Transforming CU’s Athletic campus into a 365-day hub of excellence—for athletes and the community.
Campus-Wide Revamp: Scope & Scale.
When the University of Colorado set out to reimagine its athletic campus, the vision was ambitious: to create a state-of-the-art environment that would unify training, academics, wellness, and community experiences.
The project ultimately became a $156–177 million design-build collaboration, led by Mortenson and Populous, which expanded Folsom Field by 220,000 square feet and brought 38,000 square feet of modern renovations to the Dal Ward Athletic Center. A new 108,000-square-foot Indoor Practice Facility achieved net-zero energy performance, supported by over 2,600 rooftop solar panels producing 1,200 megawatt-hours each year.
Every detail was designed to serve a single purpose—supporting the Colorado Buffaloes’ pursuit of excellence. The complex now features Olympic-sport locker rooms, high-performance weight and training areas, team meeting spaces, an expanded academic center, team dining facilities, and a rooftop terrace ready to welcome fans on game day.
First Populous LEED Platinum Athletic Facility.
This transformation didn’t just redefine CU’s campus footprint—it set a new benchmark for sustainability. As Populous’s first-ever LEED Platinum-certified athletic facility, the project delivered 49% energy cost savings compared to traditional athletic buildings.
The Indoor Practice Facility alone generates enough renewable energy to cover all its needs and nearly a third of the complex overall. Water-saving strategies, recycled materials, and environmentally conscious construction methods underscored the university’s commitment to greener operations.
Kubik's Experience Design Contribution.
Kubik Maltbie’s role in this project was to bring the Buffaloes’ story to life within these newly created spaces. Throughout two buildings and seven levels, we developed and installed immersive branded environments that connected athletes and visitors to CU’s heritage and spirit.
This included custom exhibits along hallways, training areas, locker rooms, and public zones—each element carefully planned to inspire pride and elevate the day-to-day experience.Managing a scope that was roughly 70% fabrication and 30% graphics, our teams worked in close collaboration with the general contractor and CU Athletics to integrate displays seamlessly within an active construction site. Precise field dimensioning ensured a perfect fit and finish, even as project conditions evolved.
We also partnered closely with CU archivists to safeguard and showcase historical artifacts, while our project managers oversaw every detail—from graphics production and fabrication to audiovisual integration and installation.
Key Story Elements.
- Athlete & Staff Experience – Spaces were crafted to help student-athletes train harder, recover faster, and perform at their best, every day.
- Operational Efficiency – The design consolidated multiple programs into a single, cohesive environment that streamlined operations across disciplines.
- Community & Revenue Engagement – Public wellness spaces, premium terraces, and fan-focused amenities strengthened connections with the broader community.
- Sustainability Leadership – Earning LEED Platinum certification demonstrated CU’s commitment to building a more sustainable future for collegiate athletics.