The outpouring of applications for this year’s Top Company awards is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of enterprises that do business in the state. Applications for the 35th annual awards numbered in the hundreds, and it was particularly encouraging to see so many companies rebounding from two years of COVID restrictions, with most posting revenue and employee gains approaching—and in some cases, exceeding—pre-pandemic numbers.

This year’s Top Company winners and finalists represent 13 industry categories, plus a startup category for companies in business less than four years. Entrants were judged on three criteria: outstanding achievement, financial performance and community involvement. The judging panel was made up of ColoradoBiz magazine’s editorial board and two representatives from the business community.

 

Winner: Shears Adkins Rockmore Architects

Denver

Shears Adkins Rockmore has built a reputation for its design of urban projects across the country.

The company is most proud of its impact on shaping a rapidly growing Denver and providing much-needed housing for the city’s expanding population. Shears Adkins has more than 10,000 residential units in its design portfolio and works hard to help Denver keep up with the demand for more high-quality, easily accessible, dense urban housing.

“With each multifamily project we have undertaken, we continue to improve on the desirability of the units, keeping pace with rapidly changing residential trends,” said Brittany Walker, director of communications.

The firm shares its expertise with organizations like Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver to help provide affordable housing in Elyria-Swansea; Colorado Village Collaborative to help design tiny home prototypes and buildout; and West Denver Renaissance Collaborative to develop an accessory dwelling unit pilot program.

“The Tiny Home Initiative, in particular, has been a great achievement for the city of Denver,” Walker said. “After joining a committee led by the Colorado Village Collaborative and comprised of individuals that had already been working to bring light to this issue, our team knew we could provide our talent to make a difference. The primary goal was to create temporary tiny home shelters to give people experiencing homelessness a place to call their own and the stability to get back on their feet.”

Finalist: Lantz-Boggio Architects

Englewood

Lance-Boggio Architects specializes in creating communities and healing environments for all ages with a focus on seniors. The company believes that implementing best practices and innovation in its designs benefits both its staff and the residents and clients of the buildings it designs.

The company is transitioning from its first-generation ownership, many of whom have retired, to five partners.

“We are opening up the firm to new ways of working that are more efficient and more team culture focused,” said Bill Foster, a partner in the firm. “We are still in the middle of this transition, so it is an exciting time to be part of our work to grow and change.”

Lantz-Boggio promotes architecture as a profession by participating in the Bring an Architect to School program to teach kids about it. It also engages underprivileged youth in activities that teach them how architects solve problems.

The company, which is proud of its dog-friendly culture, also contributes to the Margaret Boggio Foundation, which gives thousands of dollars a year so dogs in Denver receive health-care and wellbeing services.

“We believe that bringing our companions to work makes our culture more caring and keeps us all in tune to the many great attributes that our canine companions excel at, including loyalty, fun and unconditional acceptance,” Foster said. “This counterbalance to the demanding pursuit of technical excellence that architecture demands helps us keep our jobs in perspective.”

Finalist: Sopher Sparn Architects

Boulder

Sopher Sparn has designed custom homes, multifamily housing, mixed-use developments, urban infill and affordable housing projects. Its services also include master planning, entitlement and interior design.

The company views the relationship between the architect and client as the key to a successful project and has adopted a philosophy to listen, innovate and deliver. “We listen to our clients’ goals and make them our own — this is the basis of a great owner-client relationship,” said Syd Berkowitz, the company’s marketing and operations manager. “We strive to find innovative and specific solutions that are beautiful, cost effective, durable and sustainable. We strive to meet and exceed our client expectations through a profound level of personal and professional commitment to our craft.”

As a member of the Colorado Green Building Guild, Sopher Sparn distinguishes itself from its competitors by focusing on green design and designing for wellness.

The firm engages with the Boulder community through donations, participation in community benefits and supporting its neighbors, including using local restaurants for all its staff meetings and coffee breaks.

“We believe our community is what makes us special,” Berkowitz said. “We have designed and preserved Boulder for a collective 40 years and intend on continuing for 40 more.”