Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain celebrated the grand opening of the new Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center on June 30. The event was emceed by John Register, Paralympic silver medalist and combat veteran, and included remarks by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers.

The new visitor center replaces a 56-year-old building at the top of Pikes Peak, which attracts up to 600,000 visitors a year. Located at nearly 14,000 ft, it is the highest visitor center in the U.S. and offers interpretive exhibits, improved kitchen and dining facilities, retail space and expanded restroom facilities. Interpretive outdoor exhibits were added along an accessible, elevated pathway, which was designed to help protect the summit’s fragile tundra.

Baltimore-based GWWO Architects served as project design architect, and the architect-of-record was Colorado Springs’ RTA Architects. General contractor GE Johnson broke ground on the 38,000-sq-ft building in June 2018.

Photo courtesy of DIA

Denver International Airport recently launched the second phase of work on its Great Hall project. On July 7, former airport Chief Executive Officer Kim Day was joined by Alan Salazar, chief of staff for Mayor Michael B. Hancock; TSA Federal Security Director for Colorado Larry Nau; and Hensel Phelps Vice President and District Manager Derek Hoffine for the Phase 2 groundbreaking. 

Phase 2 builds a new security checkpoint on Level 6 in the northwest corner of Jeppesen Terminal, which will create a future opportunity to activate the vacated south security space on Level 5 with new concessions and improved amenities. Phase 2 work will take place concurrently with work on Phase 1 to complete new ticketing areas for United and Southwest Airlines and improve passenger flow on Level 6. Hensel Phelps is the contractor for both phases of the Great Hall Project.