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Late Registration available for Practice + Design Conference
Did you miss the regular registration deadline? There’s still time to join Colorado’s premier architecture event, the 2025 Practice + Design Conference, taking place November 12–14 in Keystone, CO.
This year’s theme, THE POWER OF, invites you to explore how design can shape policy, processes, and communities, empowering architects to influence the future of our built environment.
Connect with more than 500 design professionals while earning up to 13 CEUs (including 9 HSW) through two days of dynamic programming, keynotes, Tech Connect, and networking. Keynotes include Hank Koning, FAIA, and Julie Eizenberg, FAIA, Vishaan Chakrabarti, FAIA, Landscape Architect Michelle Delk, and Futurist David Zach.
Late registration is available through November 11th. Secure your spot today and join us!
2026 Call for Volunteers
The 2026 AIA Colorado Call for Volunteers is now open. We are seeking members to serve on committees that reflect our mission, vision, and values. Volunteering with AIA Colorado is a great way to develop leadership skills, connect with colleagues, and help shape the future of the profession. We encourage candidates from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds including career stage, firm size, practice type, location, and personal demographics. Apply today and make your impact on architecture in Colorado! Application window closes Monday, December 1st, at 11:59pm. More information is available here.
2026 Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program
The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) aims to train the next generation of leaders in architecture through a series of nine half-day sessions. The curriculum focuses on honing skills like:
- Entrepreneurship and firm management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Negotiation skills
- Client development
- Community leadership
- Understanding industry trends
Each year, this competitive program accepts 16 emerging professionals to collaborate,
learn together, and develop as leaders in architecture. This program is ideal for members who are eager to advance in their career and either have not yet become a licensed architect, or have been licensed for 10 years or less.
Applications for the 2026 Class are now available with the window closing Monday, December 1st, at 11:59pm. More information about the program can be found here and the application link is here.
2026 Ascend Mentorship Program
The Ascend Program connects emerging architecture professionals with mid-career architects through mentorship as an intentional first step into the profession. These connections will support EP’s in the early stage of their careers, guiding through challenges, setting goals, and developing the skill set to succeed. Ascend groups are organized locally.
Program Outcomes:
- Guidance
- Awareness and identification of culture of architecture profession. Training on professional etiquette and expectations. Negotiate the adjustments from academia to profession.
- Support, Problem Solving
- Preparing for and dealing with challenges in the working environment.
- Career Planning, Goal Setting
- Understanding the different career paths in architecture. Setting goals in a career and developing a pathway to achieve those goals.
Mentors and Mentees for the 2026 program are now invited to apply now until Monday, December 1st, at 11:59pm. More information about the program can be found here and the application link is here.
Todd Kennedy, AIA, of CCY Architects, walks us through MOLLIE Aspen in a recent episode of Hotels ByDesign. Watch the segment here.
Nicole Nathan, AIA, of JNS Architecture + Interior Design, shows off Foothills Golf Clubhouse on an episode of America ByDesign. Watch the Producer’s Cut here.
Have a project that you’d like to see in a future America ByDesign episode? The show’s producers are looking for Colorado projects! Information about the show and next steps can be found here.
AIA in conversation with Brad Buchanan, FAIA
AIA members recently met with Brad Buchanan, FAIA, Denver’s Planning Director, and came away from the time together excited about what’s ahead for Denver. Everyone agreed the Development approvals process needs improvement and Brad helped AIA architects understand recent changes and how they’re already making a difference. For example, concept SDP submittals are now “one and done”, meaning CPD will provide responses and projects are able to move directly into Formal SDP Submittals. Additionally, Brad’s charge to AIA Colorado included doing better work. “Denver needs great architecture, but we can’t regulate design,” he said. We’re eager to help Brad and the entire team at Planning and Development shape a more efficient and successful path for better development in Denver.
AIA members met up in the South for happy hour following the AIA Colorado board meeting earlier that day. See photos from the happy hour here.
In Boulder, David Barrett, FAIA, shared meaningful moments from his career, approaches to his craft, and thoughts on life in an environment rich with creativity with members at the event “Drawing on Life: 50 Years with Barrett Studio.” See photos from the event here.
Studio Completiva led members on a tour of The Burrell, a workforce housing development located in Denver’s River North Arts District (RiNo) and Five Points neighborhoods. See photos from the tour here.
The day before Halloween, HNTB led a group of AIA members on a “ghost tour” of the Denver airport. In the end, everyone made it back above ground.. no haunting delays reported. See a video from the tour created by Denver Advisor Sonya Shah, AIA, here. Thanks to Chelsea Wade, AIA, for the photo!