DENVER, Colo. (May 14, 2025) – For half a century, PCL Construction has played a vital role in Colorado’s transformation into a thriving hub for business, tourism and the arts. Some of the company’s most iconic builds, such as the original Ritz-Carlton Resort in Aspen and main terminal at Denver International Airport (DEN), were on full display during a museum-themed open house at the company’s U.S. Head Office in Denver on Wednesday.

Visitors were invited to plant seeds at a replica of the greenhouse PCL completed for Denver Public Schools in 2023. At a conference room decorated to resemble the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, guests could pull back the curtain on how PCL’s renovations to the theater helped establish it as one of the country’s leading venues.

The 10 immersive exhibits were designed to highlight the impact and lasting legacy of PCL since its first Colorado project in 1975.

Deron Brown, PCL president and chief operating officer, U.S. operations, attributes the company’s success to strong relationships with clients and throughout the community.

“Relationships are vital in construction – the industry is built off trust, collaboration and reliability,” Brown says. “It was a relationship that brought us here 50 years ago to Colorado Springs. In fact, that relationship still exists today.”

In honor of PCL's 50th anniversary of building across Colorado, below are some of the company’s most iconic builds.

A Doorway to the Rockies: Denver International Airport Jeppesen Terminal (1994)
PCL broke ground on DEN’s Jeppesen Terminal in 1991. Spanning 1.7 million square feet, the seven-level concrete Jeppesen Terminal is one of the largest commercial terminals in the world. PCL’s construction scope also included two parking garages attached to the east and west sides of the terminal, 12 approach bridges, and the underground concrete tunnel for the train that shuttles passengers from Jeppesen Terminal to Concourses A, B and C.

Homages to the Arts: Temple Hoyne Buell Theater (1991) and Ellie Caulkins Opera House (2005).
In 1989, PCL kicked off an extensive renovation of the Buell Theater, which involved demolishing the entire interior of the theater and constructing a 2,800-seat facility and related support spaces. Completed in 1991, the space also includes a promenade connecting the Buell Theater to the Denver Performing Arts Complex Galleria.

Just over a decade after Buell Theater was finished, PCL completed a major renovation of the Newton Auditorium, renamed Ellie Caulkins Opera House when the project was completed in 2005. The 2,225-seat auditorium was designed to enhance the natural sound of the hall. Moveable walls within the orchestra pit adjust to the size of the orchestra and serve as sound reflectors, an element unique to this facility.

Luxury Mountain Tourism & Hospitality: Ritz Carlton Resort (1988), Ritz-Carlton Residences at Vail (2010) and Grand Colorado Building 3 (2019)
In 1988, PCL started work on the Ritz-Carlton Aspen Resort, a 260-room five-star luxury hotel located at the base of Aspen Mountain that now operates as the St. Regis Resort. Completed in 1992, the hotel was constructed using materials to replicate a luxurious European ski lodge and includes several restaurants and a world-class spa. 

Nearly 20 years later, PCL continued its work with the flagship brand, completing the Ritz-Carlton Residences at Vail in 2010. This property is a 564,000-square-foot, six-story high-end condominium project in Vail’s Lionshead Village. PCL also completed Building 3 of the Grand Colorado at Peak 8 in 2019, a 225,000-square-foot building with five levels of condominium units and upscale amenities.

Giving Back to the Colorado Community: Mile High United Way Headquarters (2014)
Since 1997, PCL’s Colorado employees have been heavily involved with Mile High United Way (MHUW), donating $21.2 million over a 27-year span. To better support MHUW’s initiatives, PCL completed a brand-new headquarters for the organization in 2014. The 110,000-square-foot, four-story office building features leasable tenant space, ground-floor retail space, and 54,000 square feet of office and conference room space for MHUW operations.

Preserving a Landmark: 16^th Street Mall (2025)
One of PCL’s most high-profile projects in recent years has been the critical infrastructure upgrades to the16^th Street Mall, an iconic 12.5-block pedestrian and shuttle bus mall at the heart of Denver. In 2021, PCL broke ground on a revitalization project for this landmark, marking its first major renovation since opening in 1982. Scheduled for completion in the fall of 2025, the 16^th Street Mall project aims to enhance safety, mobility and aesthetics, while also creating more opportunities for public enjoyment with interactive art installations and seating areas.

Addressing Water Security: Civil Construction 
PCL’s commitment to building for the future extends into preserving another critical resource: Water. Building upon decades of expertise, the company recently established a Civil Infrastructure Division in Denver to meet the growing need for water resiliency across the west.  

“Colorado's water infrastructure is at a critical crossroads. Aging systems and increasing demands from population growth and drought require prompt action,” says Daňa Lebeda, area manager of PCL’s Denver Civil office. “We have a rare opportunity to modernize our water systems at facilities, ensuring long-term resilience and reliability for Colorado’s communities.” 

To learn more about PCL Construction’s history of building across Colorado, read the full article on PCL.com

About PCL Construction
PCL is a group of independent construction companies that operates throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Australia. As one of the largest contracting organizations in North America, PCL completes more than $8 billion USD in work annually, building projects that shape communities. The company’s 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL’s leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at PCL.com.