Weld County approves $378,000 design contract for judicial center, awards $7.4 million asphalt supply

The Weld County Board of County Commissioners on March 2 approved a package of procurement awards that included a $378,000 contract for preliminary design work on a new Weld County Judicial Center and a not-to-exceed $7,422,983 contract for asphalt supplies.

Toby Taylor of the county purchasing office told commissioners the judicial center solicitation drew six proposals and a three-firm short list; the board interviewed finalists. "Fentress Studios as the overall best value for this solicitation," Taylor said, and Facilities recommended awarding Fentress Studios $378,000 for conceptual programming, validation and concept drawings, with other fees to be negotiated later.

Public Works recommended the 2026 hot-and-warm asphalt supply award to the lowest qualified bidder, Martin Marietta Materials Inc., for an amount not to exceed $7,422,983. The board moved and approved the award by voice vote. The county also approved a 2026 crack-seal supply contract to Maxwell Products Inc., for a 2026 not-to-exceed amount of $74,240 (price cited as $1,160 per ton).

Commissioners thanked applicants and noted robust interest in the justice-center competition. One commissioner described the selection process as lengthy and closely contested: "It was a long day, a lot of discussion, a lot of questions," a commissioner said during remarks.

The Fentress Studios award covers early-phase services; the county will negotiate any additional fees and scopes after conceptual work. The asphalt and crack-seal awards are single-year supply contracts for 2026 with the amounts and vendors announced during the meeting.

Next steps: contract documents and any required signing will follow departmental procurement procedures and the board's motions recorded at the March 2 meeting.