The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had improved slightly in July, plummeted in August. The index now stands at 44.5 (1985=100), down from 59.2 in July. The Present Situation Index decreased to 33.3 from 35.7. The Expectations Index decreased to 51.9 from 74.9 in July. Consumers’ appraisal of present-day conditions weakened further in August. Consumers claiming business conditions are “bad” increased to 40.6% from 38.7%, while those claiming business conditions are “good” inched up to 13.7% from 13.5%. Consumers’ assessment of employment conditions was more pessimistic than last month. Those claiming jobs are “hard to get” increased to 49.1%
Denver drivers frustrated with long commutes along the U.S. 36 corridor between Boulder and Denver could get some relief after federal transportation officials finalized a $54-million loan in early September that will add nearly 10 miles of express lanes and other improvements between Pecos Street and the Interlocken Loop. The loan represents the final finance piece for the $306-million project scheduled to begin construction next spring. Representatives from the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, and the High Performance Transportation Enterprise signed the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan, which carries a 3.58% interest rate and must
There are two types of warranties: express and implied. Express warranties are those found in documents such as contracts, product warranties that come with the products, or may even be warranties made verbally by one of the parties to a contract or purchase.Implied warranties are warranties created by the law, by legislation or by the courts. For example, Colorado appellate courts have established that homebuilders impliedly warrant that their houses be habitable. That means that they can be conveniently occupied for residential use.In the construction industry, one of the most prominent implied warranties is that owners who provide plans and
The amount contractors pay for a range of key construction materials declined in August, but contractors continue to be squeezed as materials cost increases have outstripped the price of finished buildings over the past year, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released recently by the Associated General Contractors of America. “The disparity between contractors’ materials costs and their selling prices threatens to push some firms and their hard-pressed workers out of business,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Contractors just aren’t catching any breaks when it comes to current market conditions.”Simonson noted that the monthly decrease
Construction professionals from throughout Wyoming congregated in Casper this summer for Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Wyoming meetings and events. Photo courtesy of ABC Wyoming ABC of Wyoming golf tournament winning team was, left to right, Billy Brewer and Cayde Johnson with Groathouse Construction, Laramie/Cody/Casper; and Ray Drzymala, MOA Architecture. The annual summer event kicked off with the first annual ABC Wyoming Cup golf tournament at the Paradise Valley Country Club. The ABC Cup exceeded expectations with more than 90 players participating in the tournament. Top honors went to the Groathouse Construction/MOA Architecture team. Teams from AP Wyoming
Denver’s new 60,000-sq-ft Police Crime Laboratory celebrated its topping out in early September. The $36-million facility will replace the city’s existing 14,000-sq-ft lab, currently housed in the Police Administration Building. Courtesy of City and County of Denver The building features three levels of lab and office space and will connect to the Police Administration Complex at 14th Avenue between Cherokee and Delaware streets. With the additional 46,000 sq ft, the Denver Police Dept. can offer improved forensic and evidence-handling resources to scientists and investigators. The building features three levels of lab and office space and will connect to the Police
Denver’s Roth Sheppard Architects is launching seven new law enforcement and municipal projects to be completed over the next 18 months. Rendering courtesy of Roth Sheppard Architects Museum and Learning Center for the Colorado State Patrol The firm’s new projects include the city of Cherry Hills Village and South Metro Fire Rescue Authority’s Joint Public Safety Facility, the Arapahoe County Justice Center lobby expansion, a museum and learning center for the Colorado State Patrol, the Houston Police Department’s Fondren Station, a services building for the Erie Police Department, a public safety complex in Northern Chafee County and the town of
The downtown office of Denver-based SLATERPAULL Architects, located in historic Denver fire station Engine House No.5, has been named as the first LEED-Platinum historic building in Colorado. SLATERPAULL designed a renovation and adaptive reuse of Engine House No. 5. Photo courtesy of SLATER PAULL Architects Custom, true-divided light, steel windows with high-performance glazing have been installed in an effort to lower energy costs and increase energy efficiency throughout the historic building. Denver Public Library Collection photo, Courtesy of SLATER PAULL Architects Located at 19th and Market streets in Denver, Engine House No. 5 was originally built in 1922. “We are
Capping a yearlong effort to ensure efficiency and sustainability in planning, construction and operation, Alta Aspen Grove apartment community received LEED-Silver certification during a ceremony in early September. Photo by Elevate Photograhy, courtesy of Wood Partners High-end amenities include double-sided gas fireplaces in select homes, nine-ft ceilings and crown molding, walk-in closets and granite counter tops. The 280-unit luxury apartment complex officially opened its doors in mid-June in Littleton, Colo., just west of Denver.Located on 17.5 acres at 7317 South Platte River Parkway, Alta Aspen Grove is adjacent to a nature preserve, a bicycle greenway path and a light rail
A project to improve the US. 160 interchange to Mesa Verde National Park, as well as the U.S. 160 corridor that services the area, is getting a substantial boost with federal funding. The U.S. 160 Mesa Verde Interchange Resurfacing and Improvement Project is set to receive $4.6 million in Public Lands Highway Discretionary Funds from the Federal Highway Administration. The FHWA awards the funds through a nationwide competitive process. The project is a high priority for the region, due to the highway’s poor condition and increased traffic in national park users.The project has been listed in CDOT’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program