Mortenson implicated in Denver bidding probe.

Byline: William Morris

A major project in Denver, Colorado, has been delayed over alleged bidding improprieties by several companies, including Golden Valley-based Mortenson.

The Minnesota construction giant was one of three finalists to build a $223 million expansion to the Colorado Convention Center. On Dec. 11, the city of Denver halted the selection process and fired its program management services contractor, Dallas-based Trammell Crow Co., due to what Denver Mayor Michael Hancock called "a significant breach of the public trust and a willful violation of a competitive bidding process."

Trammell Crow isn't the only company in the city's crosshairs. In a Dec. 21 letter, Denver Executive Director of Public Works Eulois Cleckley informed Mortenson he is suspending the company's prequalification to bid on city projects pending a possible revocation, citing a series of emails between Mortenson and Trammell Crow officials.

The emails in question appear to show Trammell Crow officials providing sensitive procurement documents to Mortenson officials, and exchanging ideas for a series of "live scenario" questions to be asked during a final interview. Mortenson also asks Trammell Crow to pressure city officials to visit another Mortenson project in the area, and to add language to the city's request for qualifications that "would shut down Turner [another bidder]," according to emails provided by the city.

"These communications demonstrate that Mortenson's actions and inactions evidence a lack of integrity in the process of the city's procurement" for the project, Cleckley wrote in his letter.

Hancock has asked the Denver district attorney to investigate the "potentially improper collusion" between Trammell Crow and Mortenson. The city plans to restart the selection process with a new contractor, according to Denver-based 9NEWS.

In an email statement, Mortenson said it is in contact with the Denver...