May

2024

ISSUE 

No. 32

Fostering a culture of success at Ditesco and maintaining it as we continue to grow requires intentionality. That's where The Ditesco Way comes in – Ditesco is committed to the customer experience; we focus on strong relationships, consistently provide high-quality service with unwritten value, and do whatever it takes to transform our communities. We have always operated to this standard. It's the reason our firm has seen sustainable growth across our team and delivered over 300 successful projects in the last 18 years.

The Ditesco Way is a reflection of our culture and is woven into our strategic operations and project pursuits. We intentionally pursue projects that have lasting impacts on our communities because this is where we raise our families and live. Upgrading and maintaining our water and wastewater infrastructure is one of many examples. That's why we continue to partner with municipalities on improvements like replacing clarifiers at the Drake Water Reclamation Facility in Fort Collins.

Our team is ingrained in Northern Colorado, and we understand the value of intentionally breaking down barriers to work across county – and even state lines – to ensure our families, friends, and neighbors can prosper. Expanding our broadband footprint to connect communities with reliable internet is a huge initiative, too. It has resulted in a partnership with Visionary Broadband that will carve a path of connectivity through Wyoming.

Initiatives like these are where Ditesco thrives! It's how we choose to show up and make an impact – it's The Ditesco Way.

Crystal Bidwell

VP of Finance and Administration

SCEDD Broadband Road Shows

Ditesco has been working with the Southern Colorado Economic Development District (SCEDD) since mid-2022 on their broadband initiative. Recently, Ditesco's grant applications won $15.8 million in grant funds through Colorado's Capital Projects Fund (CPF) grant program for SCEDD. This funding will help build new and expand existing fiber networks in Bent, Lake, Pueblo, and Las Animas Counties and connect at least 1,787 homes and businesses with high-speed broadband.

Our team road-tripped across the district to host forums on the grant program, what communities should expect, and what additional funding opportunities are on the horizon. These forums included presentations outlining community fiber network maps and additional data. SCEDD is one of the largest economic development districts geographically in the state, and we put in the miles! Next up for SCEDD is ensuring proper allocation of the CPF grant funds and preparing applications for additional funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Applications for the $826.5 million program open this summer.

Visionary Broadband Partnership

Visionary Broadband (Visionary) is an internet service provider bringing high-speed broadband to its subscribers in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Visionary recently won grant funding to expand its broadband service in Wyoming. Ditesco is providing fiber design and project management services for the network expansion.

To develop accurate drawing sets for construction, our team loaded Visionary's high-level network design into ArcGIS Field Maps, purchased a 360 GoPro Camera, and hit the road to capture field conditions in real-time. With the camera attached to the roof of our vehicle, we drove through every section of the right-of-way planned for construction, tracking our position using ArcGIS Field Maps, and capturing 100 GB worth of images to assist our designers. Our network design drawings are approximately 50% complete, and once finalized, will allow Visionary to apply for excavation and pole attachment permits.

Recruiting interns at the CSU Construction Management Career Fair.

Celebrating birthdays at Ruben's Grill + Cantina in Loveland!

Touring the Respite Care facility!

Finding Easter eggs during our Ditesco Easter Egg Hunt!

Ditesco is committed to the customer experience; we focus on strong relationships, consistently provide high-quality service with unwritten value, and do whatever it takes to transform our communities.

Brandon Merrell | CAD Designer

What projects do you enjoy working on: I’ve enjoyed learning about our standards and how to create drawings on Oak Street. I have also been excited to show all those new skills creating plan sets for Visionary Broadband. I think the best part of all the projects is there is something new every day to learn and work on.

Favorite thing about working at Ditesco: My favorite thing about Ditesco is the people. I have been treated amazingly by everyone; the company really cares about their employees which is a nice change of pace. Everyone is also eager and willing to answer questions or teach you about something you need help with.

Fun Fact: I have double-jointed elbows.

Dustan Whipple | Project Engineer

Current Project:

Terry Ranch Water Supply Pipeline

Favorite thing about working at Ditesco: The opportunity to work on projects that impact the local community and getting to learn from all the amazing people we have here.

Fun Fact: I love to travel! I’ve been to Ireland, Japan, Chile, and Argentina.

Brad Harris | Senior Construction Manager

Current Projects:

• Terry Ranch Water Supply Pipeline
• Northern Colorado Regional Airport Terminal Building
• Pulse at Namaqua and Highway 34 Expansion

Favorite thing about working at Ditesco: The personality of the company and the way we treat each other.

Fun Fact: I spent nine years as a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA).

Tyler Collins | Construction Manager

Current Project:

Thornton Water Project Segment B

Favorite thing about working at Ditesco: The people and culture.

Fun Fact: My favorite childhood memory was playing in the Little League World Series when I was 11 years old.