Construction shifts to subscription software as Colorado probe and condo law changes reshape market

Colorado, September 23, 2025

News Summary

Contractors are increasingly adopting subscription-based construction software and hardware bundles to lower upfront costs, standardize processes, and keep pace with rapid technology advances. Subscription models convert capital expenses to predictable operational costs, support consistent software versions across crews, and boost productivity. At the same time, a Colorado regulatory probe found falsified lab data at hundreds of oil-and-gas locations, prompting corrective actions and scrutiny of third-party consultants. New Colorado legislation proposing a contractor warranty program and an Oregon bill to ease condo liability pressures could further influence builder risk, insurance and development decisions.

Construction shifts to subscription tech as Colorado lab probe and condo law changes reshape the market

Top lines

Contractors are moving toward subscription-based technology to lower upfront costs, keep pace with fast-changing tools, and make budgeting easier. At the same time, state-level actions in Colorado have focused attention on lab data integrity at oil and gas sites, and new legislation and pending bills in Colorado and Oregon aim to change how condominium construction defects are handled. These three developments are reshaping how builders, owners, and regulators approach risk, cost and technology.

Subscription technology: why contractors are switching

Contractors are leveraging subscription models to cut technology adoption costs and remain ahead of the technology curve. Subscription-based models are an alternative to one-time purchases or perpetual licenses. Subscription models are becoming more common in both professional and personal settings. Consumers are increasingly drawn to the flexibility and convenience that subscriptions provide.

In construction, software and hardware subscriptions offer advantages in cost, predictability, scalability and convenience. Subscriptions can help contractors standardize processes across their organizations and remain at the forefront of technology adoption. They can also help contractors attract new employees in an industry that struggles to recruit younger workers who expect modern tools.

Global Market Insights valued the global construction software-as-a-service market at $13.3 billion in 2023 and projects that market to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 10.8% between 2024 and 2032. Subscriptions bundle hardware and software, maintenance, protection plans, field-to-office integration and cellular connectivity into a single monthly payment or manageable annual cost. This shifts spending from a capital expense to an operational expense and helps contractors control costs while growing.

The subscription approach also supports consistent software versions across crews and machines. Machine control is an existing technology that contractors need to integrate to avoid falling behind. Spreadsheets and paper-based processes put contractors at a disadvantage versus competitors using specialized software. Specialized software benefits include efficiency, accuracy, immediacy and data sharing for estimating, operations, equipment maintenance and financial management.

Subscriptions make it easier to keep all employees and equipment operating on the same updated technology version, aiding standardization of processes, training and support. Subscriptions provide customers with flexible terms, peace of mind and foster collaborative partnerships between technology providers and contractors. Tiered subscription offerings allow companies to buy hardware outright or bring their own hardware and subscribe to chosen levels of software, protection plans and hardware services.

Industry users report productivity gains and crew efficiencies after moving to subscriptions. One civil contractor based in Colorado said the subscription model allowed it to run more jobs per day with smaller crews, keep indirect expenses the same or lower, and keep every operator running on the same platform. Subscriptions also provide technology assurance by helping contractors stay current with fast-evolving innovations such as machine learning, predictive analytics, enhanced user interfaces, and better data processing and reporting capabilities.

Colorado probe finds falsified lab data at oil-and-gas sites

Several oil and gas companies operating in Colorado were ordered to take corrective actions after third-party contractors reportedly falsified data on over 400 sites in Weld County. The Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) announced the issue. Two environmental consultants named in the ECMC announcement are Eagle Environmental Consulting, INC. and Tasman Geosciences.

ECMC said those two consultants submitted falsified laboratory data reports. ECMC said the data manipulation affected soil, groundwater, and inorganic and organic contaminant data for 404 oil and gas locations in Weld County. ECMC issued a Notice of Alleged Violation to seven operators, including Civitas.

Tasman Geosciences reported it discovered altered data associated with a single client in August 2024, advised the client, self-reported the altered data to the state, and said its investigation indicates the data alterations were perpetrated by a single former employee. Tasman said it is taking legal action against that former employee and has implemented corrective measures. Eagle Environmental Consulting, INC. did not respond to inquiries as of the time of reporting.

Some local community groups and nearby residents are monitoring the state action closely because they oppose nearby oil and gas projects and view the probe as potentially relevant to permitting and approval hearings. Several operators who received notices said they are reviewing the details and cooperating with regulators while taking steps to review past reports and strengthen oversight of third-party consultants.

Colorado and Oregon move on condo defect rules

New legislation was sent to Colorado Governor Jared Polis for signature after passage before the state legislative session ended May 7. The bill aims to make construction defect liability insurance more attractive by lowering premiums. If signed, the law would create a warranty program that contractors can opt into.

The proposed warranty program would cover defects at no cost to the homeowner for a minimum of one year for work quality and materials, two years for plumbing and electrical work, and six years for major structural components. The law would require a third-party inspection during construction that will result in a certificate of occupancy and provide for various remedies if a defect is discovered.

Builders and trade groups said they are hopeful but cautious, noting some provisions may not be enough to revive condo construction quickly. Architects and engineers said better warranties and third-party inspections should reduce the number of lawsuits that professionals are pulled into when defects appear, though it could take years to judge how the new processes work and whether additional tweaks are needed.

Legislation pending in Oregon also seeks to address low condo inventory. The Oregon bill encourages new condo development by shortening the timeframe for lawsuits and reducing liability for developers and builders. Oregon House Bill 3746A passed the Oregon House with bipartisan support. House Bill 3746A was awaiting further action in the Oregon Senate Housing and Development Committee at the time of the article.

What to watch next

Watch for more companies adopting subscription packages, which are likely to change how equipment and software are procured and maintained. Monitor follow-up action from the ECMC in Colorado as operators submit remediation plans and as investigation details unfold. Track whether the Colorado warranty program is signed into law, how builders respond, and whether the Oregon measure advances through its committee.

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Key features at a glance

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

Additional Resources

• Denver7: To Catch a Contractor — Colorado customers raise concerns about lack of protections
• Wikipedia: Consumer protection
• Equipment World: Colorado contractor turned a passion into a $10 million business
• Google Search: construction subscription software
• CBS News Colorado: Officials say contractors falsified data at over 400 oil-and-gas sites
• Encyclopedia Britannica: environmental monitoring
• Engineering News-Record: Aiming to jumpstart condo construction — Colorado measure provides incentives for builders
• Google Scholar: construction defect law Colorado
• MileHighCRE: 5 trends shaping Colorado’s construction workforce in 2025
• Google News: Colorado construction workforce 2025

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