2025 Booklover's Ball Honorary Corporate Co-Chair: GH Phipps Construction Companies
GH Phipps has been a steadfast partner of the DPL Friends Foundation and a vital supporter of the Booklovers Ball since 2020. As the general contractor for the multi-phase renovation of the Central Library, GH Phipps led critical improvements to modernize and preserve one of Denver’s most iconic buildings. Their work enhanced safety, accessibility, and the overall visitor experience, transforming the central atrium into an open, welcoming hub and creating a stunning new public event venue.
President Todd Ruff reflects on the experience with deep personal meaning, “We were awarded the project in December 2019, and then the world changed. As we emerged from the isolation of the early pandemic, we began working side by side inside the library. In many ways, our process mirrored the community’s own reacclimation. It reminded us that we were part of something much bigger than ourselves. That alignment with the mission of the library spoke to our shared humanity. It was emotional to see it all come together at the grand opening.”
For GH Phipps, supporting the Library and the Friends Foundation is about more than the physical structure; it’s about impact. “We’ve been part of this journey since 2020,” Ruff said. “Seeing how this space brings people together, how it helps the community thrive—it’s incredibly rewarding. What’s interesting is how passionate everyone is—on both sides. It’s infectious. It makes you want to be part of it.”
GH Phipps’ core mission is to enrich the lives of their employees, clients, and communities. That mission came to life through their work at Central. “This project gave us the opportunity to live out our values; to have a deep, real impact. It’s not every day you find that level of alignment between your work and your purpose.”
The renovation also brought about a profound physical transformation. “The first time I walked the job, everything felt closed off and disjointed. It was a library, yes—but a collection of separate parts. Now, it feels like one cohesive space. Open, continuous, welcoming. There’s a literal and emotional connection that wasn’t there before. It feels like home.”
When asked what he hopes people will feel when they walk through the new Central Library, Ruff said: “I hope people feel warmth, equity, and inclusion. That sense of being part of something. It’s a space where people can grow, connect, and feel like they belong.”
To fellow business leaders, his message is simple:
“At the end of the day, it’s just incredibly rewarding to help bring people together and support organizations that help others grow. That’s what the Denver Public Library does so well. To me, it’s always felt like the right thing to do.”
We proudly recognize GH Phipps for their unwavering partnership, commitment to innovation, and role in bringing the Central Library and the community it serves into a bold and inspiring new chapter.
