Colorado is 150 Years Old

Introduction 

There are many ways to tell the story of Colorado. You can trace it through historic events, remarkable people or the landscapes that have captivated generations. But perhaps the most meaningful way to understand our state’s first 150 years is through its places.

Buildings, landmarks and public spaces often become more than the sum of their materials. They become gathering places, cultural icons and symbols of community identity. They preserve the stories of the past while creating opportunities for the future. Over time, they come to reflect the values of the people and communities that shaped them.

As Colorado celebrates its sesquicentennial, these places offer a unique lens into the character of our state. From mountain destinations and cultural institutions to historic landmarks, revitalized neighborhoods and groundbreaking infrastructure, they tell stories of creativity, resilience, innovation and heritage. Some welcome visitors from around the world. Others hold special meaning for the communities they serve. Together, they paint a portrait of a state defined by both its history and its forward-looking spirit.

At Saunders, we’ve had the privilege of helping build many of these places. While each project serves a unique purpose, collectively they reveal something larger about Colorado itself. They remind us that the spirit of our state is found not only in its landscapes, but in the ideas, traditions and aspirations that connect us all.

As we reflect on Colorado’s first 150 years, we celebrate a collection of projects that embody the qualities that continue to define our state: scenic, artistic, unyielding, neighborly, daring, enduring and rooted. These are the stories of Colorado — and the places helping shape its next chapter.

Colorado is Scenic

Few places capture the imagination quite like Colorado. From snow-capped peaks and alpine valleys to historic mountain towns, the state’s landscapes have inspired generations of residents and visitors to explore, reconnect and experience the outdoors. For 150 years, Colorado’s natural beauty has been one of its defining characteristics, shaping not only where people travel, but how they experience the state itself.

Two destinations exemplify that enduring connection between place and experience: The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park and Steamboat Resort in the Yampa Valley. Though separated by more than a century of history, both have helped introduce countless visitors to the wonder of Colorado’s mountains. The Stanley Hotel, founded in 1909 by inventor and entrepreneur F.O. Stanley, helped establish Estes Park as a premier destination and remains one of the state’s most recognizable landmarks today. Its distinctive architecture, rich history and dramatic mountain setting have made it an enduring symbol of Colorado tourism. Saunders has partnered with The Stanley Hotel for more than a decade to help transform the historic campus into a premier hospitality, entertainment and cultural destination through a series of restorations, adaptive reuse projects, renovations and new developments.

More than 100 years later, Steamboat Resort continues that legacy of mountain hospitality. Saunders completed recent base area improvements that transformed the guest experience at one of Colorado’s premier ski destinations, enhancing access, amenities and public spaces while reinforcing Steamboat’s reputation as a world-class year-round resort. The redevelopment reflects the evolution of Colorado’s outdoor recreation industry and its continued importance to the state’s identity and economy.

Together, these destinations remind us that Colorado’s scenic beauty is more than a backdrop. It is a defining part of who we are — drawing people from around the world to experience the places, landscapes and adventures that make Colorado unlike anywhere else.

Colorado is Artistic 

Great communities are shaped not only by what they build, but by what they create. Art, architecture and cultural institutions have the power to inspire curiosity, spark conversation and connect people across generations. In Colorado, creativity has long been woven into the state’s identity, enriching communities and helping define the experiences that make our cities and towns unique.

Few places demonstrate that creative spirit more clearly than the Denver Art Museum and the Clyfford Still Museum. Together, these institutions have helped establish Denver as one of the nation’s leading cultural destinations while preserving and celebrating artistic achievement for future generations. The Denver Art Museum’s Martin Building renovation and Sie Welcome Center transformed one of Colorado’s most beloved cultural landmarks, carefully restoring Gio Ponti’s architectural masterpiece while creating a more welcoming and accessible experience for visitors. Meanwhile, the Clyfford Still Museum provides a permanent home for one of the world’s most significant collections of abstract expressionist art, preserving the legacy of a groundbreaking artist whose work continues to influence generations of creatives.

What makes these projects remarkable is that they are works of art themselves. Through thoughtful architecture, carefully crafted spaces and a commitment to preserving cultural heritage, they create environments where people can experience creativity in meaningful ways. They remind us that the arts are not simply amenities — they are essential to a vibrant, thriving community. 

Colorado is Unyielding 

Colorado’s history is filled with stories of perseverance. From frontier settlements carved into an unforgiving landscape to communities that have weathered economic shifts, natural disasters and changing times, resilience has always been one of the state’s defining characteristics. It is a quality reflected not only in the people of Colorado, but also in the places that communities refuse to let fade away.

Few projects embody that spirit more clearly than Windsor Mill. Standing prominently in downtown Windsor, the historic grain mill has been a recognizable landmark for generations, serving as a symbol of the town’s agricultural roots and community identity. Its journey, however, has been marked by extraordinary challenges. The building endured a devastating fire in 1899, suffered significant damage from the 2008 Windsor tornado and remained vacant for years. Then, in 2017, another fire reduced much of the already fragile structure to ruin, placing its future in serious doubt.

For many communities, such setbacks might have marked the end of the story. Instead, Windsor chose a different path. Through determination, vision and a commitment to preserving an important piece of local history, the community rallied around the restoration effort. What emerged was not simply the rehabilitation of a historic structure, but the preservation of a landmark that continues to connect residents to their shared heritage.

Colorado is Neighborly 

At its core, Colorado has always been a place built on connection. From small mountain towns and agricultural communities to growing urban centers, the state’s success has been shaped by neighbors coming together to share ideas, build relationships and invest in the places they call home. While communities may continue to evolve, that spirit of connection remains one of Colorado’s defining characteristics. 

Few projects illustrate that spirit more clearly than the 9+CO Redevelopment in Denver. Once home to the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, the 26-acre site held decades of history and significance for the surrounding community. Rather than allowing the property to remain disconnected from the neighborhood around it, the redevelopment transformed the former campus into a vibrant mixed-use district designed to bring people together. Today, 9+CO is a place where residents can live, work, shop, dine and gather, creating new opportunities for connection while honoring the site’s role in Denver’s history.

What makes a great neighborhood is not simply the buildings within it, but the experiences it creates for the people who use it. Thoughtfully designed public spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets and a mix of uses encourage interaction, foster a sense of belonging and strengthen the fabric of a community. Through its emphasis on connectivity and placemaking, 9+CO demonstrates how redevelopment can create more than a destination — it can create a neighborhood.  

Colorado is Daring 

Colorado has never been afraid to think differently. From the prospectors and entrepreneurs who helped shape the state’s earliest communities to the innovators tackling today’s most complex challenges, Colorado’s history is defined by people willing to pursue bold ideas. Progress has often required looking beyond conventional solutions, embracing new technologies and imagining possibilities where others saw limitations.

That spirit of innovation is on full display at the National Western Center District Energy project in Denver. At the heart of the system is an unlikely resource: the city’s existing Delgany Interceptor, a 72-inch wastewater pipeline that now provides approximately 90% of the campus’s heating and cooling needs. By harnessing the thermal energy contained within wastewater, the project created the largest wastewater heat recovery system of its kind in the US, transforming a piece of critical infrastructure into a powerful tool for sustainability.

While the technology itself is remarkable, the project’s significance extends beyond engineering. The District Energy system serves as the backbone of the reimagined National Western Center, a campus dedicated to agriculture, education, research, culture and community engagement. By pairing one of Colorado’s oldest industries with one of its most forward-thinking energy solutions, the project demonstrated how innovation can honor tradition while preparing for the future.

Colorado is Enduring 

Some values transcend generations. Service, sacrifice and leadership are woven into the fabric of Colorado’s history, shaping communities, strengthening institutions and inspiring future generations. While the state has evolved dramatically over the past 150 years, these ideals have remained constant, reminding us that the most lasting legacies are often built through commitment to something greater than ourselves.

Two projects help tell that story: the Colorado Tribute to Veterans & Fallen Heroes Memorials and Wecker Hall at the United States Air Force Academy Foundation. Though different in purpose, both serve as enduring reminders of the people who dedicate their lives to serving our country.

The Colorado Tribute to Veterans and Colorado Fallen Heroes Memorial create a place for reflection, remembrance and gratitude, honoring the sacrifices of military service members while preserving their stories for future generations. Standing in Veterans Memorial Park outside of the State Capitol, these landmarks connect Colorado’s past to its present, ensuring that the courage and sacrifice of those who served are never forgotten.

Not far away, Wecker Hall reflects a similar commitment to service, but with a focus on the future. As the home of the Air Force Academy Foundation and the Association of Graduates, the facility supports organizations dedicated to developing and supporting cadets, alumni and future leaders of character. Designed to complement the Academy’s iconic architecture, the building serves as a place where leadership, education and philanthropy come together in support of the Academy’s enduring mission.

Colorado is Rooted

Long before Colorado became known for its mountain resorts, thriving cities and innovation-driven economy, it was defined by agriculture. Ranchers, farmers and livestock producers helped establish communities across the state, shaping both its economy and culture. While Colorado has evolved dramatically over the past 150 years, those agricultural roots remain an essential part of its identity, connecting generations through a shared appreciation for the land, livestock and traditions that helped build the West.

Few institutions embody that legacy more deeply than the National Western Stock Show. Since 1906, the Stock Show has served as a gathering place for Colorado’s agricultural community, celebrating the industries, people and traditions that continue to influence the state’s character. The Legacy, the world headquarters of the Western Stock Show Association, was created to honor that history while ensuring its continued relevance for future generations. Designed as a year-round destination, the building brings together cultural, educational, hospitality and administrative functions under one roof, creating a place where visitors can experience the story of Colorado agriculture in new and meaningful ways.

What makes The Legacy unique is its ability to bridge past and future. Historic artifacts, exhibits and gathering spaces celebrate more than a century of Stock Show tradition, while modern amenities and flexible programming create opportunities for education, engagement and community connection throughout the year. The building preserves the spirit of the National Western while expanding its impact far beyond the annual event.

Colorado is Shaping Tomorrow 

Over the course of 150 years, Colorado has grown from a young frontier state into a place known for its innovation, creativity, resilience and sense of community. Yet while the state has changed in countless ways, the qualities that define it have remained remarkably consistent. The same spirit that inspired entrepreneurs to build grand mountain hotels, artists to push creative boundaries, communities to preserve cherished landmarks, and innovators to pursue bold solutions continues to shape Colorado today.

As a locally-grown contractor, Saunders is privileged to create spaces that reflect the character of Colorado. While no single project can capture the entirety of the state’s story, each contributes to a larger narrative about who we are and what we value. Together, they represent a Colorado that is scenic, artistic, unyielding, neighborly, daring, enduring and rooted.

The story of Colorado is far from finished. New communities will emerge, new ideas will take shape and new generations will leave their mark on the landscapes, institutions and traditions that define our state. As Colorado celebrates its sesquicentennial, we are proud to have played a role in building places that honor the past, serve the present and help shape the future.