Denver Water

A resource to sustain life, water’s journey from the high peaks of Colorado to the city scene in Denver is the storyline told through our curated sculpture collection at the newly-renovated, 35-acre Denver Water campus. Our team commissioned three large-scale, outdoor sculptures, each inspired by the company’s rich history and nationally recognized, innovative approach to providing sustainable resources to the Mile High City and its surrounding areas.  

The objective of the collection was twofold. First, we aimed to develop an artistic experience that would define the Denver Water campus and foster an environment of safety, security, and wellbeing for employees – measures to attract and retain the best workers in the water utility industry. Second, we worked to create a public facing collection that would help locals and visitors better understand and appreciate Denver Water’s mission to be a responsible steward of our planet’s natural resources. This required early integration in the project’s development, allowing our team to work with engineers to ensure the sculptures could be properly illuminated and visible at all times of day. Thanks to this visibility and the creativity of  Denver-based sculptor Rik Sargent and British artist David Harber, the sculptures accomplish these objectives and more, conveying a sense of pride, stability, and permanency among the campus and community. 

In his piece, “Forests to Faucets,” Rik Sargent demonstrates a deep understanding of Denver’s water pathways, from wild mountain streams to the faucets of local citizens. The sculpture was co-created by Denver Water employees, who molded forests, animals, and notable water system sites into Sargent’s clay model, identifying important landmarks and infusing personal stories into the installation.  . By marrying vision and artistic talent with historical knowledge of the company’s projects, the installation celebrates Denver Water’s admirable commitment to being a leader in sustainable utility operations and stewardship.  

In addition, British artist David Harber designed two stainless steel sculptures that resemble the shape and flow of water, each measuring more than 20 feet tall. His “Hydra” sculpture captures water’s dynamic movement, and its seven twisting “branches” were inspired by the mythical, multi-headed Greek serpent monster also named Hydra. In contrast, Harber’s “Water Droplet,”  brings awareness to the ripple effects caused by one single droplet of water, illustrating the company’s larger impact on the water utility industry in Colorado and beyond.