News
SGM 2021 Winter Water/Wastewater Forum
November 2021
The 2021 Fall Water/Wastewater Forum, while virtual, still packed quite a punch! Speakers shared exciting research and advancements in technology for both water and wastewater treatment. It was great to have CDPHE staff inform attendees of Colorado’s Bench-Scale Lead & Copper Corrosion Testing protocol, and for ERWSD to share their approach to determining optimal corrosion control treatment for their distribution system. Many thanks to Kevin Rein, Colorado State Engineer, for his enlightening presentation on key water resources issues facing the state, and to the City of Glenwood Springs for sharing steps taken after the Grizzly Creek Fire to help entities prepare for the threat of fire to their water system.
Click here for additional information and for links to the session presentations.
SGM 2021 Winter Water/Wastewater Forum
January 2021
What a great Winter Forum! Attendees at the 2021 Water/Wastewater Virtual Winter Forum were treated to a full slate of top-notch speakers sharing technology innovations, research, case studies, and regulatory updates. Thanks to our dynamic and diverse panelists for helping advance the water/wastewater industry in Colorado. (Read More)
SGM/FLC 2019 Water Resources Fall Forum
September 2019
What a great Fall Forum! Attendees at the SGM/FLC Water Resources event spent a full day delving into the water resources challenges facing SW Colorado when extreme weather conditions–drought, fire, avalanches, and flooding–occur in the span of two years. (Read More)
SGM Expands Environmental Services
December 2018
We are pleased to announce that MountainWest, LLC has joined forces with SGM, allowing us to provide expanded environmental services to clients and communities across Western Colorado. (Read More)
SGM President Warren Swanson (m) welcomes Eric Petterson (l) and Alex Nees (r) to the SGM Environmental Services Team.
SB18-167: Broad Changes to Subsurface Utility Engineering and 811 Law
October 2018
SGM had the pleasure of hosting Joe Carter, CDOT Region 3 Utility Engineer, for a series of presentations on SB18-167, also known as the Subsurface Utility Engineering / 811 Law. We encourage you to become informed! (Read More)
SGM Dedicates Bike Fix-it Station in Memory of Ken Wilson
August 2017
SGM employees gathered on Friday, August 11th to unveil a new bicycle repair station in Glenwood’s Two Rivers Park. The station is dedicated to the memory of Ken Wilson, PLS, founder of SGM’s survey department. (Read More)
SGM employees, family, and friends dedicate new Fix-it Station in Two Rivers Park in memory of Ken Wilson, PLS.
Joy Surveying Company Joins SGM
February 2017
We are pleased to announce that Meeker-based Joy Surveying Company has joined forces with SGM, allowing us to provide expanded survey services to clients and communities across northwestern Colorado. (Read More)
Leif Joy, Betty Kracht, & Brian Brewbaker
SGM 30 for 30 Week 1: In the Beginning
April 7th, 2016
Louis Meyer and Dean Gordon officially started Schmueser Gordon Meyer in 1986 with their first client, Mid Valley Metro District (MVMD) of Basalt. (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 2: Meet Jeff Simonson, Communitarian
April 15th, 2016
Fifth generation New Castle, CO, resident Jeff Simonson feels a commitment to the communities he supports down through the bottom of his cowboy boots. (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 3: Wastewater Engineering Excellence: Glenwood Springs Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility
April 22nd, 2016
How many man-hours does it take to design, permit, and provide construction management for a major wastewater treatment plant upgrade in mountainous Western Colorado? (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 4: An Oyster Farm? In Rifle??
April 28th, 2016
What happens when a co-generation electric plant and a professor with a passion for oyster farming collide? You get an oyster farm in Rifle, Colorado! (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 5: Survey Says…
May 6th, 2016
As a complement to SGM’s civil engineering practice, Ken Wilson began SGM’s Survey department in 1986. With 30 years of experience surveying the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys, and many other areas of Western Colorado, SGM has unmatched local knowledge and experience. (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 6: It Began with World Domination
May 12th, 2016
Apparently SGM planned to conquer the world when it opened shop in 1986!The 90’s version of SGM’s logo continued to visually cement who we were with what we offered, in a more streamlined fashion. Perhaps we realized world domination was a bit far-fetched, and that we should stick to Western Colorado! (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 7: Nurturing Future Engineers
May 19th, 2016
A key component of SGM’s mission and core values is to give back to our communities. Since 1998, SGM has invested in the next generation of engineers by offering scholarships to local students pursuing an engineering degree.
In September 2001, SGM was saddened by the death of Steve Westhoff, a field engineer and SGM employee of two years. Steve’s integrity, humor, and vast technical knowledge were an inspiration to SGM and our clients. In 2002, SGM renamed their scholarship in honor of Steve and the qualities he embodied as a person and as an engineer. (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 8: Riding the Development Wave
May 26th, 2016
The evolution of SGM’s ‘Resort Development Team’ to the current ‘Civil Services Sector’ highlights one aspect of growth and diversity fostered by SGM co-founders Dean Gordon and Louis Meyer. The original Resort Development team led by Dean through the 90’s and into the mid-2000’s consisted of 6-8 folks who provided civil design for some of the largest resort projects across the Central Mountains and Western Slope of Colorado, including Aspen Highlands Village, Maroon Creek Club, Aspen Glen, River Valley Ranch, and Mt Crested Butte Town Center. (Read More)
Aspen Glen Club, Carbondale, CO
SGM 30 for 30 Week 9: When Nat Geo ‘Diggers’ Calls
June 2, 2016
In the summer of 2013, the SGM Survey department received an out-of-the-ordinary request. Tim Saylor and George Wyant, better known as the stars of the National Geographic TV Show ‘Diggers’, were attempting to locate a time capsule that was buried on the Aspen Music School campus. The capsule contained, among other items, Steve Jobs’ personal mouse from his Apple LISA computer, and a six-pack of beer as a reward for whoever unearthed the treasure, placed by local architect Harry Teague. (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 10: Dan Cokley – STAYING POWER
June 9, 2016
What keeps someone working at the same company for over 25 years? Well, if you’re Dan Cokley, Civil Services Sector Leader for SGM, it’s working with great people on intriguing projects in great locations that keeps you engaged. (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 11: Remembering Ken Wilson
June 16, 2016
It is with sadness that we share that long-time SGM employee and founder of SGM’s professional land surveying department, Ken Wilson, PLS, passed away last Friday evening. Ken fought a very long, courageous battle with cancer and will be greatly missed. (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 12: Buildings, Bridges, Tanks: Check, Check, Check
June 23, 2016
SGM’s Structural Team has been meeting the needs of municipal and private clients for 15+ years, and shows no sign of slowing down. To add depth to SGM’s structural engineering capabilities, SGM brought Bill Swigert, PE, SE on board in 2000. Bill eventually started the Structural Engineering team, which has grown to a staff of eight. The team provides diversified design and support for buildings, bridges, and tanks. (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 13: “Why’s a Gong Hanging on your Wall?”
June 29, 2016
SGM is filled with technical-minded engineers, land surveyors and consultants who spend their days focused on solving tough problems for our clients. That is what we do – we solve problems – lots of them. A strong tendency of our group is to get on with tackling the next challenge before the solution for the most recent one is wrapped-up. That’s why a handful of years ago, we introduced the SGM Victory Gong. (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 14: Sometimes Cold, but Always Very Cool
July 7, 2016
Since 2001, SGM has had a presence in the Gunnison Valley. What’s one benefit of having an office in a city that routinely logs the coldest temperatures in Colorado? According to CADD Designer Shannon Kaminsky, you can build an ice rink right in your own backyard! (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 15: Q&A with Blaine Wright, SGM Field Engineer
July 14, 2016
One of the more unique jobs at SGM is that of a Field Engineer. Much like the postal service, neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night keep these engineers away from the jobsite as they work to ensure projects conform to design specifications as they are being built. Field engineers also serve as referees, resolving inevitable conflicts that arise between the design and the reality of construction out in the field.
We recently chatted with long-time SGM Engineer Blaine Wright to give you a glimpse into the world of a field engineer, and better understand the challenges and rewards of a job spent out in the elements. (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 16: Optimizing Performance and Efficiency, One Building at a Time
July 21, 2016
One of the ways SGM has grown over the years is by adding additional services to meet clients’ expanding engineering needs. Case in point: the SGM MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing) team. Our MEP staff provides a unique combination of hands-on field experience and engineering expertise to deliver client-responsive consulting engineering. The MEP team is proud of the value-added solutions it has developed for a wide variety of projects and clients. (Read More)
Tony Haschke, Mike Suhrbier, and Dan Richardson puzzle over an HVAC quandary
SGM 30 for 30 Week 17: GIS + Mobility = Enhanced productivity and connectivity for SGM Clients
July 28, 2016
Over the past 10 years SGM has expanded its mapping services from creating hard copy maps to putting internet, cloud-based mobile mapping tools into our client’s hands. One of our jobs has been to help our clients take advantage of the tools being developed out of this digital mapping revolution. (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 18: Pitching in, SGM Style
August 4, 2016
Individually, SGM employees are known for their generosity and willingness to lend a hand, whether taking leadership roles on boards and commissions, coaching youth sports, volunteering with local non-profit organizations, or mentoring at-risk youth. We also often pull together our collective ingenuity, skill, and brawn to tackle exciting community improvement projects. You might be familiar with two of them: the historic Crystal Mill, and the Pearl Pass Bridge. (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 19: Ron Mittleider, Technology Trailblazer
August 10, 2016
If you ever want to understand technology’s impact on engineering, or find a great 4×4 trail, talk to Ron Mittleider. Ron heads up SGM’s CAD department, and is known throughout the company for his commitment to quality. He recently reflected back on the rapid progression of drafting. (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 20: Ski Resort Experience as Legendary as Colorado’s Powder
August 17, 2016
Throughout our 30 year history of supporting rural and resort communities, SGM has had many opportunities to contribute to sublime days on the slopes, even if our work is largely unseen. Our engineers have designed numerous water and wastewater systems to ensure resorts have clean water and efficient wastewater systems to handle peak skier demand. We’ve consulted with resorts to provide master planning and to address water storage concerns. (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 21: The Wild, Wild West
August 25, 2016
Since 2008, the Grand Junction office has been the westernmost outpost of the SGM territory. This location allows GJ staff to provide services from Ouray to Rangely and even into eastern Utah. Throughout the past eight years, John Boulden and crew have been fortunate to work with many interesting people in both the public and private sector as well as enjoy the wide variety of recreational opportunities that the Western Slope has to offer. (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 22: Back to School
September 1, 2016
Summer is winding down, the days are getting shorter, and bright yellow buses are once again plying the local roadways. A new school year dawns, filled with the promise of new subjects and old friends. Bring on the math and science! (Read More)
Students get a first-hand look at the generators at the Shoshone Hydroelectric Plant
SGM 30 for 30 Week 23: Fire Pumper Truck to the Rescue
September 9, 2016
In the near future, Eagle River Water and Sanitation District (ERWSD) is facing the replacement of, or improvements to, 56 aging water distribution system booster pump stations. In order to perform these repairs, temporary by-pass pumps are usually rented, at a steep cost, to provide uninterrupted water supply to customers. ERWSD turned to SGM’s Drinking Water Team to investigate options other than renting, and the answer ended up being rather unconventional: use a fire pumper truck! (Read More)
SGM 30 for 30 Week 24: Get to Know SGM’s Salida Office
September 15, 2016
SGM has been working in Chaffee County since 2002, starting with the Town of Buena Vista. As our client base grew in the area, the need for a local office became apparent. SGM called upon intrepid trailblazer Matt Hutson, who also opened SGM’s Crested Butte office in 2001, to establish an office in Salida. Matt has worked in four SGM offices covering nine different buildings, so mobility is his middle name! In 2012 he opened the Salida office, and since then he’s been working with clients from Trinidad to Leadville, and from Creede to Cripple Creek. When asked how many miles he puts on his truck each year, Matt just laughed and said you really wouldn’t want to know! (Read More)
Salida Office Manager Matt Hutson
SGM 30 for 30 Week 25: SGM’s Ever-Evolving Workforce
September 22, 2016
There is a lot of focus in the news lately about the makeup of today’s workforce, and the confluence of four generations: the Silent Generation, the Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y or what’s commonly known as the Millennial generation. With a workforce that’s comprised of 30% Baby Boomers, 34% Gen Xers, and 35% Millennials, SGM has seen the challenges of intergenerational differences, and continues to grow by embracing the unique outlooks and diversity each brings to the company.
It’s not hard to guess which generation Steve Byers belongs to!
SGM 30 for 30 Week 26: Shaping Colorado’s Water Future
September 29, 2016
Over the past few years, Louis Meyer, Angie Fowler, and Brendon Langenhuizen of SGM have had the opportunity to represent several clients and engage key stakeholders in the Colorado River Basin as part of the Colorado Basin Implementation Plan (BIP) process, a key component of Governor Hickenlooper’s ambitious Colorado Water Plan. As a company that has been serving and working with clients on the Western Slope for over 30 years, it was an honor to represent their interests in a statewide planning effort.
Grand Valley Roller Dam
SGM 30 for 30 Week 27: Extracurriculars
October 6, 2016
SGM has a reputation for working hard, and playing just as hard. We enjoy the camaraderie of hiking, skinning, and rafting with colleagues and clients as we take advantage of western Colorado’s vast recreational opportunities. During the summer there are almost as many bikes around the office as there are employees. What you might be surprised to find out are some of the hidden talents behind the demeanor of hard-working SGM employees.
SGM 30 for 30 Week 28: Another Way Around
October 12, 2016
If you’ve noticed a surge in roundabouts across western Colorado communities, you’re not alone. We spoke with Lee Barger, SGM’s Transportation Team Lead and roundabout advocate, to better understand the impetus behind roundabouts and to glimpse what’s on the horizon when it comes to intersection design and implementation.
SGM 30 for 30 Week 29: Thrilled to be in Southwest Colorado
October 21, 2016
For the past three decades, SGM has specialized in providing engineering solutions for mountain, resort and rural communities in Western Colorado. In 2015 SGM merged with Durango-based Bikis Water Consultants to better serve the engineering needs of clients in the Four Corners region, and deliver additional water resources and environmental services to our clients across Colorado and beyond. Durango has proven to be a great fit for our expanding company.
SGM 30 for 30 Week 30: A Final Note
October 28, 2016
This is our final edition of SGM’s 30 for 30 campaign. It’s been a lot of fun. We’d like to thank you readers out there – our community of clients, business partners, friends, and family. You are the folks for whom we work hard every day and who helped make SGM’s first 30 years as successful and rewarding as they were.
Bikis Water Consultants Joins SGM
June 24th, 2015
SGM is pleased to announce the addition of a new Durango location and expanded water rights, water resources, and environmental service offerings with the addition of Bikis Water Consultants. (Read More)
SGM Named a 2015 Colorado Companies to Watch Winner
June 5th, 2015
This award is given to high performing, second stage companies that develop valuable products and services, create quality jobs, enrich communities, and create new industries throughout Colorado. With over 1,200 applicants, SGM was one of only 50 Colorado companies to receive the award.
Colorado Basin Implementation Plan
May 5th, 2015
SGM is very proud of our efforts to lead the preparation of the Colorado Basin Implementation Plan. As the lead consultant, SGM prepared the Colorado Basin Implementation Plan for the entire Colorado River Basin.
