Project Overview
Mortenson partnered with the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) and Tetra Tech to deliver a permanent domestic water, fire protection, and wastewater system for the Flatirons Campus, the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for critical minerals, energy innovation, and energy security.
The project replaced trucked-in water deliveries with a resilient, code-compliant utility system that supports current campus operations, enables future expansion, and strengthens long-term research infrastructure.
Key Takeaways:
- Replaced temporary water with a permanent campus-wide water system.
- Installed 16,700 linear feet (more than three miles) of raw water transmission pipeline.
- Delivered domestic water treatment capacity of 4,968 gallons per day with expansion capability to 9,360 gallons per day.
- Constructed 13,200 gallons of domestic water storage capacity through two 6,600-gallon tanks.
- Delivered 560,000 gallons of fire water storage through two 280,000-gallon tanks.
- Increased available fire water capacity by approximately 500,000 gallons compared to previous campus conditions.
- Upgraded fire protection infrastructure with a new 1,500-gpm fire pump system.
- Coordinated protected-land crossings with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Reduced environmental impacts through slip-line installation within an existing pipeline corridor.
- Completed a four-week ultrafiltration startup process followed by two weeks of commissioning and water-quality optimization.
- Delivery Method
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General Contractor
- Additional Project Facts
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Completion Date: 2026
Cost: $26,000,000 Total Design and Construction
Contract Value: $18,142,309
Owner: National Laboratory of the Rockies
Project Type: New Infrastructure Construction
Delivering Critical Infrastructure for a Growing Research Campus
NLR's Flatirons Campus serves the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for critical minerals, energy innovation, and energy security.
As research programs, staffing, and facilities expanded, the campus's dependence on trucked-in water created operational limitations and constrained future growth.
Mortenson worked with NLR and Tetra Tech to create a long-term infrastructure solution capable of supporting the campus's evolving mission. The completed system provides reliable domestic water service, enhanced fire protection, and wastewater infrastructure while establishing capacity for future development.
Engineering a Long-Term Water Supply Solution
The project included construction of a new pump house, a domestic water treatment facility, domestic and fire water storage systems, fire suppression upgrades, and associated civil, electrical, and wastewater infrastructure improvements. More than 16,700 feet of raw water pipeline connects Smart Reservoir to the Flatirons Campus, creating a permanent water source to support operations and future expansion.
The treatment system was designed to support both near-term campus needs and future growth, providing:
- 4,968 gallons per day near-term treatment capacity
- 9,360 gallons per day future treatment capacity
- 13,200 gallons of domestic water storage
- 560,000 gallons of fire water storage
This infrastructure significantly strengthens campus reliability while providing the utility backbone needed for future research and facility investments
Enhancing Campus Reliability and Fire Protection
Prior to the project, available fire protection infrastructure limited future development opportunities. The new system more than doubles the code-required fire water capacity by providing two 280,000-gallon fire water storage tanks and approximately 500,000 additional gallons of available fire water storage compared to previous campus conditions.
The project also introduced a new 1,500-gallon-per-minute fire pump system, improving emergency response capabilities and positioning the campus for future code-compliant expansion.
The successful commissioning of the Flatirons Campus Water System represents an important milestone for our campus and research operations. This project provides the reliable infrastructure needed to support both our current work and future growth, ensuring researchers have the resources necessary to continue advancing energy innovation.
Managing Environmental and Site Constraints
The project required extensive coordination with regulatory agencies and stakeholders to navigate sensitive environmental conditions surrounding the campus.
To complete protected-land crossings, the team coordinated closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on permitting and construction requirements. Mortenson's contractor utilized slip-line installation within an existing pipe corridor to minimize environmental disturbance and reduce impacts to surrounding habitat.
Additional challenges included asbestos abatement activities adjacent to a Denver Water canal, requiring careful planning and execution to maintain safety and compliance throughout construction.
Commissioning a Complex Treatment System
Bringing the system online required a comprehensive startup, testing, and commissioning effort.
The ultrafiltration system manufacturer's startup process spanned four weeks and was followed by two additional weeks of commissioning, operational adjustments, and water-quality verification. These activities ensured the treatment system met performance requirements and delivered reliable, high-quality water before final turnover.
With commissioning complete, the Flatirons Campus has transitioned from temporary water deliveries to a permanent, fully operational utility system capable of supporting both current operations and future growth.
What This Project Demonstrates
The NLR Flatirons Campus Water System showcases Mortenson's ability to deliver complex infrastructure projects in environmentally sensitive and operationally critical environments. Through collaborative delivery with NLR and Tetra Tech, the team successfully balanced permitting requirements, environmental stewardship, utility coordination, water-quality requirements, and long-term campus planning to create infrastructure that supports the future of renewable energy research.
