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In 1990, Denver adopted an ordinance that established participation goals for minority and women owned businesses on certain City construction and professional design projects. Dubbed the “MBE/WBE Ordinance,” it covered construction and design contracts for public or private projects funded in whole or in part by Denver and involving facilities owned by Denver or situated on land owned by Denver. The ordinance also covered certain private projects funded wholly by private sources but situated on Denver property, such as Denver International Airport facilities and concessions. In response to this opportunity, a small group of Hispanic, construction-focused business owners launched the Hispanic Contractors of Colorado and spearheaded the inclusion and participation of minority-owned contractor participation in City building contracts. The association was originally comprised of only Hispanic-owned companies. Very few of them, however, were general contractors who needed subcontractors. Thus, membership was opened, up to major general contractors, and M.A. Mortenson was the first to join. Today, HCC has over a dozen major general contractors among its members; companies from many ethnic backgrounds; women-owned companies; suppliers and service providers; plus public entities. Due to increasing use of the design/build construction project delivery method, which brings together design, engineering and construction professionals in a collaborative environment to complete tasks at the same time, teams are formed early on. Thus, the HCC Board added the Design/Engineering membership category in 2004. Denver Public Schools was the first public entity to become an HCC member. With the approval of the 2003 General Obligation Bond, DPS developed an ambitious goal to utilize diverse design and construction companies in recognition of the fact that voters and students in the district were predominantly minority. When RTD decided to go to the voters for approval of the FasTracks project, they too joined HCC and signed a Memorandum of Understanding. In turn, HCC supported the FasTracks campaign and provided input into the restructuring of RTD’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program. Today, HCC is Colorado's largest minority contracting organization and is an active partner in small/minority/woman-owned/disadvantaged business programs for CDOT, Denver, RTD, State of Colorado and Federal construction projects. HCC tracks projects, the established goals for M/W/SBE/DBE participation, and monitors the participation during design and construction. HCC staff and Board or committee members participate in multiple City, State and Regional committees. Additionally, HCC hosts monthly dinner meetings for upcoming projects so that member companies may learn about contracting opportunities and begin to develop business relationships. Finally, HCC owes a historical debt of gratitude to the Associated General Contractors of Colorado and their Executive Director at the time, Dick O’Brecht, for the support they provided in launching HCC. For many years, AGC provided economical office space and, while we’re not in the same building any longer, they are still our landlord. In 2008, AGC again showed its support of HCC by opposing Amendment 46. |
