With heavy hearts, Saunders Construction, Inc. announces the passing of its Founder, Richard “Dick” Saunders, on Friday, November 21, 2025. He was 85 years old.
Few individuals have shaped Colorado’s built environment as profoundly as Dick Saunders, the visionary founder of Saunders Construction. His legacy continues to influence how buildings are delivered, how teams collaborate, and how the company gives back to local communities.
Dick’s construction career began long before he founded Saunders Construction in 1972. After graduating from the University of Denver in the early 1960s, he entered a rapidly evolving industry with an entrepreneurial mindset, a gift for problem-solving, and a belief that construction is ultimately about people.
What began as a one-person operation in the basement of his Englewood home quickly grew into one of Colorado’s most respected construction companies. Dick built the company on four core values he lived every day: care, collaboration, commitment, and community. Those values remain the foundation of Saunders today.
Under Dick’s leadership, the firm steadily expanded its portfolio to include many of the Rocky Mountain region’s most recognizable landmarks. When he stepped down as CEO in 2001, he did so with intention. Dick’s belief in the power of employee ownership also shaped the company’s future. Today, Saunders is a 100% employee-owned organization.
Dick received numerous industry accolades throughout his career, including induction into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Engineering News-Record Mountain States Legacy Award in 2022. Known as a “builder of people, not just projects,” he championed mentorship, leadership development, and pathways that strengthened both individuals and the industry.
Former CEO John Beeble reflected on Dick’s character during his Legacy Award recognition, saying, “Dick has been a guy who’s never, ever said he was going to do something that he didn’t follow through on. That is what makes Dick Saunders who he is, and it’s what makes him unique.”
Dick’s impact extended far beyond construction. A tireless advocate for education, youth development, and mental health, he helped launch Colorado Uplift and served on more than a dozen nonprofit boards, including ACE Scholarships, the Institute for Children’s Mental Disorders, Mental Health America of Colorado, and others. His service earned him major humanitarian awards from Volunteers of America, the University of Denver, the Samaritan Institute, and the Kempe Children’s Foundation.
“While Dick Saunders will most certainly be missed, his impact on our community, industry, and company will be felt for generations,” said Greg Schmidt, chairman & CEO of Saunders Construction. “He created a company grounded in purpose and relationships. We are honored to continue carrying that forward.”
Today, Dick’s legacy lives on in the Denver skyline, in the lives of the people he mentored, in the nonprofits he championed, and in a company that remains deeply committed to building what matters for Colorado’s communities.
