Denver Sales Trip Intelligence

Denver/Aurora, Colorado
February 3-7, 2026
Jackie Nolan
Welding Automation & Data Center Infrastructure

Executive Summary

Denver is experiencing a data center construction boom with 200% projected growth along the I-25 corridor. RK Industries is adding 1,786 jobs and opening a 154,488 sq ft facility. Two hyperscale projects (CoreSite DE3 and QTS Aurora) represent $2B+ in active construction. Strong signals across confirmed meetings and 8 high-probability new prospects identified.

$2.1B
Active Projects
10
Target Companies
89%
Top Win Probability
1,786
Jobs (RK Industries)

Confirmed Meetings

RK Industries / RK Mechanical
Win Score: 87%
Business Units
7 Divisions (Steel, Mechanical, Mission Critical)
Locations
Denver HQ, Henderson, Aurora, Eagle-Vail
Revenue
$1B+ (Colorado's largest private employers)
Timing Window
Next 30 days (expansion planning phase)
Jon Kinning
Chief Operating Officer
Scott Mitchell
VP Manufacturing (RK Mission Critical) • Six Sigma Master Black Belt
Jesse Davern
VP Commercial Services (RK Mission Critical)
Main Line
303.355.9696 • sales@rkindustries.com
MAJOR CATALYST: September 2025 announcement of 154,488 sq ft Aurora HQ expansion creating 1,786 jobs over 8 years. Colorado's highest Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit approval for 2025 ($1B+ economic impact).
Active Signals (4)
Expansion
New 154,488 sq ft facility in Aurora - equipment purchasing window open
Hiring
Active hiring: Shop Riggout Welders, Structural Fabricators, Product Managers
Capacity
RK Mission Critical manufactures modular data centers - scaling production
Leadership
Scott Mitchell (VP Mfg) is Six Sigma Master Black Belt - automation receptive
Key Insights

Aurora expansion creates equipment purchasing window. Scott Mitchell's Six Sigma background indicates receptiveness to automation ROI discussion. RK Mission Critical's modular data center production scaling requires precision welding at volume.

MTech Mechanical
Win Score: 82%
Type
Design-Build Mechanical Contractor
Locations
Westminster (HQ), Eagle, Loveland, Colorado Springs
Specialization
Prefabrication, HVAC, Process Piping
Timing Window
Next 45 days (project pipeline building)
Main Office
12300 Pecos Street, Westminster, CO 80234
Phone
303.650.4000
HVAC Service
303.650.2882
Plumbing Service
303.393.7271
Active Signals (3)
Hiring
Learning & Development Specialist hire - scaling workforce
Project
Completed UC Anschutz Medical Campus (3-floor Fitzsimons Building)
Engineering
In-house Professional Engineers - technical decision-makers on staff
Key Insights

Design-build model with in-house Professional Engineers provides direct technical decision-makers. Prefabrication focus indicates value engineering receptiveness. Recent UC Anschutz project completion demonstrates complex institutional work capability.

High-Priority New Prospects

DPR Construction (CoreSite DE3 Project)
Win Score: 91%
Project
CoreSite DE3 Data Center (180,000 sq ft, 18 CMW)
Location
4900 Race Street, Denver (Elyria-Swansea)
Status
Active Construction - Topping Out Complete Oct 2025
Timing Window
URGENT - Next 15 days (MEP phase starting)
Scott Miller
Denver Office Leadership
Tom Maples
Project Executive
DPR Denver
50+ years Colorado experience
Project Partners
Schneider Electric, Power Distribution Systems, Power Systems West
TIME-SENSITIVE: Topping-out ceremony completed October 2025. Interior/MEP work happening now. First CoreSite purpose-built facility in Denver in 20 years. Total campus: 3 buildings, 590,000 sq ft, 60 CMW.
Active Signals (3)
Project
$200M+ project - prefab/modular construction expertise required
Expansion
Campus expansion planned - 2 more buildings after DE3 completion
Portfolio
DPR builds Meta data centers nationally - enterprise relationship potential
Key Insights

Time-sensitive opportunity - MEP phase starting immediately. First CoreSite purpose-built facility in Denver in 20 years signals major market entry. Campus expansion (2 more buildings) provides long-term relationship potential. DPR's Meta data center portfolio nationally indicates enterprise-scale opportunity.

QTS Realty Trust / Holder Construction
Win Score: 85%
Project Value
$1B+ Hyperscale Campus
Capacity
177 MW (Xcel's largest customer)
Steel Scope
2,713 tons (TWI Erectors)
Timing Window
Next 30 days (fabrication phase)
Holder Construction
General Contractor
TWI Erectors
Steel Erection (2,713 tons scope)
Wells Concrete
Prefab Systems Partner
QTS Aurora
1160 N. Gun Club Rd, Aurora
FABRICATION OPPORTUNITY: 2,713 tons of steel fabrication (TWI Erectors). 347,000 sq ft of decking. First QTS facility in Colorado. 400-600 construction workers during build.
Active Signals (3)
Construction
Active construction - massive steel fabrication scope underway
Expansion
65-acre campus - future phase expansion potential
Workforce
400-600 workers during build - automation addresses labor constraints
Key Insights

Dual approach opportunity: Holder Construction for GC relationship and future projects, TWI Erectors for direct steel fabrication automation. 65-acre campus provides expansion runway. First QTS facility in Colorado signals long-term market commitment. 400-600 construction workers highlights labor constraint automation can address.

Secondary Prospects (Worth Outreach)

Company Win Score Key Signal Timing
Flexential 76% 5th Denver data center - pre-leasing for 2026 60 days
Power Distribution Systems 71% CoreSite DE3 electrical partner 45 days
TWI Erectors 73% QTS steel erection - 2,713 tons scope 30 days
Wells Concrete 68% QTS prefab systems partner 60 days

Market Intelligence

Data Center Growth
200% increase projected (I-25 corridor)
Current Infrastructure
60 facilities statewide, 49 in Denver metro
Power Demand
8.5 GW by 2040 (Xcel Energy projection)
Legislative Support
Senate Bill 24-085 tax rebates (FY 2026-2033)

Competitive Landscape: Loenbro is aggressively consolidating through M&A (acquired Weifield Group July 2025, Stewart Electric April 2025). Counter-position: specialized automation expertise vs. commoditized volume services.

Automation Adoption: 40% increase in robotic welding adoption nationwide. 60%+ of manufacturers now using automated setups. Modular/prefab construction demand accelerating for data center projects.

Strategic Priorities

  1. DPR Construction / CoreSite DE3: Time-sensitive opportunity with MEP phase starting immediately. Campus expansion potential (2 additional buildings). National Meta data center portfolio relationship opportunity through Denver office.
  2. RK Industries Aurora Expansion: Equipment purchasing window open for 154,488 sq ft facility. Scott Mitchell (VP Mfg, Six Sigma Master Black Belt) as technical decision-maker. RK Mission Critical modular data center production scaling requirements.
  3. QTS Aurora / Holder Construction: Dual-track approach for GC relationship and direct steel fabrication. 2,713 tons scope through TWI Erectors. 65-acre campus expansion potential.
  4. MTech Mechanical: In-house Professional Engineers provide direct technical access. Design-build model indicates value engineering focus. Recent institutional project completion demonstrates capability.
  5. Secondary Prospects: Flexential (5th facility, local HQ), Power Distribution Systems (CoreSite partner), TWI Erectors (steel fabrication automation), Wells Concrete (prefab synergy).

Market Themes

Data Center Infrastructure Boom

Denver I-25 corridor experiencing 200% growth projection. Mission-critical facilities require AWS D1.1 compliance and accelerated timelines. Modular prefab construction becoming industry standard, creating precision welding volume requirements.

Workforce Constraints

RK Industries adding 1,786 employees, QTS requiring 400-600 construction workers. Skilled welder shortage driving automation adoption. Focus on output multiplication rather than replacement narrative.

Competitive Landscape

Loenbro consolidating through M&A (Weifield Group July 2025, Stewart Electric April 2025). Position: specialized automation expertise vs. volume service consolidation. Differentiation on precision engineering for mission-critical applications.

Generated by Novarc Intelligence Platform

Trip Intelligence Report • February 12, 2026 • Denver/Aurora Market

Confidential - Internal Use Only