Leveraging The CM/GC Project Delivery Approach for Remote High Elevation Dam Rehabilitation Projects In Colorado-Video

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Video Summary

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) described its qualifications-based Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) approach, which brings the contractor into dam project design around 60% completion. The integrated team—owner, designer, contractor, independent cost estimator, and stakeholders—collaborates on constructability, cost estimates, value engineering, risk mitigation, and scheduling.<br /><br />The approach was used on North Michigan Creek and Alberta Park dams, both high-elevation projects with short construction seasons. Early procurement, risk planning, and field collaboration helped complete both projects in a single season, under budget and on schedule, with no claims or change orders. At Alberta Park, replacing a planned clay liner with a geosynthetic clay liner avoided hauling material to the site, saving an estimated $500,000 and six weeks.<br /><br />Speakers emphasized that CMGC requires more owner involvement and firm milestone management; pre-construction costs may add 1–2% of construction value. They recommended the method as an effective alternative to low-bid design-bid-build for suitable projects.

Keywords

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Construction Manager/General Contractor

dam project design

value engineering

risk mitigation

geosynthetic clay liner