MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS

In Castle Rock, Colorado, MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS is building on a prestigious reputation for award-winning general contracting, strong subcontractor relationships, deep-seated industry ties and family-owned business.

Since 1984, MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS has provided construction services throughout Colorado’s Front Range and mountain towns, building standout projects — schools, fire stations, libraries, parks, commercial and industrial buildings, and many local and regional landmarks.

Pulling through the make-or-break years

The boom-time construction market that exists in Colorado today is far from what it was when Mike Golden, president of MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS, started the company in 1984. “I had young children, a family to support and a mortgage — failure wasn’t an option,” he recounts. “We picked up some work with a small captive audience, but it was during another downturn in the Colorado economy and I quickly found that the competition was stiff.”

MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS has continued to grow by pleasing customers and delivering projects consistently on time and on budget while satisfying the overhead costs that allow for growth.

As the only MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS employee starting out, Mike leveraged his strong project management skills and construction industry experience to capture some public sector competitive bid work on a prequalified basis. At just 34 years old, he incorporated MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS. “We landed our first job, which was a restaurant tenant finish in downtown Denver. That was an adjustment because I wasn’t used to working downtown,” says Mike. “Then we landed a half-a-million job for the Army Corps of Engineers. We made it through the first tough year and not only did we get work and make a little money, we started to grow our customer base and reputation. And here we are today, nearly 32 years later.”

A serial entrepreneur, Mike has been eyeing new business opportunities since his grade school lawn-mowing service and the reroofing company he started as a young man. With the same grit and determination that led him to other business ventures, Mike has built MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS into a major name in construction.

“There are people who seem to gravitate toward being problem solvers and getting things done when others can’t; I think this is just in my nature,” he says.

Setting the bar high

MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS has continued to grow, one year at a time, by pleasing customers and delivering projects consistently on time and on budget while satisfying the overhead costs that allow for growth. “These earnings go right back into the company to grow our net worth and bonding capacity; this has been a big focus over the years,” explains Mike. “Every year we’ve been in business we have satisfied our costs and made money.”

Mike attributes MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS ongoing success to reinvestment, as well as a few core values and expectations —ones he holds himself to, as well as his employees and his subcontractors. Safety and quality come first and foremost, along with professionalism, honesty, fairness, follow through and a focus on relationship building. “We have not grown rapidly because it’s been more important to us to do a great job rather than many jobs in a mediocre fashion. We want to perform well for our clients, designers, subcontractors, the government officials we work for — we want to perform well in all cases,” stresses Mike.

Foundation stabilization in Glenwood Springs

Unlike some of its fellow Colorado contractors, MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS does not have a particular industry niche. “We have completed many diverse projects in our history, mainly in the commercial, institutional and government sectors,” says Mike. “We offer construction management, design-build service and consulting.”

Mike says if there’s one area where the company does shine it’s in the complex, challenging projects others hesitate to tackle. One such project is the Glenwood Springs Maintenance Facility, completed in 2010 for the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority, the largest rural transportation agency in the U.S.

Constructed in 2001 on an alluvial debris fan on the south side of the Colorado River, the hydro –collapsible soils beneath the facility’s foundation caused the structure to sink more than 9 inches in 10 years. “The building was quickly becoming uninhabitable,” recounts Mike.

MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS submitted a design-build proposal to stabilize the foundation and drilled 307, 100-foot-deep compaction grout columns, raising the building 4 inches. “The $4.5 million facility remained operational the entire time,” adds Mike. “Not only that — we also completed the project in just eight months, well ahead of the proposed schedule. There were many who didn’t believe it could be done.”

Community amenities in Castle Rock

While significantly less technical than Glenwood Springs, the Philip S. Miller Park is one of MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS’ latest projects, valued at $8 million. The company celebrated the grand opening in May 2016 and the park is now drawing crowds from all over for its unique features, some of which include group picnic pavilions and outdoor fire pits, water splash pad, fountain features and a Millhouse venue for receptions and gatherings.

Philip S. Miller Park also includes a large outdoor amphitheater with a covered stage and capacity for 3,000 people, nestled into the natural beauty of Castle Rock. “We worked very hard on the construction of these park projects,” says Jason Golden, Mike’s son and vice president of MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS. “This park has become a landmark for Castle Rock and we are proud.”

Filling big shoes

After 40-plus years in the industry, Mike is preparing to transition the company to Jason. “Jason has been doing estimating and preconstruction services for 10 years and I’ve taken on more of an operations role recently,” says Mike.

“I grew up in and around the construction business,” says Jason. “For the past decade, my father and I have complemented one another. We play to our strengths and I consistently learn from him. This transition has been planned for years. Once it happens, it’s not going to be a surprise to anyone who has known us or worked with us.”

Mike’s wife, Pam Golden, is also involved in the family business. “She is our secretary, treasurer and HR point person,” he says. “She has been with me since day one.”

“You’re only as good as how you’re performing today — it doesn’t matter what you did yesterday or last year.”

As the gradual family transition starts to take shape, MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS continues to build strong industry ties with organizations such as the American Subcontractors Association of Colorado (ASAC). MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS traces its roots with ASAC back to 1999 when it was first nominated for a Contractor of the Year award. Since then, the company has won the honor seven times and has been added to the ASAC Hall of Fame.

“Every time we have won it just makes us work harder,” says Mike. “You’re only as good as how you’re performing today — it doesn’t matter what you did yesterday or last year.”

With no intention of slowing down, MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS has some big builds planned in 2016. One of the newest undertakings includes an exciting expansion and renovation to the Vail Fire Station One Building in Vail, Colorado, as well as new transportation and maintenance facilities for the Roaring Fork School District in Glenwood Springs and El Jebel.

With a strong company philosophy and vision at its core, as well as many industry ties, subcontractor relationships and family values, MW GOLDEN CONSTRUCTORS is building on 32 years of award-winning contracting in Colorado.