Nicola Upright Honored for Four Decades in Transportation Construction

Starting as a tester and inspector with the Colorado Department of Transportation, Upright climbed the ranks to manage high-stakes projects across the state. Her portfolio includes critical infrastructure efforts such as the reconstruction of bridges following the 2013 Colorado floods and a major 30-mile realignment project that utilized 160,000 tons of asphalt. These roles required precise oversight of project budgets, materials testing, and coordination between diverse teams and government agencies.

Beyond her technical achievements, Upright has prioritized industry advocacy and community support. She served five years as the founding president of Women of Asphalt Colorado and established a charitable initiative nineteen years ago that has distributed over $250,000 to employees and their families. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Colorado State University, she currently manages transportation projects from her base in Loveland, focusing on the development of the next generation of industry professionals.