Schedule of Events

7:30 am - 9:00 am
Safety Awards Breakfast: Honoring Excellence in Safety

Speaker: Terry Kish

The annual Safety Awards Breakfast is just around the corner, bringing together industry leaders, safety professionals, and innovators to celebrate exceptional achievements in workplace safety. This year’s event will honor the winners of the NASA Safety Awards, the Traveling Safety Awards, and the Lifesaving Award, recognizing their dedication to creating and maintaining safer environments.

We are also thrilled to welcome Terry Kish, Retired Director of Safety and Training, as our keynote speaker. With over 33 years of experience as the Director of Safety and Workforce Development for the Colorado Contractors Association (CCA), Terry has played a pivotal role in advancing safety standards and workforce development initiatives across the state.

During his tenure, Terry spearheaded statewide human resource development programs for CCA members, focusing on maximizing workforce potential through training, apprenticeship, safety, and loss control initiatives. His leadership has left a lasting impact on the industry, and we are honored to have him share insights on the importance of safety awards and their role in fostering a culture of safety and excellence.

Join us at the Safety Awards Breakfast as we celebrate the individuals and organizations who go above and beyond to prioritize safety. It’s an opportunity to acknowledge their contributions, learn from their successes, and continue advancing safety across all industries.

9:15 am - 10:15 am
The Business Case for Mental Health:  Why the C-Suite Must Prioritize Mental Health in the Construction Industry"

Speaker: Tadd Lindsay

Building Strong Foundations: The Critical Need to Prioritize Mental Health in Construction, highlights the pressing importance of mental health within the construction industry. It begins with an introduction underscoring the often-overlooked mental health struggles faced by workers in this tough, high-pressure field. The presentation delves into the scope of mental health issues in construction, presenting alarming statistics, such as the significantly higher suicide rates among construction workers. It then explores the unique challenges workers face, including job insecurity, high physical demands, and a culture of stigma that discourages seeking help. The impact of poor mental health is explored through its consequences on safety, productivity, and overall workplace morale. The presentation emphasizes the critical role of leadership in changing the industry’s approach to mental health, offering strategies for fostering a supportive culture, providing resources, and attracting younger workers who

9:15 am - 10:15 am
Heavy Civil Student Competition

Sponsored by:




Students from Colorado's top universities are set to showcase their innovative proposals in an exciting event that brings academia and real-world problem-solving together. Teams will present their ideas to a panel of industry judges, addressing critical questions and defending their strategies.

This platform not only highlights the ingenuity and dedication of these future leaders but also fosters collaboration, creativity, and healthy competition among some of the brightest minds in the state. Whether tackling challenges in technology, sustainability, or social innovation, these proposals promise to inspire and pave the way for impactful solutions.

10:30 am - 11:30 am
Rethinking Stress:  Making Construction Fun Again

Speaker: Amy Powell

Construction is an inherently essential and rewarding industry. But it is also fast-paced, high-pressure, and high-risk, which lends to higher stress levels experienced by those who work within the industry. Join Well Works Founder and Owner Amy Powell to dig further into what stress is, the underlying sources for most stress in construction, and how simply rethinking stress can make construction more enjoyable, fulfilling, and fun, improving our overall health and well-being.

11:30 am - 1:00pm
Industry Luncheon - Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Turning Adversity to Advantage

Speaker: Aron Ralston

Aron Ralston's extraordinary story of survival after an 800-pound boulder trapped him in a remote Utah canyon captured global headlines in 2003. In his New York Times best seller, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, the Oscar-nominated film, 127 Hours, and on stage, Ralston takes audiences vicariously through those six days without water, means of communication, or hope of escape, to the ecstatic moments when he freed himself by severing his own arm. 

"You know me as the guy who cut his arm off. But this is the story of the guy who was smiling when he cut his arm off," explains Aron Ralston, who faced 6 days of unimaginable adversity with surprising gratitude. An extraordinary example of the human spirit pushed to the extreme, Aron's legendary tale of survival and post-traumatic growth personifies resilience, perseverance, and the power of our minds.

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Workforce Panel Discussion

Moderator: Bryan Cook
The panel discussion, "Building Your Workforce to Succeed Now and Into the Future," will be a dynamic exploration of strategies for preparing and attracting a skilled infrastructure construction workforce in Colorado. Led by Bryan Cook, Executive Director of the Construction Workforce Foundation of Colorado, this session will feature a diverse group of experts offering insights into addressing current workforce challenges while planning for future demands. Attendees will gain practical strategies to develop talent pipelines, foster workforce diversity, and adapt to the evolving needs of the construction industry, ensuring Colorado's infrastructure workforce remains resilient and competitive.

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Associate All Member Business Meeting

The Annual Business Meeting, led by CCA Associate Chairman Anne Lawrence, serves as a key moment for collaboration and reflection within the Associate Council. Open to all Associate Members, this session highlights the achievements of the past year, provides updates on important initiatives, and sets the stage for future goals. It's more than just a meeting—it's an opportunity to contribute ideas, share perspectives, and strengthen the collective vision of the council. Your voice matters, and your participation is instrumental in shaping the direction of our association. We look forward to welcoming you to this important event.

 

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
ELC Business Meeting

The Annual Business Meeting, led by ELC Chairman Haylee Ellrich, is an important event for all Emerging Leaders. During this gathering, the ELC Steering Committee will present a comprehensive year-in-review, highlighting the achievements and progress made over the past year. This meeting serves as a platform for reflection, discussion, and inspiration as we look ahead to future opportunities. Your attendance is highly encouraged to stay informed, celebrate accomplishments, and contribute to the ongoing success of the Emerging Leaders community. We look forward to seeing you there! 

 

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
CCA All Member Annual Business Meeting

  1. Election of CCA Officers:  Members will vote to elect new CCA officers for the upcoming term. This is an opportunity to participate in shaping the leadership of the association.
  2. State of the Association 2025 Report:  The association's leadership will provide a comprehensive update on the current status, financial health, and key initiatives. This includes a look back at achievements and the vision for the coming year.
  3. Topics of Interest:  Discussion on various topics that are relevant to the membership. This may include new industry trends, upcoming events, or any changes in regulations that could impact the members.

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Happy Hour

Join us for a relaxing and fun-filled happy hour, where you can unwind with drinks and great conversation. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with friends, colleagues, and new acquaintances in a casual, vibrant setting. Whether you're looking to network or simply enjoy a well-deserved break, our happy hour is the place to be. Come for the drinks, stay for the conversation!

6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Chairman's Gala Dinner

Join outgoing CCA Chairman Trent Irick and the CCA Board of Directors as we come together to celebrate and honor this year’s inductees into the CCA Construction Pioneers Hall of Fame. This special event provides an opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements of individuals who have shaped the construction industry through their leadership, innovation, and dedication. It promises to be an evening of reflection, appreciation, and inspiration as we acknowledge the legacy of these trailblazers and their impact on the industry’s growth and success.