Awards | Engineering Excellence Awards
ACEC Colorado’s Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) program, established in 1967, is celebrating its 60th year of recognizing consulting engineering firms for projects that demonstrate an exceptional degree of innovation, complexity, achievement, and value. Each year, Colorado firms submit their most innovative projects and studies for consideration in the EEA competition.
All submissions are recognized as award-winning projects, underscoring the prestige and distinction associated with participation in this premier program. Regardless of award level, each entry represents a commitment to advancing the engineering profession and showcasing excellence within the industry. A distinguished panel of judges carefully reviews every submission, evaluating projects against established criteria.
ACEC Colorado’s entry guidelines generally align with those established for the ACEC National EEA competition, to which Colorado Grand Conceptor and Grand Award recipients may advance. Projects advancing to ACEC National receive broader recognition and must submit additional materials, with possible updates to meet national standards.
Awards will be presented to Colorado recipients at the Awards Luncheon on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. Explore our Awards Luncheon sponsorship opportunities.
2027 EEA Program Dates
- Nov. 1, 2024 – Oct. 31, 2026: Substantial construction/completion of project work to be entered (Colorado Official Rules)
- Aug. 7, 2026: Deadline to register project for entry in Colorado 2027 EEA Program (payment due with entry)
- Aug. 14, 2026: Deadline to upload entry materials to portal (link sent to primary contact after entry is completed)
- September 2026: In-person interviews scheduled and conducted with project manager(s) (sign up sent to primary contact after entry is completed)
- September 2026: Independent judging (judges to do not view/score videos and do not meet as a group to compare scoring/comments)
- September 2026: Online voting for People’s Choice Awards (firms are encouraged to launch their own social media campaigns to increase votes for their individual projects)
- Nov. 6, 2026: ACEC Colorado EEA Awards Luncheon and reveal of winners at Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center
- Jan. 6, 2027: ACEC National Competition Entry Deadline (the Colorado 2027 EEA Grand Conceptor & Grand award receipients will be eligible to advance to this competition)
- April 20, 2027: ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards Gala, Washington, DC
Special 30×30 Production Offer for EEA Project Entrants
As an ACEC Colorado Corporate Diamond Sponsor, Ken’s Print+Graphics is offering a 25 percent discount to any current or past EEA participants for production of project gallery displays boards, like the ones in the ACEC Colorado office conference room. Click here to learn more.
The Colorado EEA People’s Choice Award allows firms’ employees, clients, industry stakeholders and the general public to weigh in on which project board and executive summary resounds most with them for excellence in engineering. Unlike the traditional EEA judging, this award is all about popular vote not scoring on criteria. More than 1,100 votes were cast for the Colorado 2026 EEA competition. The contest is promoted across ACEC Colorado’s social media platforms and entering firms are encouraged to create their own campaigns to garner votes for their projects. It’s your chance to get involved, spread the word and rally support. The entry with the most verified votes will take home the honor of being the crowd favorite.
Colorado 2026 EEA Recipients
Colorado 2026 EEA Results (Awarded Nov. 14, 2025)
- Download ACEC Colorado 2026 EEA Commemorative Program
- View 2026 EEA Playlist (Downloadable/Sharable Project Videos)
- View 2026 Outstanding Graphics Award
- View 2026 Judges
- View Photo Gallery of Colorado EEA Luncheon (Nov. 9, 2023) (NOTE: Password: EEA25)
- Read Colorado Public Works Journal EEA Section (Winter 2026)
Colorado 2025 EEA Results (Awarded Nov. 8, 2024)
- Download ACEC Colorado 2025 EEA Commemorative Program
- View 2025 EEA Playlist (Downloadable/Sharable Project Videos)
- View 2025 Outstanding Graphics Award
- View Photo Gallery of ACEC Colorado’s EEA Luncheon (Nov. 8, 2024) (NOTE: Password – Awards)
- View 2025 Judges
- Read Colorado Real Estate Journal EEA Section
- Read Colorado Public Works Journal EEA Section
