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50th Anniversary - Gala

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ACEC/CO Marks 50th Anniversary with Fundraising to Support Restoration of Denver Botanic Gardens Structure

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado (ACEC/CO) hosted its 50th Anniversary gala with presenting sponsor CH2M HILL on Thursday, June 15, 2006 to celebrate the role engineers have played in building Colorado. This year's event featured a fund-raising component for the first time to help to restore one of Colorado's most uniquely engineered landmarks - the Edna C. and Claude K. Boettcher Tropical Conservatory at Denver Botanic Gardens.

Last year ACEC/CO recognized the Boettcher Tropical Conservatory as one of Colorado's most notable buildings. The buildings selected were deemed the most remarkable vertical structures in Colorado based on engineering innovations since the 1950s.

Built more than 40 years ago, the conservatory's distinctive concrete, lattice-vaulted shell was engineered by Robert S. Nedell, using a cast-in-place concrete for its cost-effectiveness and maintenance-free characteristics. The use of concrete, combined with individually pre-formed Plexiglas panes, was groundbreaking in the 1960s and met both the functional and aesthetic qualities the project required. This Colorado landmark is now showing signs of aging and is in need of restoration according to an infrastructure assessment conducted by David Owen Tryba Architects in collaboration with Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers.

According to this report "the Boettcher Tropical Conservatory is structurally sound. However, the challenges of the program have put undo stress on all the building systems. Signs of accelerated deterioration are evidenced in the structural, mechanical, roofing, plumbing and electrical systems of the building and adjacent structures."

"Holding a fund-raising event is new to our organization, but we wanted to celebrate our 50-year anniversary in a meaningful way," said Sandy Donnel, executive director of ACEC/CO. "Engineers have a major role in all infrastructure - from roadways, to water supply, to safe buildings - all of which greatly impact quality of life in Colorado.

"The opportunity for us to celebrate what we do and, at the same time, help to restore a Colorado landmark that showcases an engineering innovation, is rewarding," she added.

The collaboration ACEC/CO has established with the Denver Botanic Gardens is unique, according to Betsy Cheroutes, director of development and membership at the Gardens. "This is the first time that an organization not affiliated with the Gardens has held an event and contributed proceeds back to support our institution," said Cheroutes. "This is an innovative approach and we are grateful for the engineering council's support."

The Sponsors of the ACEC/CO 50th Anniversary Gala were:
Presenting Sponsor - CH2M HILL
Grand Sponsor - Merrick & Company         

Supporting Sponsors: 
Foos Financial Group
Hepworth-Pawlak Geotechnical, Inc.                    
Kleinfelder, Inc.
Martin/Martin, Inc.
MKK Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Monroe & Newell Engineers, Inc.
Van Gilder Insurance Corporation 

Event Sponsors:
Ayres  Associates
ASCG Incorporated of Colorado
BCER Engineering, Inc.
Cator Ruma & Associates, Co.
CTC-Geoteck, Inc.
CTL/Thompson, Inc.
Dalco Industries
DMJM + Harris
Felsburg Holt & Ullevig
Kumar & Associates, Inc.
Leonard Rice Engineers, Inc.
The RMH Group, Inc.
S E H, Inc.
Shannon & Wilson, Inc.
Structural Consultants, Inc.
Sturgeon Electric, Inc.
Wright Water Engineers, Inc.