Colorado Laser Research Facility

Colorado State University and McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. have reached a major milestone in the construction of the Advanced Technology Lasers for Applications and Science (ATLAS) Facility, celebrating the placement of the final structural steel beam – called “topping-out” – on the CSU Foothills Campus.

This marks completion of the structural steel system for the two-story, 77,626-square-foot facility, which will house three of the most powerful laser systems in the world and position CSU at the forefront of next-generation laser science.

“McCarthy’s Colorado team is proud to partner with CSU, Marvel Fusion, Tetrad and SWBR, whose contributions have been instrumental in bringing this groundbreaking facility to life,” says Tyler Richardson, senior vice president and business unit leader for Colorado at McCarthy. “It represents a major step forward for the university and the broader scientific community.”

The milestone caps a complex structural phase involving 590 tons of steel installed across five sequences and an extensive foundation and concrete effort that included 7,355 cubic yards of concrete.

With the structural frame complete, construction will move into enclosure, mechanical and electrical systems installation and the specialized interior buildout required for cleanroom and laboratory environments. The ATLAS Facility remains on track for substantial completion in December 2026.

Learn more about this milestone in Engineering News-Record.