Rio Grande Co Training Facilities

Here is a short video showing off the Rio Grande Co Training Facilities. These are located on the north side of the main facility at 201 Santa Fe Drive in Denver. We are very excited to have such a great venue to train our employees as well as have customer training. This training facility has been used for over 75 training classes in the past 3 years. Enjoy the video and please join us in our next training class. We are just about to get into our busiest training season as we approach winter and the cold months. Our training calendar is being finalized and will be published soon. If you have a training in mind that you would like to see, please send us a note or post a comment here and we will try to add that to our schedule.

Check out Rio Grande Co's line card

Have you ever wonders about all the stuff that Rio Grande Co. does? Check out the Rio Grande Co. linecard. This informative piece shows all the different products and services that are provided by this 103 year old Denver company. Take a look and see if there is something that we can help you with in your building materials and construction needs. Please contact us for a copy of our full line catalog and one of our salesreps will be in contact with you shortly and get you a copy of this great catalog. (303) 825-2211 Vince Mattei.

Wolcott Barbeque a huge success!

Customer appreciation bar-be-que held by Rio Grande Co in our Wolcott location on Wednesday July 28th. We had over 70 people in attendance and were privileged to have a beautifuly warm summer day. The food was great and plentiful for all who were in attendance as well. We were able to introduce our new Wolcott branch Manager Mark Medina who started last week and will be managing the Wolcott location for the future. We are pleased with the great turn out and glad that we were able to share an afternoon with all our friends from the mountains. Thanks!

July 28th - We are having a BBQ in Wolcott!!

You are invited to join Rio Grande Co for a Barbeque at our location in Wolcott. We will be serving Brisket, Hamburgers, Dogs, and all the fixins. We hope that you will be able to make time to come by and see us!!

Rio Grande Co now has full line of Stone Anchors in Stock

Are you looking for Stainless Steel Stone Anchors? Rio Grande Co. now stocks 1/8" stainless steel stone anchors in many popular sizes and shapes. Split-tails, Z-anchors, and U anchors, in 2 1/2", 3 1/2", 4 1/2", and 5 1/2" lengths. We also have the 7" flat split-tail for field fabrication needs. Adequate quantities in stock, and of course, we can always get more! Please feel free to call us at (303) 825-2211 and ask for one of our outside sales stone experts or come by and see us at 201 Santa Fe Drive Denver, CO 80223.

Architectural AIA Open House hosted by RIO GRANDE CO 9/14/2010

On September 14th 2010, Rio Grande Co will be hosting an AIA Open house. All of the listed material manufacturers will be presenting one or more of their AIA approved product programs. Those programs are listed on the back of the invitation, which is pictured here. We strongly encourage all those who are able to join us for this very informative event. We will have catered hors d'oeuvres as well as wine, beer, and drinks. This event will begin at 3 o'clock pm, with AIA presentations beginning at 3:30pm and 5:00pm. This will be an excellent chance to get up-to-date information about all the products and systems listed here. We would love to have you join us and have a chance to mingle for a short time as well as show you around our state of the art showcase showroom. Please RSVP to Vince Mattei at your earliest convenience to save your space at this event. We are excited to spend some time with you and hope you are looking forward to this event as much as we are!

Rio Grande is having a BBQ and open house May 26th 2010

RIO GRANDE CO welcomes you  to our open house and BBQ. We are going to be feeding all our customers and employees and you are invited. We will set up in our yard right in front of the silos and have a great time. Join us for food, drawing / giveaways, and fun on Wednesday May 26th, 2010.

Rio Grande Co Concrete Patching and Repair solutions training May 21, 2010

You are invited to an innovative training class for patching and repair solutions for Concrete. This class will have a hands on portion as well as a classroom presentation. This class will be led by Patrick Lynch of US SPEC. The class is scheduled to run from 10am to 2 pm and will include lunch for all participants. Please RSVP to Vince Mattei at vmattei@riograndeco.com to reserve your space today.
We look forward to having you join us in this great training opportunity.

Masonry Cleaning and Water Repellent Seminar a huge success

We were finally able to hold our Masonry Cleaning and Water Repellent systems class today. We had 15 people here for the class and consider that a huge success considering that we had to schedule three times due to inclimate weather. It has been a tough spring to get these types of things done outdoors. This class had a classroom portion to go over the Prosoco powerpoint program identifying the reasons that it will be hard to clean in the future the same way we will now. The reality is that we will not be able to use chemical cleaning products for much longer. This is going to cause the masons and cleaning contractors to find new ways to make sure their masonry looks sharp when they are finished. In reviewing the appropriate steps to get this cleaning done, Ed Nagel, Prosoco representative was very helpful and instructional. We worked on substrates built of smooth faced block, ground faced block, brick veneer, and manufactured stone. With all the different needs of each of these individual products, Ed was careful to show which ones best suited the needs of that application. Color and bleaching are always issues when using chemicals to clean with as well as the color of the mortar in the joints.

The food and weather were great and we are glad that we were able to host this fantastic and informative class. Thanks for all those that were behind the scenes and put this together!

Rio Grande Co presents our new Decorative Concrete Brochure

Rio Grande Co is pleased to announce that our new Decorative Products Brochure is now available. You can see copies of that brochure here. This piece highlights the different decorative products that Rio Grande Co has available to assist with all your needs in concrete work. We have a full line of Color Hardener and Release by Roca. We also have a full line of sealers and coating products. If you are looking for a stone look then stamping the concrete is a great option. We have a full inventory stamps for sale and rent. We have stamps in our inventory from Brickform and Proline and they are made up of all the popular patterns and sizes. If you find that we do not have a pattern that you are looking for, let us know and we will see if we can add that pattern to our rental fleet. You can find all the daily rental rates for the stamps in the following pages of this Decorative Concrete Products Brochure. We also have a full line of all the tools you will need to finishing your concrete and making your decorative or gray concrete job look perfect. We can supply you will all the reinforcing you need, from rebar, wire mesh, chairs, and dowels, to drill bits and dobbies. We can also help you with your forming products with a full fleet of product for sale and rent. We can provide full foundation forms or curb and gutter forms, with all the stakes and accessories. We have a full line of retaining wall block as well as pavers and sand. We have a full compliment of aggregates to help you get any project that you need done. We have concrete and masonry sand, river rock, pea gravel and others. We also have bagged cement (47lb, 94lb, and 2500lb sacks),  lime, admixes, surface retarders, cures, sealers and many other products. Rio Grande Co can also help you with delivery of all the materials that you need to your job site. We are your one stop shop for everything that you need to get your decorative concrete job done and looking fantastic.  

Masonry Cleaning and Water Repellent Seminar NEW DATE MAY 12, 2010

WE have rescheduled this event due to weather!! Mark your calendars!! Rio Grande Co is going to host a special masonry cleaning and water repellent / sealing seminar on May 12th.  Ed Nagel from Prosoco will lead the hands on demonstrations and show proper methods of cleaning block, colored block, split face block, brick and stone. There will be mock up panels built for a hands-on cleaning. Ed will also demonstrate the application of repellents and sealers. This will be a classroom and hands-on seminar with all the necessary new technical requirements covered.

Lunch will be served as we begin this training class at 12pm. The class is scheduled to run from 12pm to 4pm. This training class will take place in Rio Grande Co's main yard at 201 Santa Fe Drive Denver, Colorado. Please RSVP to Vince Mattei at 303.218.6362 to confirm your space in this seminar. Space is limited and will be reserved on a first come first served basis. We look forward to seeing you there.
I have also posted a map here to show were in the Rio Grande Co. yard this training will take place. Remember to park in the far North East parking lot so we can minimize any congestion in the yard.

Rio Grande Co hosting DSI / DYWIDAG training

Please join Rio Grande Co. and DYWIDAG Systems International (DSI) for an informational seminar highlighting DSI’s geotechnical product range and applications.

Our guest speaker will be DSI’s Geotechnical Business Unit, Chief Engineer, Lucian Bogdan, P.E., who will provide an overview of various solutions for earth retention and foundation support with Tiebacks, Soil Nails and Micropiles utilizing Threadbar®, Multi-Strand Anchors, and Hollow Bar (DYWI Drill) systems, as well as the DYWIDAG Driven Ductile Iron Pipe Piling System.

Where: Rio Grande Co. Training Room

When: Tuesday, April 27, 2010

10:30am – 12:30pm

Lunch will be served.

Please RSVP to Vince Mattei at (303) 218-6362

Rio Grande Co to hold Akrotique training class

Rio Grande Co will be holding a special training class for installation of Omega’s AkroTique finish. AkroTique is a pigmented acrylic sealer designed to create a rustic, mottled finish similar to the timeless beauty of century old plaster. AkroTique offers an “Old World” look that does not take a lifetime to create. We invite you to reserve your space for one of the training classes that has been set up by giving an

RSVP to Vince Mattei at (303) 218-6362 or

vmattei@riograndeco.co

There will be two classes held on

April 20th, 2010. The first will start at 8:00am and go to 11:00am. The second will start at 1:00pm and go to 4:00pm.

We are excited to offer this training class and hope that you will join us for this innovative training experience.

Top Cast Concrete Surface Retarder

If you can place and finish gray, broom concrete, let Rio Grande Co. show you an Architectural alternative.

With a little help from the staff at Rio Grande Co. you can offer your customer an architectural alternative to plain gray concrete.



Top-Cast by Grace is a breakthrough, easy to use concrete surface retarder. Unlike conventional retarders Top-Cast does not need to be covered with plastic or timed. There is no special equipment or training needed.
When used on integrally colored concrete or plain gray Top-Cast offers a comprehensive range of effects from a light acid wash or sand blast up to full depth exposure of 1-1/4” aggregate


Placing and finishing guidelines.
• When using Top-Cast a 6 sack mix is recommended to achieve correct etch (564 lbs cement)
• Mix design will typically contain approximately a 50/50 ratio of coarse to fine aggregate.
• Concrete should be placed between a 4” to 5” slump
• Finishing should be similar to broomed concrete

• When surface is smooth, free of bleed water and firm enough to normally be broomed, Top-Cast should be applied. Application should be earlier versus later.
• Concrete surface must be free of trowel marks or they will show up later

• Apply Top-Cast between 200 to 300 sq. ft. per gallon using a normal Chapin type sprayer
• Once Top-Cast is applied it is not necessary to cover with plastic, unless rainfall is expected before the final wash
• Depending on temperature and setting characteristics of the mix design, Top-Cast can be removed in 4 to 24 hours after application.

• Depending on time of removal a water hose and stiff broom can be used, pressure washer or floor scrubber also work well.

Finish off the job with a high quality sealer. You have a Architectural finish for a few pennies more then a broomfinsh!


The following video is very informative;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xAeq1MAJS8


You can also contact;
Jake Hahn (303)210-9556
AJ Fox (303)901-3068
Or Rio Grande (303)825-2211

Tyvek Installer Certification program well attended

Rio Grande Co hosted RW Specialties/Tyvek and 34 customers representing General Contractors, Owners, and Subcontractors, in a special Tyvek Installer Certification class. This class was held on Thursday February 25th in the Rio Grande Co. Training Center. We were very pleased to have Jim Holt, Tim Gleason, and Herman Lopez, all Tyvek Specialists along with Susanne Griffin, Dupont Regional Manager with us as our trainers. TheDuPont Weatherization Systems Commercial Certified Installer program helps contractors provide superior service and support for general contractors and architects when it comes to installing Dupont Weatherization System products. This comprehensive training program gives you the opportunity to learn installation methods and increase your safety knowledge. Support is offered by DuPont in national print and online advertising in trade publications. Attendees were taught mores about the 10-Year limited Warranty from DuPont and the DuPont Weatherization Systems Certified Installer Marketing Kit that includes advertising and sales materials. All attendees were given a test at the end our our training session to complete their certification. We are happy to report that all the members of this training session were extremely attentive and were able to pass the test. We were able to have a quick bite to eat together four lunch as the program ended at noon and everyone departed back to their various job sites and offices. We are thankful for the participation of all the Rio Grande Co staff as well as RW Specialties staff that helped to make this such a tremendous success. We are grateful to have this kind of support from our vendor partners. Thanks to all the customers that took time out of their busy schedules to come a participate in this certification class as well.

Maps to Rio Grande Co Locations

Rio Grande Co has locations in Denver and Wolcott Colorado. Our main location, showroom, and Design Center are located at 201 Santa Fe Drive Denver, Colorado. We have a full breadth of Construction materials for Masonry, Concrete, Decorative Concrete, Stucco, Stone, Glass Block, Rebar, Cement products, Sealers, Cures, Hand and Power Tools. Our Showroom is second to none with a huge selection of construction products for you to select from. Our inside sales staff is very knowledgeable and will quickly assist you with all your product needs. If we do not have what you need in our facility we have great special order capability and will find product or solutions that you are looking for. Please feel free to call us today at (303) 825-2211.







Our Rebar Fabrication Facility is just down the street from the main facility. There we have a full supply of concrete accessories and equipment to fabricate rebar to meet specifications that are detailed.

Our Wolcott location is just a few miles east of Vail and supplies the mountain area with all the same products that are available in our main location. Hunter Richards is our mountain yard manager and is happy to assist you with all your material needs. He can be reached at (970) 524-1124. The address to the Wolcott location is 208 Highway 131 Wolcott, Colorado. Give us a call or come see us today. We want to help you with all your construction materials needs.

Rio Grande Co. is hosting Tyvek and their Certified Installer Training course. This course will be held at the Rio Grande Co. training room on Thursday February 25th. We will start at 8am and attendees will participate in classroom and hands-on instruction. The DuPont Weatherization Systems Commercial Certified Installer program helps you provide
superior service and support for general contractors and architects when it comes to installing
Dupont Weatherization System products. This comprehensive training program gives you the
opportunity to learn installation methods and increase your safety knowledge. You will learn
more about support offered by DuPont in national print and online advertising in trade publications.
You will learn more about the 10-Year limited Warranty from DuPont. You will receive
a DuPont Weatherization Systems Certified Installer Marketing Kit that includes advertising
and sales materials. There will be an exam following the training and all who pass will be given credentials as certified Tyvek Installers. Instruction for this class will be given by DuPont / Tyvek technical staff
and supported by RW Specialties and Rio Grande Co. We look forward to
having you join us for this informative training session, please RSVP to Vince Mattei at vmattei@riograndeco.com or call (303) 825-2211. Space is limited so call and reserve your space today!

Rio Grande Co hosted Prosoco in presenting their R-Guard® Liquid applied air barrier product on Thursday February 18th. With over 30 people in attendance, this was a great success. Gene Bollinger and Ed Nagel representing Prosoco presented the application process for this innovative air barrier product. The system eliminates water and air intrusion issues PROSOCO R-GUARD® Spray Wrap is a fluid-applied, ready-mixed, flexible acrylic coating to be applied to structural sheathing or CMU backup to prevent penetration of liquid water. Spray Wrap is part of the PROSOCO R-GUARD® systems for stopping destructive air and moisture leakage through cavity wall masonry veneer construction, as well as in stucco, EIFS and all other building wall assemblies.

Compared to conventional sheet barriers, easy-to-use PROSOCO R-GUARD® systems provide superior protection against penetration of wind driven rain, while minimizing potential for condensation within the wall cavity. As part of a continuous, building-wide air barrier system, PROSOCO R-GUARD® is effective even at vulnerable seams, fasteners, roof and foundation connections, and window and door openings. PROSOCO R-GUARD® maximizes the R-values, reduces heating and cooling costs and lowers the risk of mold and mildew. Rio Grande Co has the R-GUARD product in stock and available for immediate delivery. Please feel free to contact us for more information or pricing at (303) 825 - 2211 and ask for a sales representative or email Gordon at glundell@riograndeco.com today!
A special thanks goes out to Prosoco for helping to make this training class such a success. Also thanks to all the Rio Grande Co employees who worked on this project as well!

R-Guard Training Class Coming Feb. 18th!

Rio Grande Co would like to invite you to attend a training class on Prosoco's R-Guard Air and Water-Resistive Barrier product. This class will take place in the Rio Grande Co Training center. We invite everyone to attend and would ask that you rsvp as soon as possible as space is limited for this class. The class will start at 11am and go to 1pm on February 18th 2010. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to Vince Mattei at (303)218-6362 or vmattei@riograndeco.com We look forward to having you with us for this informative training.

Rio Grande Open House (January 12, 2010)

Rio Grande Co hosted an exciting Open House event on Tuesday night, January 12th, 2010. There were about 70 people that attended from many different companies including Architects, Engineers, Subcontractors and General Contractors. There were many give away items and even a drawing for 2 $50 gift cards for dinner at Maggiano's and Racine's. There were 9 vendors who set up displays and talked about their products and systems. We had the following Vendors Representatives in attendance: David Minor, Pat Lynch and Bryan Smith from US Spec, Tom Cuneio from Trenwyth, Ed Nagel with Prosoco and Mortar Net, Jack Mosley with Eldorado Stone, Shirley Schaefer and Daren Petersen from Omega, Keith Behling from Pittsburgh Corning, John Striednig and Walt Stivers from Laticrete, and Dirk Quartemont from Cooperstone. These vendors' representatives were joined by the employees of Rio Grande Co's Commercial and Residential Divisions. The food and drinks were great as we were able to spend the evening sharing stories and building relationships and talking about products and systems. We are very grateful for each of the Contractors and Architects that made time to spend with us, as well as the time and energy spent by our loyal vendors to support this event. None of this would have been possible without the support of the staff and management at Rio Grande Co. Thanks to all for a great time!! We will be having another open house on the 6th of April and look forward to that event being as successful as this one. Please let us know today if you would like to take part in this coming event. We require an RSVP to Vince Mattei at (303) 218- 6362 for all who wish to be there with us. In our next event, we will be offering AIA credits in conjunction with each of the vendors that will be participating. We will start the event at 3pm and at 3:30pm all the vendors will begin a 1 hour presentation that will allow anyone looking for AIA continuing education credits to be awarded those at the end of the presentation. We will schedule time so that it will be possible for each architect to receive 2 hours of credits from any of the participating vendors. Many of the programs also award HSW and other credits. A full list of the programs being offered will accompany the invitation which will be delivered and posted here approximately 6 weeks before the 6th of April. We look forward to seeing you there.

Rio Grande office/warehouse open in Vail Valley

Rio Grande Co has opened an office in the Vail Valley. We are located at 208 Highway 131 in Wolcott. (north of I70 at exit 157) Hunter Richards is our Manager and can be reached at (970) 222-9185. We have a warehouse full of products to help you with all your construction needs. We also have delivery trucks and truck mounted forklifts to meet your delivery needs. Feel free to contact us today. We look forward to doing business with you!