City of Denver Facility Condition Assessment Program

Challenge

Managing a large and diverse portfolio of public buildings is no small task. The City of Denver oversees over 300 facilities – ranging from fire and police stations to libraries, courthouses, detention centers, and historic City and County buildings. Growing maintenance demands make it difficult to keep track of conditions and prioritize improvements. Each facility plays a critical role in serving residents but aging systems and changing community needs make it challenging to monitor facility status, schedule upgrades, and plan budgets with confidence.

The City needed a consistent, data-driven approach for assessing the state, health, and efficiency of its facilities. The goal was two-fold: to ensure safe and reliable spaces for the community and to provide City agencies with clear, actionable insights for maintenance, capital planning, and long-term investment strategies.

Solution

To meet this challenge, the City partnered with SEH to implement their Facility Condition Assessment Program (FCAP) across 101 buildings totaling more than 4.6 million square feet. The team delivered a comprehensive, standardized assessment process designed to give City leaders the clarity and confidence needed to make informed decisions. Assessments spanned a wide range of facilities, including:

• 34 fire stations and related facilities
• 9 police stations 
• 16 buildings at the Denver County Jail campus
• 25 public libraries 
• 8 municipal buildings 
• 4 child development and learning centers
• A community center, downtown detention center, Denver Animal Shelter, Lindsey Flanagan Courthouse, and the registered historic City and County Building.

SEH’s multidisciplinary team evaluated architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, along with ADA and code compliance. Each building assessment included: 

• Background data review and kickoff meetings with staff 
• On-site systems and equipment evaluations 
• Draft and final reports with findings, recommendations, photos, and condition ratings 
• Prioritized maintenance and repair needs with cost estimates 
• Energy efficiency opportunities aligned with Denver’s “80x50 Climate Action Plan” 
• Data entry into the City’s Infor EAM software platform for seamless integration 

The program not only identified immediate and long-term facility needs but also provided Denver with a reliable tool for budgeting, forecasting, and benchmarking. By addressing all 101 facility assessments under one project, the City gained a clear roadmap for sustaining its critical infrastructure and ensuring facilities continue to meet community needs well into the future.