Dolores Schools Open Contractors Call As New Campus Rises

The Dolores School District is moving from planning to construction and is inviting local contractors and suppliers to take part. Ground was broken on the combined high school and middle school campus in June 2025, and the district estimates construction will finish in April 2027. The project follows a voter approved bond in November 2023 and a state BEST grant awarded in December 2024, a sequence that allowed the district to begin work less than a year after receiving grant funds.

The district has posted a Build page with project renders, a detailed timeline, frequently asked questions, the design advisory group roster, and links for local firms to express interest. The general contractor hiring agent is Ryan Soerenson with Jaynes Corporation, listed with office and cell numbers on the Build page, o 970-247-1831, c 970-531-2704. Local firms can use that page to register interest and obtain procurement details and submission guidance.

For Dolores County the project represents immediate and medium term economic activity. Construction that spans roughly 22 months from the June 2025 ground breaking to the April 2027 completion implies sustained demand for building trades, materials suppliers, transportation and lodging services where applicable. Because the project was financed through local voter action and a state grant, a larger share of project management and subcontracting decisions will determine how much of those dollars stay in the county. The Build page explicitly encourages local subcontractors to participate, creating an avenue for small firms to access contracts that might otherwise go to nonlocal bidders.

Beyond direct construction employment, new school facilities have downstream implications for the community. Modernized buildings can affect district operating choices, enrollment decisions by families, and local property perceptions that influence the tax base over time. The district has chosen an inclusive procurement approach early in the construction cycle by publicizing renders and timelines and by maintaining a design advisory group, which supports community input into final finishes and site plans.

The timing of approvals and awards is notable. From bond passage in November 2023 to ground breaking in June 2025 the district completed planning and secured funding over 19 months. The BEST grant award in December 2024 preceded ground breaking by about six months, accelerating the project into construction. With an estimated completion in April 2027, local contractors and suppliers have an ongoing opportunity to bid on phased work packages.

Local firms interested in participating should consult the district Build page for details and contact the hiring agent for Jaynes Corporation, Ryan Soerenson, at the listed numbers. As the project progresses, participation by Dolores area subcontractors will be a key determinant of how much the construction brings jobs and revenue to the county.