April 10, 2025

Employee Spotlight: Keith Gudenkauf

As the main contact for all Stantec engineers onsite at Chimney Hollow, Resident Engineer Keith Gudenkauf is responsible for onsite engineering.

Gudenkauf’s tasks include attending daily coordination meetings with key players from all aspects of the project and staying on top of each day’s construction schedule and addressing any design questions that come up during construction. His goal is to plan ahead for any questions that might come up from the contractor and have answers ready so construction is not delayed. He also provides support by answering all the required submittals and RFIs from the contractor.

Other responsibilities included among Gudenkauf’s task list include coordinating with the Colorado Dam Safety Division and the Project Review Board on a regular basis. The Colorado Dam Safety Division visits the project monthly to address any potential concerns, and the Project Review Board are technical experts who limit risk to the Municipal Subdistrict, the builders of the project.

“In general, the most challenging part of the project is getting the right people in the room to solve problems in a timely fashion because everyone is busy onsite and in the office,” Gudenkauf said. “In the field, I would say that every project has its challenges and this is no different. Early on, the foundation on the main dam was a little difficult to work with, the contractor is well-equipped to do the job, but we had to make sure we were satisfied with the dam.”

His favorite part of the project is, “Hands down the people. It really comes down to good people doing good work.” Gudenkauf has worked for Stantec’s Denver office for the past 19 years and is currently residing in Loveland with his wife. He is excited to visit the reservoir once full and enjoy all the new recreational opportunities.