Glenwood Springs-Based Gould Construction Builds Legacy

On a crisp morning in Glenwood Springs, the sound of heavy machinery echoes through the valley as workers from Gould Construction begin another day of building and maintaining the infrastructure that underpins daily life in the Roaring Fork Valley. As the company's CEO, Mark Gould, oversees operations, he's mindful of the legacy his family's business has built over nearly five decades. Gould Construction's roots stretch back to 1979, when Mark's grandparents, Norman and Nancy, incorporated the company after moving to the valley from upstate New York.

As Mark Gould puts it, "We do mostly civil infrastructure. Bridges, roads, underground utilities, water, sewer, lift stations and treatment plants. Almost anything that involves dirt work we get involved in." This work is essential to the community, and Gould takes pride in knowing that his company's projects have a positive impact on people's lives every day. From the storm drains that keep the river clean to the sewage systems that maintain a sanitary living environment, Gould Construction's work is often unseen but always vital.

Gould's commitment to the community is deeply personal. Born and raised in the valley, he attended local schools and returned home after graduating from the University of Colorado Boulder to join the family business. Over the past two decades, he's held nearly every role in the company, becoming president in 2015 and CEO in 2018. Today, Gould Construction employs about 100 people, primarily providing civil infrastructure services between Vail, Aspen, and Grand Junction.

The numbers back that up: the company's projects have improved the quality of life for thousands of people in the valley. For example, the construction of new water treatment plants has ensured access to clean drinking water for residents. However, the question is whether the company can maintain its high standards as it takes on more complex and large-scale projects. As Gould notes, "A lot of what we build is underground, so it's not easy to see, but that's where taking care of our clean water with storm drains that end up making it to the river happens."

Gould's approach to business is shaped by his values and sense of responsibility. He believes in building strong relationships with employees, trade partners, engineers, inspectors, private developers, and public agencies. "We like maintaining those relationships and not having our business be simply a transactional business," he says. This mindset extends to the company's work on public projects, where Gould is acutely aware that taxpayers are the ultimate customers. "The bottom line is that a lot of times our real customer is, in fact, the taxpayer," he says. "We don't take that lightly. We put a large responsibility on ourselves for being responsible with that money."

As the company looks to the future, it's clear that Mark Gould's leadership will continue to shape the infrastructure of the region. With a focus on community, relationships, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, Gould Construction is well-positioned to tackle the complex challenges that come with building and maintaining essential systems. As Gould reflects on his company's legacy, he says, "I find it incredibly rewarding to build something tangible that impacts our community every day with what we build." The company's future success will depend on its ability to navigate the evolving needs of the community, and for now, Mark Gould's vision and values remain at the forefront of Gould Construction's mission. "We like to enjoy our successes together with the entire project team as well as our community," he says, looking out at the valley his family has called home for generations.