Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, CDC Grant Remodel

From its facility in Denver, Colorado, the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Laboratory Services Division performs specialized lab services critical to protecting public health and the environment throughout the state.

After receiving a $15.6 million grant from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2021, the CDPHE broke ground on a multi-phase renovation and expansion of the State Public Laboratory to address the facility’s aging infrastructure and underused space.

McCarthy led the largest portion of the overarching remodel, sequencing work across more than 10 phases to expand and modernize approximately 24,000 square feet of interior space and keep critical lab functions online. Throughout the project, the McCarthy team renovated and expanded approximately:

• 11,400 square feet of office and collaboration spaces.
• 12,500 square feet of Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) 
  and Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories (high containment lab suites).

The team also installed a dedicated rooftop mechanical penthouse for the BSL-3 suite, with specialized heat, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); steam; humidification; and controls systems compliant with National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and CDC biosafety standards.

Extensive coordination around existing utilities, helical pier foundations threaded between underground utilities, and rigorous commissioning and containment testing enabled CDPHE scientists to continue operating in labs next to the construction areas. McCarthy also coordinated with CDPHE and the design team on a phased-occupancy plan to bring new labs online quickly   and avoid interruptions to CDPHE’s public health services.

In 1971, the United States government commissioned the building as a training facility for the U.S. Air Force. Upon acquiring the property in 1995, the state of Colorado converted the building into a dedicated laboratory space. At that time, the converted space served its purpose. As years passed, however, Colorado’s growing population, new regulations, emerging pathogens and environmental factors highlighted gaps in the facility’s capacity to efficiently adopt operational changes and manage program growth. If not addressed, such gaps risk the integrity of essential laboratory work, such as:

• Water and wastewater testing
• Lab certification
• Food testing
• Clinical testing for microorganisms 
  and infectious diseases
• Cannabis inspection and certification

With the backing of a CDC grant and McCarthy’s construction management, the CDPHE completed renovations on an accelerated timeline. Now, reinforced with modern mechanical systems and functional workspaces, the State Public Laboratory is equipped to meet Colorado’s immediate public health and environmental needs and positioned for frictionless future program growth.