Business Details
46 Years
experience
Trusted Civil Engineering Services in Lakewood, CO
Muller Engineering is a mid-sized, employee-owned civil engineering consulting firm headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado. Since 1980, we have specialized in delivering engineering design, program management, environmental planning, and construction management services for transportation, stormwater, floodplain management, water and wastewater utilities, and structural and bridge design projects. Our commitment to engineering excellence and innovative solutions addresses community needs while prioritizing stakeholder engagement, environmental sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. With over four decades of experience, we have grown to 130 employees while maintaining our foundational values of integrity, community responsibility, and employee well-being. Our work spans public sector infrastructure projects, including highways, trails, river recreation systems, and flood control initiatives.We emphasize context-sensitive designs that balance technical precision with ecological stewardship, as evidenced by award-winning projects like the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Venue and the Cherry Creek Corridor Improvement Project. Our employee shareholder model ensures project leadership from corporate stakeholders, fostering long-term client partnerships and technical accountability. Through initiatives like our River Recreation Studio, led by industry expert Rick McLaughlin, we continue to pioneer innovative solutions that enhance community connectivity to natural resources while maintaining an 8-time designation as a Denver Post Top Workplace.
Services
Stormwater Management
River Recreation Design
Transportation Planning
Bridge Engineering
Environmental Permitting
Floodplain Analysis
Utility Design
Construction Management
Hydraulic Modeling
GIS Services
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of specialized expertise in Colorado's civil engineering challenges
- Our employee-owned structure ensures direct stakeholder accountability and project leadership
- We implement patented river recreation technologies with proven safety and durability
- Our multidisciplinary teams handle projects from initial planning through construction management
- We maintain an 8-time Denver Post Top Workplaces recognition for employee satisfaction
What people say
Exceptional collaboration
Technical expertise
Innovative solutions
Proven safety record
Community-focused designs
Services
Stormwater Management
Our stormwater management services address urban runoff challenges through comprehensive floodplain analysis, detention system design, and water quality improvement strategies. We specialize in MS-4 permitting compliance and erosion control measures that protect communities while maintaining ecological balance. With decades of Colorado-specific experience, our team delivers durable infrastructure solutions that withstand extreme weather events while enhancing watershed health.
River Recreation Design
Our river recreation studio creates award-winning whitewater parks and urban riverfronts that combine safety, accessibility, and environmental stewardship. Using advanced hydraulic modeling, we design adjustable wave features and nature-like fish passages that serve both recreational and ecological needs. Projects like the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Venue demonstrate our ability to create flood-resilient facilities that become community economic drivers without requiring maintenance rebuilds.
Transportation Planning
We provide comprehensive transportation planning and design services for urban and rural roadways, including interstate highways and multimodal facilities. Our expertise spans corridor planning, intersection optimization, and complete streets implementation that balances vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle needs. Through CDOT's 1601 Interchange Approval Process and innovative design solutions, we create transportation systems that enhance mobility while minimizing environmental impacts.
Bridge Engineering
Our bridge engineering services cover the full spectrum from initial design to rehabilitation of existing structures. We specialize in both conventional and complex bridges, including pedestrian underpasses, multi-span highway structures, and railroad crossings over waterways. Our team provides comprehensive services including load ratings, construction observation, and safety evaluations that ensure structural integrity while meeting project-specific functional requirements.
Environmental Permitting
We navigate complex environmental regulations through our specialized permitting services for stormwater and transportation projects. Our team prepares NEPA documents, Section 4(f) evaluations, and mitigation plans that balance project needs with environmental protection. By engaging stakeholders early and maintaining compliance tracking systems, we help clients secure necessary approvals while minimizing project delays and ensuring long-term regulatory adherence.
People
Rick McLaughlin
Principal Engineer
With over 40 years of experience, Rick McLaughlin is a nationally recognized leader in river engineering and recreation design. He pioneered innovative whitewater projects including the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Venue and maintains a perfect safety record across all his designs. Holds BS and MS degrees in civil engineering from Colorado State University and Stanford University.
Nancy Lambertson
Principal, Transportation
A 20-year veteran with expertise in transportation planning and design, Nancy Lambertson leads our transportation group. As a licensed professional engineer, she focuses on mentoring junior staff and developing innovative solutions for complex roadway projects while maintaining active involvement in professional organizations.
Joe Juergensen
Principal, Stormwater
With over 20 years at Muller, Joe Juergensen specializes in stormwater management and floodplain analysis. He emphasizes balancing environmental protection with infrastructure needs and leads our efforts to create resilient water management systems that benefit both communities and ecosystems.
Karen Fuhr
Senior Project Manager
Karen Fuhr has progressed from project engineer to senior leadership over her 15-year career. She specializes in transportation design and project management, overseeing complex infrastructure projects from initial planning through construction while maintaining a focus on innovative engineering solutions.
Sara Trout
Project Engineer
A recent graduate with 5 years of experience, Sara Trout focuses on stormwater management and environmental engineering. She applies her expertise in sustainable design to create resilient infrastructure solutions that protect water resources while meeting community needs.
Questions
What areas does Muller Engineering serve?
We primarily serve Colorado with projects extending to Wyoming, Nebraska, and New Mexico. Our local expertise combined with regional experience enables effective solutions across diverse geographic conditions.
What makes Muller's river recreation designs unique?
Our river recreation projects combine patented hydraulic modeling techniques with ecological considerations, creating flood-resilient facilities that require no rebuilds. Led by industry pioneer Rick McLaughlin, our designs prioritize safety, accessibility, and environmental sustainability.
How does Muller handle complex permitting requirements?
Our environmental team specializes in navigating regulatory frameworks through comprehensive NEPA documentation, Section 4(f) evaluations, and stakeholder engagement strategies that ensure compliance while minimizing project delays.
What transportation projects does Muller specialize in?
We handle complete streets design, highway reconstruction, and multimodal facilities including bike/pedestrian infrastructure. Our experience spans urban roadway design, rural corridor improvements, and complex interchange projects requiring specialized traffic engineering solutions.
How does Muller ensure project quality and safety?
Through our employee-owned structure, every project has direct shareholder oversight. We maintain rigorous quality control processes and leverage decades of technical expertise to deliver durable infrastructure solutions with proven safety records.
What career opportunities exist at Muller Engineering?
We offer growth-oriented careers in civil engineering disciplines with mentorship programs and shareholder ownership opportunities. Recognized as a Top Workplace eight times, we prioritize employee development and work-life balance in our Lakewood headquarters.
