It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of a good friend, longtime CRA member and colleague in the roofing industry. 

Our deepest sympathy & condolences to his family, friends and former associates and co-workers.

Alfredo M. Ramos passed away at home, surrounded by family, on February 16, 2026, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

He devoted 38 years to the roofing industry, beginning his career in 1974 with Doyle Roof Masters in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After relocating to Fort Collins, Colorado, he continued his work with B&M Roofing and later with The Douglas Colony Group, retiring in 2012. In retirement, he remained active as a consultant for his son’s business, The Ramos Roofing Company.

Beyond his profession, Alfredo had a lifelong passion for horses, a love that began in his youth. He enjoyed traveling in his later years and treasured time spent with his family.

Alfredo was a devoted husband, father and patriarch. He is survived by his wife, Amada; his sons, Alfredo Ramos Jr. and Ismael Ramos; his daughters, Gina, Elizabeth and Maura; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A man devoted to family and roofing. He will be deeply missed.

Memorial information

Services will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026 with details as follows:

Mass

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

715 Cabrini Dr.

Lafayette, CO 80026

Reception

1:30 p.m.

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

715 Cabrini Dr.

Lafayette, CO 80026

Reception will begin immediately after the graveside.

Obituary/share condolences: Click to view full obituary notice.

This year's lineup includes sessions on custom fabrication, sustainability, low-slope detailing and growing your metal business. 

METALCON has a reputation for having something for everybody. This year’s tradeshow certainly lives up to the hype with new and unique learning opportunities on the show floor and off.

Metal without limitations

Steve Clisset of Dragon Armor Shingles in Hotchkiss, Colo., will present Sacred geometry and metal roofing: A match made in heaven (1:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 22), focusing on a recently completed signature project. All of Clisset’s projects are unique because the metal roofing shingles for every project are fabricated for that project and that project alone.

“We want architects and engineers to realize that they have the go-ahead do design anything they want to,” says Clisset, who has more than 50 years of metal experience. “We want them to design it and then we’ll make our stuff fit the design. For too long, there have been limitations in the industry. This creates a new design freedom.”

Dragon Armor Shingles has developed a method to fabricate metal to fit any design. Clisset says he is currently using battery-powered shears but has plans to soon be fabricating shingles with a CNC machine.

“We can adjust the size of any shingle by as little as 1/16th of an inch and we can make those changes vertically or horizontally,” he says. “These shingles fit exactly edge to edge and because they are smaller, they are affected a lot less by expansion and contraction or oil canning.”

Dragon Armor offers lifetime warranties on its installations. Clisset, who cut his teeth in the Denver area fixing poorly installed and leaking metal roofing, believes if a metal roof is properly installed, it won’t leak. “Metal roofs that leak were installed by someone who doesn’t know how to install it properly or doesn’t care, or both.”

To his credit, Clisset authored the Colorado Roofing Association’s education curriculum and has served as the sole instructor for five years. Dragon Armor was recently chosen to restore Fort Yellowstone.

Pathways to net-zero

Amanda Turner, CEM, LEED AP, O+M, BD+C, ID+C, GPCP, a sustainability specialist for Cornerstone Building Products, is presenting Steel solutions for sustainable building design: Pathways to net-zero (1:15 p.m., Wednesday, October 22). Turner is delivering a strong message about the benefits of building with metal and its effectiveness in helping projects achieve sustainability goals.

“Steel is more than just a durable building material; it is also a powerful tool for assisting with achieving net-zero goals,” she says. “When we combine steel’s inherent attributes like recyclability and strength with smart design strategies such as high-performance envelopes, renewable energy integration and circular economy practices, metal buildings become a cornerstone of sustainable, future-ready construction.

“Steel is central to achieving net-zero goals. By shifting steel’s perception from a traditional structural material to a proactive sustainability solution, attendees will learn that metal buildings are a credible pathway toward climate and energy goals. Net-zero isn’t a distant goal; it’s a direction we can build towards right now.”

The learning objectives of the session include applying strategies using insulated metal panels, cool roof technologies and advanced coatings, as well as understanding recent advancements in steel manufacturing, including low-carbon production methods and recycled content to reduce embodied carbon.

Low-slope detailing

Alex Prothmann, a fully licensed 308A sheet metal trainer, will present Low-slope detailing workshop (1-5 p.m., Tuesday, October 21) in a hands-on format to expose attendees to basic level low-slope details and transform the perspective on sheet metal possibilities and how it applies to a roof.

“Low-slope detailing needs to be able to retain water effectively enough for slow-draining water to make its way down the roof avoiding pitfalls such as capillary action,” Prothmann says. “Water on steep-slope is pulled on by gravity enough to cascade water effectively down the roof at a rate that makes it possible for steep-slope details.

“I want everyone to realize that there are more possibilities with metal roofing than they originally thought. It’s important to focus on proper detailing because water doesn’t flow fast enough for effective water shed.”

How to grow your metal roofing business

The Metal Roofing Alliance is sponsoring a session on Growing your metal roofing business (10:15 a.m. Wednesday, October 22).

Three business owners will discuss what they have learned in this growing industry. As demand continues to rise, how can metal roofing contractors position themselves to be a part of that growth?

“When you start your own business, there are a lot of questions and you may feel lost,” says Gabriela Sarabia, CEO/founder of S&S Construction Services in Denver. “I want to target the resources out there that are available to get you started.”

The objectives of this session are to implement proven sales strategies to grow a client base and develop a plan to anticipate your company’s growth over the next year.

“Metal isn’t for just anyone,” says Richard Pruden, vice president of Pruden Roofing in Stockton, California. “It’s for those who want to take their craft to the next level. It can be extremely rewarding and profitable if it’s handled with pride from the contractor. It has the potential to set you apart from standard contractors that don’t want to take the time and learn how to grow.”

About METALCON

METALCON is the largest international event in the metal construction and design industry. Established in 1991, it’s the only annual tradeshow and conference devoted exclusively to the application of metal in design and construction. Each year, contractors, architects, developers, owners, installers, fabricators, manufacturers and suppliers from more than 50 countries attend. 200+ leading companies exhibit the latest products, solutions and game-changing technologies. Produced by PSMJ Resources, Inc., in partnership with the Metal Construction Association, METALCON’s success is based on a dynamic exhibit hall, extensive educational programs and interactive learning opportunities. For information, visit www.metalcon.com or call 800-537-7765.

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Colorado Roofing Association warns roofing contractors of real estate scams.

Roofing contractors are being warned of a growing scam trend that targets homes listed for sale. According to the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA), fraudulent individuals are posing as property owners or their representatives to authorize roofing work on homes that are listed for sale. Once the work begins or is completed, these fraudsters disappear without paying, leaving contractors unpaid and homeowners unaware that any work was authorized in the first place.

The scam typically unfolds when a contractor is contacted via email or text message by someone claiming to be a relative of the homeowner or the representative of a company that owns the home. These contacts may include urgent requests for roof repairs or replacements, often using pressure tactics to rush the job, when, in reality, the person has no legal right to request the work. After the work is performed, contractors are left chasing payments from clients who turn out to be fictitious or unrelated to the actual ownership of the property.

What makes these scams particularly effective is the timing. When a home is listed for sale, there is often urgency surrounding inspections and repairs. Fraudsters take advantage of this urgency to convince contractors that their work is needed immediately, and that payment will follow once the sale goes through. In some cases, the actual homeowner or real estate agent may not be aware that a contractor has even been on the property.

To protect against these scams, roofing professionals are advised to take a few critical steps. First, always verify the identity of the person requesting the work. If the property is listed, contact the official listing agent and check public property records to ensure that the person making the request has authority. It is also essential to require signed contracts that clearly outline the scope of work, payment terms and the name of the authorized property owner. Never begin work based solely on text or email correspondence, especially if the client avoids phone calls or refuses to meet in person.

Avoid starting work without a deposit and be cautious of clients who resist traditional business practices such as written agreements or proof of ownership. Always communicate through official channels and keep detailed records of all correspondence and agreements. If you suspect fraud, report it immediately to local authorities and notify your local association or similar industry associations so that other professionals are warned.

These fraudulent individuals continue to develop their tactics, and it is just not in Colorado. Awareness and due diligence remain the best defense. By staying informed, verifying client identities and following secure business practices, roofing contractors can protect themselves while ensuring that legitimate homeowners and agents are served with professionalism and trust.

It is with great sadness that we report the loss of a good friend, longtime CRA Member and colleague in the roofing industry.

The family of Guy E. Smith announced his unexpected passing on December 26, 2024 at the age of 65. He died at home of a sudden heart attack. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family, friends and former associates and co-workers.

Born in Clovis, New Mexico, Guy moved to Colorado in 1990 and became the owner/president of GBS Enterprises Roofing. He started his career on a tear-off crew over 40 years ago and worked his way up to become the successful owner of his company, which he founded in 1998 and ran for 35 years. A long-time member of the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA), Guy was a respected figure in the state’s roofing community.

Outside of roofing, he had a passion for anything with a motor, including tractors, motorcycles and boats. He cherished family moments at Ute Lake and loved grilling steaks for his loved ones. Most recently, he enjoyed his vacation home in Cape Coral, Florida.

Guy was a loving father, husband and patriarch, leaving behind his wife Barbara, son Taylor (Taris), daughter Savanah, stepchildren Andrea (Adam) and David (Carly) and many grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers David (Teri) and Larry, stepmother Yvonne, stepsister LaRonda and numerous nieces and nephews.

Guy was a dedicated Christian, finding peace in Bible reading, which he shared with his son Taylor daily. His spiritual growth in his final year brought great comfort to his family. Guy always gave a friendly hello and made everyone feel welcome. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.

A service will be held on Friday, January 10th, at 2:00 p.m. at Summit Church in Sedalia, Colorado. For those unable to attend in person, Guy’s service will be live-streamed at the following link: Guy Smith Service Live-Stream. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Guy's name to Compassion International, an organization he and Barbara supported for years.

By Evelyn Witterholt. 

Bob Behrends Roofing, LLC has agreed to donate time and labor to the organization’s ‘Roof Over Your Head’ program. 

Everybody needs a roof, but when the roof you have needs repairs and you’re low on funds, this can be a difficult situation. With some asphalt roofs costing around $9,000 — and more if you include labor — this is not feasible for many homeowners. That’s why the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA) and Habitat for Humanity have created the ‘Roof Over Your Head’ program to give back to their community with no-cost roof repairs and replacements. Bob Behrends Roofing, LLC, is one of many roofing companies that has donated their time to the cause. 

The mission of the ‘Roof Over Your Head’ program is to help families in Colorado who are in need of roof replacements. The goal of the program is to connect Habitat for Humanity building projects with local contractors who will help families get a roof over their heads. Bob Behrends Roofing has donated time and expertise to help a Loveland resident get a new roof installed with GAF shingles.  

Bob Behrends Roofing, LLC is a well-known roofing contractor in the Colorado region. They are a Platinum Preferred Roofing Contractor of Owens Corning and a TAMKO MasterCraft Pro Certified Contractor. They have also worked with Owens Corning for their Roof Deployment Program, which helps military families across the nation get new roofs at no cost to them. 

Doug Kerstetter, an estimator and warehouse manager at Bob Behrends, has stated that their company loves giving back to a community that has done so much for them. "We appreciate our local communities supporting us," he said. “Helping those in need, is our way of giving back." 

Photo credit: Colorado Roofing Association

It is with deepest sympathy we report the loss of a good friend and colleague in the roofing industry, Clayton "Clay" Trapp.

Clay Trapp (42) passed away on February 20, 2023 in Golden, Colorado. Clay was a Sales Manager for Decra Roofing and a constant for many years at our annual Trade Show. We'll remember his friendly greetings and hearty laugh.

Clay graduated from Forest Hills Central and was a All-State Linebacker (along with his brother Clint). Clay graduated from Hope College, Holland, Michigan with a business degree. Finally settling in Golden, Colorado.

Clay was an avid sports parent (usually outcoaching the coaches) and was so proud of his kids and all their accomplishments. He enjoyed the mountains, working on his home or condo, and spending time with his family. He loved/hated The Bears and was a masterful Chef in the kitchen. Clay instantly filled a room with laughter. A true original.

Clay was preceded in death by his parents Scott and Jeri Trapp, along with grandparents Albert & Betty Trapp. He is survived by his wife of 19 years Sara Jean Trapp, and his three children, Elizabeth, Abigail and Joshua. He is also survived by: his sister Courtney (Gabe) Johnson and their children Henry and Vera; his brother Clinton (Deanna) Trapp and their children Ben, Bella and Ryan; his in-laws Christopher (Diana) Gray, his brother-in-law Christopher M (Stacy) Gray; along with many uncles, aunts, cousins and good friends. 

May Clay rest in peace.

By Anna Lockhart. 

CRA awards notable Colorado roofing businesses for their contributions to the community. 

On February 23, 2023 the Colorado Roofing Association held its 22nd annual CRA Awards Dinner where they honored outstanding individuals and companies in the Colorado roofing community.  

The Colorado Roofing Association (CRA) is a non-profit organization that is devoted to uplifting and preserving the roofing industry in the state of Colorado. Since its founding in 1978, CRA has made significant change in the community. In honor of the individuals and companies in the state for their hard work, CRA has hosted the Annual Dinner Awards. Congratulations to the 2022 winners! 

2022 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: Jeff Johnson 

CRA recognizes a very special individual each year who has made a difference in the roofing industry. The 2022 award went to Jeff Johnson, owner and president of The Roofing Company. Watch his nomination and award video here! 

Each year, CRA also awards “Jobs of the Year” to different companies, separated by divisions by the cost of the particular job the company was nominated for. Congratulations to those who won!  

Division I: Job of the Year – Under $150,000 

First place | Academy Roofing, Inc. - Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, watch here 

Second place | Black Roofing & Waterproofing - Arestua Hut - Guinn Mountain, watch here 

Division II: Job of the Year – $150,001 to $450,000 

First place | Kudu Roofing - The Rady Residence, watch here 

Second place | Roof Check, Inc. – The Hiwan Museum, watch here 

Division III: Job of the Year – $450,001 to $850,000 

First place | The Roofing Company - The Homestead at Snowmass, watch here 

Second place | Sweet Roofing - University of Colorado Sewall Hall, watch here 

Division IV: Job of the Year – Over $850,001 

First place | Horn Brothers Roofing, Inc. - Bear Paw Lodge, watch here 

Second place | Interstate Roofing, Inc. - The Timbers Club, watch here 

Special Recognition also went to RTP Roofing Co. for the First Timer Award Submission. 

Learn more about CRA in their Coffee Shop Directory or visit coloradoroofing.org.

By Cass Jacoby.  

This Granby company scores the Colorado Roofing Associations Job of the Year award.  

For over 20 years, the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA) has seen and showcased some incredible jobs and has honored many amazing individuals. This year, Job of the Year award was given to The Roofing Company for their Division IV (jobs over $850,000) contest for their work on the Vail Mountain View Condos in Vail. 

A testament to the company’s talent in tackling difficult jobs in the Colorado mountains, The Roofing Company faced numerous obstacles on this new construction project, which began in January 2021 and took over ten months to complete. See for yourself in this video of the project!

Evan Johnson, highlights in his interview that this was an extremely challenging mountain job. Since the work started in the dead of winter, back-to-back storms pushed deliveries out, cancelled cranes and closed down the highway to access the jobsite. 

“Snow had accumulated over 220 inches and required the crews to complete over 280 hours of snow removal to complete the metal roof sections,” Evan shares with Sky-Hi News. “Just getting crews to the jobsite was a task. Vail Mountain View provided zero parking at the job site. Our crews had to drop off all tools for the day, and, if they were lucky, find parking six blocks away. The next available parking was in Gypsum.” 

To add to the challenge, the jobsite was in close proximity to everyone driving up and down a major highway for 10 months, and offered no ground storage for the shipment of materials.  

“Lastly, the roof assembly/vented nail base has over five additional steps. The vented nail base system cannot have any moisture between the components and is a very time sensitive system to install material,” explains Evan. “Each step had to be finished same day and crews could not walk off (the) job site until steps were completed.” 

The Roofing Company obviously earned their first spot position for this tricky job that required untold hours of planning and all of this was done while under pandemic mandates. The win was not only scored based on the challenges of the project, but also on safety. Safety was paramount as the crew members battled ice and snow in the winter months, especially while spending almost 300 hours shoveling snow from the roof.  

Two horizontal lifeline cable systems were installed at the peak allowing individual fall arrest equipment to be used, which helped keep crew members working safely even on the small areas that were sometimes only two feet wide. 

Evan says that the secret to the Roofing Co.’s success is in the people who worked on the project. “It was The Roofing Co. project coordinator’s job to order and organize delivery of over 200 different parts and pieces. Several project managers made sure each piece was installed correctly and in the right order,” says Evan. “And most importantly, our crews who get on the roof on a minus 10-degree day and continue to work in grueling weather and meet incredibly hard deadlines.” 

With employees like these, it is no wonder why The Roofing Company took home the top honor of Job of the Year! 

Stay up to date with the latest roofing industry news when you sign up for the RCS Week in Roofing e-news. 

About Cass  

Cass works as a reporter/writer for RoofersCoffeeShop, AskARoofer and MetalCoffeeShop. When she isn’t writing about roofs, she is putting her Master degree to work writing about movies and dancing with her plants.    

Photo credit: Sky-Hi News

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter. 

In honor of Women's History Month, we celebrate some women-led businesses in the roofing.

Roofing is an overwhelmingly male occupation. Whether contractor or crew, the majority of workers are typically men. The U.S. Department of Labor considers roofing a male-dominated profession, but that doesn’t mean women in roofing are unicorns. Take Marianne Sumter, owner of Wil-Mar Products, as proof of how women are not only present in the roofing industry, but are essential to its success.  

With a desire to continue her husband’s legacy, Marianne became the owner of Wil-Mar Products, stepping into a leadership role in a male-dominated industry. And she has successfully led the company with strength and expertise. To this day, Marianne continues to provide excellent customer service, meet the demands of the industry and develop lasting relationships with women. 

And there are even more stories of women revolutionizing the roofing industry. Women now fill positions ranging from roofing, marketing and sales to consulting, manufacturing and research. Female professionals are also stepping into leadership roles at roofing manufacturing companies and starting their own roofing companies. Read on as we highlight women leading the roofing industry! 

Ethelmae Humphreys has been a trailblazer for women in roofing since the 1940s. She had just graduated from high school in 1944 and her parents moved to Joplin, Missouri to start TAMKO Building Products. Ethelmae headed to college at the University of Kansas, earning a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. Upon graduation it became clear that her father’s failing health meant he would need assistance running the company, so she came home and helped out, and was named the executive vice president of TAMKO. Together with her husband, she grew the company into one of the largest privately owned roofing manufacturers in the country. After her husband’s death in 1993, she took over as CEO until her son took on the role of president and CEO the following year. 

Associations 

Plenty of roofing associations pride themselves on being women-led or having women in high-ranking positions. The Roofing Alliance, celebrating 25 years as the foundation of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), has appointed Alison LaValley as the new executive director and recently has made Kelly Van Winkle the first female vice president. 

Additionally, Lisa Pate serves as the executive director of the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), Tracey Prociw is the executive director and board secretary of The Roofing Contractors Association of Washington (RCAW) and Suzie Boyd is the current president of the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA). With female leadership, these associations have prospered and grown; these women have paved the path to a better roofing industry.  

Plus, there are plenty of women in roofing who hold leadership positions. Johns Manville is proudly led by a team of women who represent their Roofing Systems Leadership, including: Director of Human Resources Brandi Duncan, Director of Product Management and Marketing Jennifer Ford-Smith, Owner Services Leader Mandy Schweitzer, Director of Commercial Services and SIOP Tesha Kroll and Director of Technology Zebonie Sukle. 

Many women have started their own businesses in the industry too. Art Unlimited is a women-owned business, with the second-generation leadership of Anna Anderson and Elizabeth Chapman taking the company’s digital and marketing expertise to a national stage. 

RoofersCoffeeShop® is women owned and led too! Established in 2002 by Vickie Sharples, the Coffee Shop is “where the industry meets.” Heidi J. Ellsworth became a partner in the company with Vickie in 2015 and today the RCS crew is led by Heidi, who also has her own marketing and consulting business, HJE Consulting.  

RCS COO Karen L. Edwards has helped Heidi grow the website and push boundaries in this male-dominated industry that is slow to change. She is also the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)’s communications and engagement leader and owns her own marketing and sales company, Casimir Group. Studies show that women who support other women are more successful. Research conducted by Harvard Business Review found that having a network of close female contacts helps females land executive positions.  

According to Forbes, these inner circles provide necessary support and recommendations when their peers are faced with challenges and cultural bias, especially in male-dominated industries like roofing. As the president of RoofersCoffeeShop, Heidi has exceled in empowering other women to be successful within the roofing industry, fostering employees at all levels within the company to build a strong network that is both diverse and supportive of all people, brining then into the trades for an opportunity of a great career. 

Furthermore, organizations like National Women in Roofing, of which Heidi is a founder, are providing opportunities and support for women in the roofing industry. Today, with the efforts of many in the roofing industry, NWIR has created a new understanding, interest and demand for diversity. Women are more prevalent than ever in the field and at trade shows, meetings and board meetings. Through mentoring, education and networking, women have more support than ever to find a rewarding career in this industry.   

There is more than enough space on the roof for women in this industry. With so many female role models and female-led roofing initiatives, the future of roofing looks female! 

Stay up to date with the latest roofing industry news when you sign up for the RCS Week in Roofing e-news.

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter.

Learn about the recent changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s emergency temporary standard for vaccine mandates in the workplace. 

In November 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it would enact an emergency temporary standard (ETS) for employers to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine. The ETS required employers with 100 or more employees to implement a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy or a weekly testing and mask policy.  

However, as of January 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to temporarily block OSHA from enforcing the ETS. According to the Associated Press, “The court’s conservative majority concluded the administration overstepped its authority by seeking to impose the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s vaccine-or-test rule on U.S. businesses with at least 100 employees.” OSHA still requires a mandate for most health care workers. 

The decision was made with six of the justices in the majority and three dissenting. A copy of the Supreme Court’s decision can be found here. 

As for the future of the ruling on the ETS, a few trade associations have made statements: 

The Colorado Roofing Association stated, “The stay will be in place pending the final disposition of the case by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and disposition of any further appeal of the Sixth Circuit’s forthcoming decision to the Supreme Court.”  

The National Roofing Contractors Association released a statement saying, “It is NRCA’s understanding the litigation will go back to the full 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, which will proceed with further consideration of the lawsuit and provide a ruling on whether the ETS will be allowed to proceed or be struck down permanently. Timing on when such a decision might happen is unclear.” 

Stay up to date with the latest roofing industry news when you sign up for the RCS Week in Roofing e-news.