Colorado’s 2025 ASCE Infrastructure Report Card gives our state’s schools a D+ grade, highlighting critical safety and aging infrastructure challenges. As a structural engineer focused on building assessments, I’m sharing insights from the report and practical, low-cost solutions to address safety and extend the life of existing school buildings, with a cautionary example from Colorado Springs.

What to Consider & When

Prioritize Safety Assessments Now: With 51% of Colorado’s school buildings over 50 years old, conduct structural assessments in 2025 to identify issues like cracks, settlement, or outdated systems. Use the ICC’s IEBI Standard for consistent evaluations to ensure safety without major costs.

Implement Targeted Repairs in 2026: Focus on low-cost, high-impact fixes like sealing cracks, reinforcing walls, and upgrading fire safety systems (e.g., fire doors, extinguishers) to meet International Fire Code standards and extend building life.

Engage Experts Early: By Q1 2026, partner with structural engineers and fire safety officials to develop maintenance plans that prioritize safety and functionality, avoiding the need for costly rebuilds.

What to Be Concerned About

Structural Safety Risks: Aging schools, like Jenkins Middle School in Colorado Springs, face severe issues. In January 2025, Jenkins was closed due to significant cracks in walls, settling floors, and compromised fire safety systems, forcing students to relocate to other schools and disrupting education.

Progressive Deterioration: Cracks and settlement, as seen at Jenkins, can worsen over time, compromising structural integrity and fire safety if not addressed promptly.

Educational Disruption: Unaddressed issues can lead to closures, as with Jenkins, where students were moved to Russell Middle School and Doherty High School, creating logistical challenges and community strain.

Real Solutions for Safety & Longevity

Patch and Reinforce: Use epoxy injections or carbon fiber reinforcements to stabilize cracks in walls and foundations, as seen in Jenkins’ concrete block pilasters, to prevent further damage at a fraction of replacement costs.

Fire Safety Upgrades: Retrofit fire doors and frames to address issues like excessive gaps or misalignment (noted at Jenkins) and ensure accessible fire extinguishers to comply with codes without major renovations.

Preventive Maintenance: Implement regular inspections and minor repairs (e.g., sealing joints, addressing minor settlement) to extend building life, avoiding the “critical point” reached at Jenkins, where years of deferred maintenance led to closure.

Modular Solutions: Use temporary modular classrooms, as considered by District 11, to maintain education continuity during repairs, minimizing disruption to students.

The D+ grade for schools reflects a broader trend of deteriorating building infrastructure across Colorado, where aging structures like Jenkins Middle School highlight the urgent need for proactive, cost-effective maintenance to prevent closures and ensure safe learning environments. Let’s keep our schools safe and operational!