In 1975, PCL entered the U.S. market thanks to a strong partnership with real estate firm Oxford Properties. Together, the team built Colorado Square, an office building in downtown Colorado Springs, which helped establish the area as a new hub for business. This relationship and project laid the foundation for PCL's growth in the U.S., leading to the establishment of the company’s first permanent office in Denver.
“Relationships are extremely important to the construction industry – the construction industry is built off trust, collaboration and reliability,” says Deron Brown, President and Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Operations. “It was a relationship that brought us here 50 years ago to Colorado Springs. In fact, that relationship still exists today.”
Over the past 50 years, PCL's commitment to building strong relationships has resulted in the creation of iconic landmarks throughout Colorado, significantly impacting the state's culture, economy and community.
In honor of PCL's 50th anniversary in Colorado, below are some of the company’s most pivotal and influential projects.
Standing at 56 stories, Republic Plaza is the tallest building in Denver and the surrounding Rocky Mountain Region. Completed in 1984, this office building played a significant role in transforming Denver into an urban hub for business and culture. Republic Plaza was one of the nation's first ‘smart' buildings, with state-of-the-art telecommunications, life safety, security, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Construction of the office tower and two adjacent retail structures was completed in just 32 months. By self-performing the concrete, the PCL team was able to complete one whole floor of concrete every three days, a remarkable feat at the time.
As of 2025, Denver International Airport (DEN) is the largest airport by size in the Western Hemisphere and consistently ranks among the busiest airports in the world. When PCL broke ground on DEN’s Jeppesen Terminal in 1991, though, the full scale of the airport was still years away from materializing.
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. PCL also installed the famous white tents that make the airport so recognizable. Designed to resemble the snow-capped Rocky Mountains and Native American teepees, the woven fiberglass material can withstand temperatures of minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit to over 450 degrees, is immune to UV damage, and is cleaned by rainwater. The project was completed in 1994 and remains one of the most transformative projects in PCL’s history.
“Our involvement at DEN, especially the iconic Jeppesen Terminal, is a defining moment in our history,” says Brown. He credits Jeppesen Terminal with showing the Colorado community what PCL was capable of and putting the company on the map.
PCL continues to work on projects out at the airport. Kaisha Plambeck, a project manager with PCL, notes a strong sense of pride associated with this continued relationship. “Colorado is so reliant on tourism. Projects that benefit the airport benefit the local economy,” says Plambeck. “Plus, being able to tie our history with the history of the airport gives us a sense of pride. We were here 30 years ago, we're here today – it makes you wonder where we’re going to be in another 30 years.”
While Colorado has plenty to offer for outdoor adventurists, the state is also home to a renowned art scene, thanks in part to facilities that support performances and exhibitions for both world-renowned and local artists. Two of these facilities are the Temple Hoyne Buell Theater (Buell Theater) and the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, both located in the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
In 1991, PCL completed an extensive renovation of Buell Theater, which involved demolishing the entire interior of the theater and constructing a 2,800-seat facility and related support spaces.
Just over a decade after Buell Theater was finished, PCL commenced on 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.
In 1988, PCL started work on the Ritz-Carlton Aspen Resort, now known as the St. Regis Aspen Resort, a 260-room five-star luxury hotel located at the base of Aspen Mountain. 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.
The delivery of these mountain hospitality projects did not come without an abundance of hurdles. “Building in the mountains comes with many challenges, often pretty unique,” says Ryan Odell, operations manager with PCL. “Because of the nature of building in this region, we’re constantly putting together multiple contingency plans and pivoting however we need to.”
Despite the challenges he and his teams have faced over the years, including extreme weather, remote locations and a limited workforce, Odell feels a great sense of satisfaction with building in the mountains.
“Throughout my career, I’ve spent a lot of my time building up in the mountains – from Aspen to Vail to Breckenridge and a number of different places in between,” says Odell. “I've seen a lot of these areas grow, and a lot of that has been spurred by the anchor projects that PCL has built. To know that you built that initial project, and to see all these other projects that pop up around it is something we’re proud of.”
One of the most integral parts of PCL culture is giving back to the community in which the company builds, and its employees live. 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.
In addition to MHUW, PCL proudly supports many charitable organizations across Colorado, including Brothers Redevelopment Inc., Judi’s House, Make-a-Wish® Colorado and more.
16th Street is an iconic 12.5-block pedestrian and transit mall in the heart of Denver. In 2022, 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 16th 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.
Renovating what project manager De’Ohndre Jackson calls, “truly the heart and soul of downtown Denver,” has brought a spotlight on PCL, as the project plays a key role in supporting the success of small businesses and fostering a thriving retail community. It’s not a responsibility the team takes lightly, and being able to meaningfully contribute to a landmark is what Jackson says makes a career with PCL fulfilling.
“PCL has made a substantial impact on the Colorado community,” Jackson says, “It's great to contribute to that through a project like this.”
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.”
Projects like the Vail Wastewater Treatment Facility Master Plan Improvement project, completed in 2023, are crucial to Colorado’s future water security.
As PCL celebrates 50 years in Colorado, it is clear that the company’s commitment to long-term relationships has been the cornerstone of its success. The foundation of PCL's enduring presence lies in the strong relationships built at every level – from clients and partners to the community at large.
“We're in this for the long haul,” says Ryan Schmidt, vice president and district manager of PCL’s Denver office. “Every project we take on isn’t just about that one job – it's setting the stage and building relationships that lead to the next project, and the ones after that for years to come.”
In the challenging world of construction, where plans often change and tough decisions must be made, these partnerships are critical for success. They enable PCL to navigate obstacles and leverage opportunities for the next project. This mindset has been instrumental in PCL's growth across Colorado, fostering new opportunities and ensuring successful projects for years to come.