BOZEMAN, MT — CTL|Thompson, Inc. (CTL), a full-service geotechnical, structural, environmental and materials engineering firm based in Denver, Colorado, has opened a satellite office in Bozeman, Montana.

The new office will allow CTL to provide construction observation and materials testing services, engineering investigation and design services to assist development, design and construction companies in the region. The new satellite office was established in cooperation with Western Materials Testing, located in Bozeman.

CTL has provided geologic and geotechnical engineering services for large-scale development at the Big Sky and Moonlight Basin ski areas. The company’s goal is to provide increased engineering support for clients and projects in the residential, commercial and municipal markets of Big Sky, Bozeman and the surrounding regions.

James D. Kellogg, PE, is the Manager of CTL’s operations in Montana. Kellogg has more than 20 years of experience in engineering consultation for mountain development and construction and water resource engineering. Ryan Demars, E.I.T., a Billings native and graduate of Montana State University in Bozeman, is the Primary Field Engineer for CTL’s Montana work.

“Over our 48-year history, we have accumulated a great deal of engineering experience with development and construction in challenging mountain environments in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah, as well as specific knowledge of the Big Sky and Bozeman areas,” Kellogg said. “Establishing an office in Bozeman allows us to utilize our expertise and experience and go a step further by providing construction observation and materials testing as projects move from the design phase to construction. We look forward to integrating into the high level of architectural, design and engineering talent in the area.”

CTL will share office and laboratory space with Western Materials Testing. The two companies have formed a mutually beneficial relationship that will expedite and expand the services they provide to clients. Bozeman staff will handle most field and laboratory work. More specialized materials testing can be conducted by experts at CTL’s Denver-based lab, one of the only labs in the country with fly ash and cement analysis and expertise.

“Western Materials has a solid reputation in the region, and its owners, Craig Paulson and Tyler Miller, are excellent to work with,” Kellogg said. “Together, we offer a full range of engineering, construction observation and materials testing solutions to support the area’s rapid growth.”

Senior Principal Engineer John Mechling, PE, will work closely with Kellogg and Demars. Mechling established CTL’s Glenwood Springs, Colorado, division in 1985. He brings more than 40 years of experience in mountain development, with particular expertise in ski area development and construction, and has been working with large developers in the Big Sky ski area for the past five years. Recently CTL has worked on projects in Spanish Peaks Lodge, Ulery’s Lake, Lee’s Pool and Inspiration Point.

“Our professional involvement in Big Sky stems from relationships with key folks who were part of the redevelopment of Aspen Highlands Ski Area 25 years ago,” Mechling said. “As our contacts became involved with projects in Big Sky, they turned to us because of their trust in our geologic and geotechnical expertise. As development continues, we want to support our clients with construction observation and materials testing. Opening an office in the Big Sky/Bozeman area made sense.”

CTL|Thompson employs 255 technical and nontechnical employees and provides expertise in small- and large-scale projects. Along with its headquarters in Denver, the firm also has offices throughout Colorado in Fort Collins, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Glenwood Springs and Summit County as well as in Cheyenne, Wyoming and Bozeman, Montana.