Colorado Metal Building Companies: 2026 Guide & Prices
Colorado is one of the toughest places in the country to design a metal building. Snow loads change from one valley to the next, mountain wind can be brutal, and the Front Range has some of the most active building departments in the West. That's why picking a supplier who knows Colorado matters more here than in most states.
This guide lists Colorado based metal building companies, explains the loads and permits you'll deal with, and gives 2026 price ranges so you can budget before you call anyone. Company details were checked against their own websites in October 2026. The list is alphabetical by region, not a ranking, and no company paid to be included.
Colorado Metal Building Companies
| Company | Location | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Sunward Steel Buildings | Denver | In business since 1972, more than 75,000 buildings supplied |
| Armstrong Steel Buildings | Englewood | Pre engineered steel buildings from its Colorado plant |
| Braemar Building Systems | Englewood | Pre engineered steel buildings |
| Steel Structures America | Monument and Longmont | Design and supply since 1995 |
| Heath Steel | Fort Collins | Steel buildings since 2009 |
| Great Western Buildings | Grand Junction | Western Slope steel buildings |
Sunward Steel Buildings
Sunward is based in Denver and has been in business since 1972. It says it has supplied more than 75,000 buildings, which makes it one of the longest running steel building suppliers in the state. It sells garages, shops, agricultural and commercial buildings.
Armstrong Steel Buildings
Armstrong is headquartered in the Denver area with a plant in Englewood. It sells pre engineered steel buildings nationally, so a Colorado buyer gets a supplier with local engineering knowledge and short freight distances on the Front Range.
Braemar Building Systems
Braemar is also based in Englewood and supplies pre engineered metal buildings for commercial, industrial and agricultural projects.
Steel Structures America
Steel Structures America has been designing and supplying steel buildings since 1995, with locations in Monument and Longmont. That covers both the Colorado Springs area and the northern Front Range.
Heath Steel
Heath Steel is based in Fort Collins and has been in the steel building business since 2009, serving northern Colorado.
Great Western Buildings
Great Western Buildings is based in Grand Junction, which makes it one of the few options with a base on the Western Slope. That can help with freight and site visits in Mesa County and the surrounding mountain counties.
Colorado Metal Building Prices
Steel costs are national, but Colorado buildings often need heavier frames and purlins to carry snow, and labor rates on the Front Range are above the national average. The ranges below use our national kit rates, about $14 to $17 per square foot for a basic building, based on our earlier size guide prices scaled by the rise in the BLS steel mill products index from November 2022 to September 2026 (checked October 2026). Expect Colorado quotes to land at or above the top of each range, especially at higher elevations.
| Size | Sq ft | Kit price | Turnkey price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30x40 | 1,200 | $16,800 to $20,400 | $36,000 to $54,000 |
| 40x60 | 2,400 | $33,600 to $40,800 | $72,000 to $108,000 |
| 50x100 | 5,000 | $70,000 to $85,000 | $150,000 to $225,000 |
| 60x100 | 6,000 | $84,000 to $102,000 | $180,000 to $270,000 |
For a figure based on your exact building, try our metal building cost calculator and pick Colorado as the state.
Snow And Wind Loads In Colorado
Snow load is the big one. Colorado's ground snow loads vary hugely with elevation and terrain, and each county or city sets its own design values. In the mountains, loads can be several times higher than on the plains.
Denver is a good example of how fast this changes. The 2025 Denver Building Code, based on the 2024 International Building Code, raised the city's ground snow load to 43 pounds per square foot, up from 35 under the previous code (checked October 2026). If you got a quote for a Denver building a few years ago, it may not meet today's requirement.
For engineered buildings, designers use the ASCE 7-22 standard and its online hazard tool to look up snow, wind and seismic values for a specific site. Always give your supplier the loads from your building department in writing rather than letting them guess.
What heavier loads change
- Frames and purlins. Heavier members or closer spacing add steel and cost.
- Roof pitch. A steeper pitch helps snow slide off but can create drift loads at lower roofs and lean tos.
- Doors. Large doors in a high wind area need stronger framing and wind rated doors.
- Foundations. Required frost depth for footings varies across the state and is set locally, so ask your building department before the foundation is designed.
Permits In Colorado
Most Colorado counties require a building permit for a metal building above a small shed size, and almost every engineered building needs stamped drawings from an engineer licensed in Colorado. Some rural counties offer agricultural exemptions, but they're usually narrow and don't cover shops, homes or commercial use. HOA rules and county design standards can also limit colors and materials.
A typical process looks like this:
- Confirm zoning and setbacks with your county or city.
- Get the design snow, wind and seismic loads.
- Order engineered drawings from your supplier.
- Submit building and foundation plans for review.
- Schedule inspections for footings, slab, framing and final.
Our metal building permit guide goes into more detail.
Tips For Buying A Metal Building In Colorado
- Order early. Construction season is short at high elevations. Ordering in winter can get your steel on site for spring.
- Plan for snow at doors. Put roll up doors on gable ends or add a canopy so snow doesn't slide onto them.
- Insulate well. Colorado's climate zones call for real insulation, not just a thin blanket. See our insulation guide.
- Think about sun. High altitude UV is hard on paint. Ask about the paint system and warranty.
- Check access. Mountain roads may limit truck size, which can raise freight costs.
Popular Metal Buildings In Colorado
| Use | Typical size | What to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| RV and boat storage | 30x40 to 40x60 | 14 ft doors, taller eaves, snow clear of the door path |
| Horse barns and arenas | 60x120 and up | Wide clear spans, ventilation, heavier roof loads |
| Ski and outdoor gear shops | 40x60 to 50x100 | Storefront glazing, insulation, parking canopy |
| Mountain cabins and barndos | 30x50 to 40x80 | High snow loads, steeper roof, well and septic |
| Ranch equipment storage | 50x100 and up | Large end wall doors, open bays, gravel or slab floor |
How To Choose A Colorado Supplier
Start with suppliers who regularly build in your county. They'll already know the snow load, the local wind exposure and what the plan reviewer expects to see. Ask each one:
- Have you built in this county in the last two years, and can I see a project nearby?
- Are your drawings stamped by an engineer licensed in Colorado?
- What ground snow load, roof snow load and wind speed is this quote designed for?
- Is freight to my site included, and can your trucks reach it?
- Do you work with local erectors, and how far out are they booking?
Get at least three quotes on the same spec, including one from a Colorado based plant and one from a national supplier. That shows whether local freight savings and code knowledge outweigh any difference in base price.
Get Quotes
Compare Colorado suppliers side by side. Get free quotes from metal building companies that serve your area, and give each one the same size, loads and door list.
FAQ
How much does a metal building cost in Colorado?
A basic 40x60 kit runs roughly $33,600 to $40,800 in 2026, and a finished turnkey building about $72,000 to $108,000. Colorado quotes often come in at the high end because of snow loads and labor costs.
What is the snow load in Denver?
The 2025 Denver Building Code sets a ground snow load of 43 psf, up from 35 psf under the previous code.
Do I need a permit for a metal building in Colorado?
Almost always, unless it's a small shed under your county's size limit or qualifies for a narrow agricultural exemption. Check with your county building department.
Are Colorado metal building companies more expensive?
Base steel prices are similar nationwide, but local suppliers can save on freight and design for local loads, which can lower the total cost.
Which Colorado metal building company has been around the longest?
Of the companies we list, Sunward Steel Buildings in Denver has been in business the longest, since 1972.
Can I put a metal building in the mountains?
Yes, but expect much higher snow loads, steeper roofs and tougher access for delivery trucks. Get the design loads from your county before you request quotes.
Sources
- City and County of Denver, 2025 Denver Building Code amendments, checked October 2026.
- ASCE 7-22 Hazard Tool, American Society of Civil Engineers, checked October 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, PPI series WPU1017, checked October 2026.
- Company websites for the companies listed, checked October 2026.
Ready to price your building? Get free metal building quotes from suppliers who serve your area, or use the form on this page and our team will be in touch.