Capital Development Committee approves ADA upgrades to Capitol cafeteria, historic restoration of Governor's Suite

The Capital Development Committee voted to approve recommendations from the Capital Building Advisory Committee to remodel the ground‑level Capitol cafeteria for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility and to undertake a historic restoration of the Governor's Suite. The committee approved the recommendation by a 4–2 vote.

Richard Lee, division director for the Capital Complex in the Division of Capital Assets, told the committee the cafeteria and Governor's Suite projects are in the design and development phase and were added under Senate Bill 22,239 and Senate Bill 24,206. "The ADA upgrades will start with the remodel of the ground level cafe," Lee said, and construction for the cafeteria is anticipated to begin in June 2025 with completion in the fall of 2025.

The cafeteria remodel will remove booths and reconfigure seating to improve public and vendor accessibility, add new millwork, lighting and electrical to support technology needs, and provide USB charging at tables. Lee said the planned layout is intended to meet current ADA codes and that the cafeteria will not include cooking of hot foods that could trigger fire alarms. "Everything will be upgraded to meet current codes of ADA," Lee said.

Lawmakers asked questions about details of the design and finishes. Senator Pelton asked whether receptacles would be provided at the overhead table lighting for people working there; Lee replied, "We are gonna have USB charging on those... I can certainly follow‑up and get back to you on that." Representative Lindsey asked whether reconfiguring seating would change capacity and whether lighting would make the area brighter. Lee said seating will not be reduced and that the project team is exploring brighter LED options for sconces while adding table lighting to offset the area's current dimness.

On the Governor's Suite, Lee said investigators are removing non‑historic paneling and drop ceilings added in the 1970s, documenting finishes and using archival photographs to guide restoration. He described investigative work above the dropped ceilings to identify historic paint, stenciling or original wood flooring that can be refurbished. Lee noted the design team is coordinating with History Colorado on artifacts and reuse. The office will also receive IT and wiring upgrades to clean up cables running across floors.

Committee members pressed for cost clarity. Lee said the funding flows from amounts authorized in Senate Bill 22,239 and Senate Bill 24,206 and that, "within the addle payments, I believe it was roughly 1,000,000, was allocated for the cafeteria and a couple million, if I remember, for the governor's office," adding the projects are currently on budget in design and cost‑verification phases.

A motion to approve the CBAC recommendations was made and the clerk polled the members. The recorded vote was: Senator Henriksen — Yes; Representative Lindsay — Yes; Senator Pelton — No; Representative Winter — No; Senator Mullica — Yes; Madam Chair — Yes. The motion carried 4–2.

The committee asked staff to keep members informed as final construction documents and contractor selection proceed.

Details on timeline, final contract awards and any adjustments to scope will return to the committee as those items are finalized.