Future-proof: Construction boom hits Denver’s downtown

Editor’s note: Throughout the 2025–26 academic year, RED’s Future-proof series will focus on real-world outcomes, community needs and the critical role public universities play in preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow.

Start looking for cranes on the skyline — a massive building boom is coming to downtown Denver.

Following a couple of quiet years for the local construction industry, city officials and corporations recently announced a slew of ambitious projects that will transform Denver.

That will also mean more local jobs. And through Metropolitan State University of Denver’s new Construction Project Management degree and Real Estate degree courses, future graduates are already rolling up their sleeves in anticipation.

The list of upcoming projects is broad and ambitious, and includes landmark projects on the Auraria campus:

• The 12-story Summit House, MSU Denver’s first student residence.
• The Living and Learning Hub, a second 12-story building that will provide workforce housing and contain the Auraria Early Learning Center.
• The Gina and Frank Day Health Institute, which will house learning space for nursing, social work and other health professions students.

Central to the area’s transformation is the city of Denver’s plan to pump $100 million into 10 projects designed to bring people back downtown.

“This funding is intended to revitalize the whole downtown area and boost economic growth,” said Jeffrey J. Peshut, J.D., assistant professor of Finance at MSU Denver and a real estate expert. “The plan includes converting old office buildings into apartments, improving local parks and supporting small businesses.”

But that’s just the beginning. The Denver Broncos appear set to build a massive new stadium and entertainment district in the historic Burnham Yard neighborhood, while plans are already underway to develop residential and commercial buildings at the Broncos’ current Empower Field site. Denver Summit FC, the city’s new women’s soccer team, also will see a custom-designed stadium rise at Santa Fe Yards.

While Ball Arena — home to the Colorado Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets — will remain untouched, a planned  aims to transform its surrounding neighborhood. The group that comprises the River Mile project, which is led by Avalanche and Nuggets owner Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, will spend $100 million on a 62-acre commercial and residential development it promises will reinvigorate the South Platte River and its surrounding area.

New investment

With hundreds of millions of dollars being invested in the Denver Metro area, construction managers are going to be in high demand.

In Colorado, the construction sector is expected to grow by 26% between 2020 and 2030. Nationally, around 46,800 new construction manager openings are projected each year over the decade. And the median pay for the role — $106,980 — only looks set to grow.

One person watching all this new investment with enthusiasm is Bill Canterbury, affiliate professor in the Engineering and Engineering Technology department at MSU Denver. Canterbury teaches in the Construction Project Management program and knows these massive projects are good news for his students, especially because the degree’s focus on live, in-the-field experience makes them eminently employable.

“While the construction degree provides a great classroom introduction to the whole toolbox of management skills, MSU Denver also benefits from being located close to many leading engineer, architect and contractor headquarters,” he said.

“That creates incredible internship opportunities for our students, who get to work on some of the largest projects in the area, some of them incorporating billions of dollars.”

Matt Molloy, a Construction Management senior who will graduate in December, says his classroom studies have given him a “great foundation of knowledge” but said the internship opportunities are the secret sauce of the degree.

He recently spent three months as a project engineer intern with Bristlecone Construction, which is building a 128-room hotel in Denver’s RiNo Art District.

“It gave me so much insight into construction operations, plus the roles and responsibilities of each member of a project team,” Molloy said. “I’m much more confident now speaking to recruiters and industry professionals, because I’ve already developed this valuable set of skills that will serve me throughout my career.”

Property deals

Once Denver’s major construction projects are completed, someone will have to manage the complex sales and ownership process, which is where MSU Denver’s Real Estate degree could come in.

“Residential Realtors in Colorado can probably get by with a real estate broker’s license,” Peshut said. “But if someone’s career objective lies in commercial real estate, property management, lending or property development, having a real estate degree puts them at a huge competitive advantage.”

As with the Construction Management course, the Real Estate degree places a heavy focus on real-world skills and field experience.

“What we offer goes way beyond a classroom education, so our students can develop the kind of talents and marketable skills that the industry is seeking,” Peshut said. “The idea is that our students leave us on graduation day as fully rounded professionals with deep industry connections.”

Great prospects

Although Matt Molloy is just starting out on his career, he is similarly eager about the simple lure of building big things.

“I’m both excited to get to work and feeling great about my prospects,” he said. “There’s a real need for construction managers right now — our skills are in high demand — so I’m confident that I can build a rewarding career and add real value to projects.”

And if someone were considering following his career path, would he have any words of wisdom?

“Here’s what I know,” Molloy said. “The Construction Project Management degree at MSU Denver is first class. Its students are highly valued by local industries. And there are a lot of great networking opportunities out there.”

Learn more about MSU Denver’s Construction Project Management and Real Estate degree programs.