Sessions 

October 23, from 9 – 11am, The Building Policy Collaborative, a program of PowerAhead Colorado, invites you to a virtual session about collaborating with local governments to develop a policy framework to improve energy performance in existing commercial and multifamily buildings. Your feedback will help inform the final regional model framework. The framework will serve as a model policy local governments can adopt to advance their building energy goals. Join them for a virtual session to learn about the draft policy framework and provide comments. Learn more and register here.

CAP’s Fall 2026 Lecture and Exhibition 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 Fall schedule here.

• Thursday, October 22 • Kevin Hirth – CU Denver CAP, Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, KEVIN HIRTH Co., Founder
• Tuesday, November 3 • Liaohui Guo – Atelier Guo, Principal Architect
• Thursday, November 12 • Annabelle Selldorf, FAIA – Selldorf Architects, Founder

AIA Colorado Job Board

Looking for your next career move? Explore fresh job listings updated daily. Hiring? Showcase your open position for 30 days and connect with top-tier talent. 

Featured listings:

• Senior Project Architect at Sopher Sparn Architects
• Project Architect at Caddis P.C.
• Architectural Associate at Foothills Architects, Ltd.

AIA Expands Licensure Support for Associate Members Through PrepARE

Your Associate AIA membership includes free PrepARE practice exams for the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®), plus discounted access to expanded resources and community support. Start here.

Architecture Billings Decline Further Amid Weak Market Conditions

The ABI score fell to 44.7, down from August’s score of 47.2, marking the largest share of firms reporting declining billings since May. Read more at AIA.

AIA publishes guide to advance regenerative design

AIA’s report, Creating a Better World Together: Financing and Building Regenerative Design, provides a roadmap for funding and delivering regenerative projects. Learn more at AIA.

Women’s Leadership Summit 2026

Women’s Leadership Summit, powered by AIA, brings together the largest network of women in architecture, design, and the allied building industries. This year, the event will take place in Kansas City, MO, from November 1-3. Be part of the WLS community dedicated to advancing women’s leadership and empowerment. Learn more and register at AIA.

With a history that dates back over 100 years, IMEG Corp. grew from several firms coming together under one uniting vision: people-centered engineering. As a national engineering and design consulting company IMEG intentionally localized a focus to serve carefully chosen regions and markets, allowing them to put relationships and communities first, without sacrificing expertise. 

IMEG’s specialties are high-performing building systems, infrastructure, program management and construction-related services, but the secret to the success is found in a deep bench of 1,600 team members. For IMEG, people-centered engineering is about more than the people served — it’s representative of the engaged employee culture they’ve worked hard to create. IMEG believes in investing in their people and their professional futures through continuous training, community involvement and the ability to develop a niche specialty.

See IMEG’s AIA Continuing Education Courses

View IMEG company website

Find the Right Expertise

Our Allied Members bring depth and diversity to Colorado’s design and construction community. These experienced professionals offer specialized knowledge that complements architectural practice and elevates project outcomes statewide.

Helpful Links:

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

2026 Practice + Design Conference

• Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO
• November 11 – 13
• Conference sponsorship information
• Expo Hall registration

2026 Awards Coverage

Celebrate the 17 winning projects of the 2026 Design Awards and meet the eight recipients of this year’s Honor Awards here.

AIA Colorado Firm Directory

• Add your firm to the directory here.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) committee

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.