In the 1980s, most contractors were focused on placing utilitarian concrete—functional surfaces with little emphasis on design or finish. John Buteyn saw something more.
As a foreman at the time, he wasn’t just thinking about how concrete was placed. He was thinking about what it could become—and who he needed to work with to get there.
That mindset—equal parts curiosity, craftsmanship, and collaboration—has defined his 53-year career at Colorado Hardscapes.
Built from the Field Up
John began working at Van Heukelem Concrete, Inc. at just 18 years old. He started in the field as a laborer, worked his way up to foreman, and eventually transitioned into a leadership role. That progression matters.
It means his understanding of decorative concrete is lived. He knows how timing, weather, crew coordination, and material behavior all intersect in the field. He also understands how those decisions impact what a project looks like, not just on day one, but decades later.
Today, John Buteyn is often described as a trusted resource in the decorative concrete industry. But what truly sets him apart is that he’s never stopped learning. Even now, he continues to ask questions, refine ideas, and help guide innovation across our teams in a hands-on way.
A Turning Point: Bomanite and a Bigger Vision
Around the same time, stamped concrete began emerging. Through networking, John discovered a systems-based approach to decorative concrete. That search led him to Bomanite.
He coordinated a meeting between Van Heukelem Concrete and Bomanite at the World of Concrete. The interest was immediate, and in 1982, Van Heukelem Concrete became an official Bomanite Licensee.
That decision marked a major turning point for the company.
Through Bomanite, we gained access to hands-on training, proprietary systems, and a network of contractors pushing the boundaries of what concrete could do. At a time when most contractors were offering basic finishes, this allowed us to deliver architectural concrete solutions.
It also helped establish an important connection point with landscape architects.
Early on, advocates within the Bomanite network emphasized the value of building relationships with designers. That advice stuck with John. It shaped how we approached our work—and who we collaborated with.
Collaboration as an Advantage
By the 1990s, John Buteyn was building relationships with landscape architects in a more intentional way.
The company started hosting presentations—not just to showcase what we could do, but to start a conversation. Designers would share what they were looking for in finishes, color, and performance. In turn, John would explore how to bring those ideas to life.
It quickly became clear that the best results didn’t come from working in isolation.
They came from collaboration.
We embedded that mindset in our culture and created a two-way exchange in which we test and challenge ideas.
From Presentations to Experience: The Design Center
As those conversations evolved, so did the need for something more immersive.
Firms like Dig Studio and Design Workshop wanted to go beyond presentations. They wanted to understand the technical side of decorative concrete—how it’s installed, what variables affect the outcome, and what’s actually possible in the field.
In response, John began facilitating more hands-on experiences.
What started as jobsite walkthroughs and small demonstrations eventually led to the development of our Design Center—a space built for exploration. With hundreds of samples, large-scale mockups, and live installation demos, it allowed teams to see and understand concrete in a way that presentations alone never could.
Even today, when teams visit, they don’t just see options—they go through an in-depth exploration. They make decisions earlier, and they leave with a stronger understanding of how to execute their vision.
Educating the Next Generation
That same collaborative mindset extends to education.
Roughly 20 years ago, the landscape architecture program at CU Denver reached out to John about hosting a materials class. Students engage directly with materials, ask questions, and see how design translates into construction. At the same time, their curiosity and perspective challenge us to keep improving.
John helped turn that into something much more than a one-time visit. He turned the opportunity into a lasting tradition, maintaining these relationships to ensure a consistent two-way exchange. By bridging the gap between classroom theory and technical reality, John helps prepare the next generation of architects—many of whom he later reconnects with as collaborators in the field.
The Innovation That Changed the Conversation: Sandscape
It was the 1990s, and decorative concrete had room to grow.
Many landscape architects—especially design purists—were hesitant to specify stamped concrete. The feedback was that it often looked too shiny, too patterned, too artificial. If they wanted the look of stone, they would use stone.
John Buteyn didn’t ignore that feedback—he leaned into it. He had seen how concrete in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood stood the test of time—wearing in, not out, and becoming more organic and visually compelling with age.
Instead of trying to improve stamped concrete, he asked a different question: what if concrete didn’t try to imitate anything at all?
Around the year 2000, he created a mockup—testing a finish that exposed the natural character of the material rather than covering it. It worked.
Sandscape offered something different. It felt authentic. It looked like concrete—but elevated and intentional.
And landscape architects responded immediately.
There wasn’t a long learning curve or slow adoption. It took off quickly, becoming one of the most specified finishes in landscape architecture.
What John Buteyn started as a simple experiment became a defining contribution—not just for our company, but for the industry as a whole.
Scaling Up: Growth Through Partnership
As John’s relationships with landscape architects deepened, so did the scale of our work.
In 1994, Van Heukelem Concrete became Colorado Hardscapes—a change that better reflected the work we were doing and the direction we were heading. With it came expanded opportunities to partner with general contractors on larger, more complex projects.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, projects like Aspen Grove, FlatIron Crossing, and the Village of Five Parks pushed us into broader scopes. We didn’t just take on bigger jobs—we collaborated more deeply, coordinated more tightly, and delivered a wider range of decorative finishes.
Those opportunities didn’t happen by chance.
They were built on trust—earned over time through consistent performance and strong partnerships.
A Standard That Drives Us
If there’s one principle that defines John Buteyn’s impact on Colorado Hardscapes, it’s his commitment to quality.
He’s said many times:
“Just one bad project can take ten—or even twenty—to make up for it.”
That mindset shows up in how we approach every project.
From the office to the field, there’s a shared understanding that details matter. Cutting corners isn’t acceptable. Mockups, planning, and execution are a fundamental part of our process.
Because in the end, our reputation is built over time—and proven project by project.
As John puts it, if a project still looks great 30 years later, that’s success.
Built on Trust, Proven Over Time
Over the course of his career, John’s favorite projects span decades—from stamped medians in the 1980s to landmark work like the Adams County Veterans Memorial, Conservatory Green, and Village of Five Parks.
Each one reflects not just technical expertise, but a commitment to partnership.
John has developed lasting relationships with respected landscape architects. These partnerships are built on mutual respect and a commitment to excellence.
Mark Wilcox, Principal at DHM Design –
“John has been a tremendous resource and trusted partner to DHM throughout much of his career, and for the past 20 years of mine. His depth of knowledge, collaborative spirit, and commitment to craft have left a lasting mark on many of our projects.
Two in particular stand out. At Johnson Habitat Park, a premier outdoor educational destination for the City of Denver, John and his team at CHS played a pivotal role in bringing an ambitious vision to life. From the sculpted GFRC rock formations that evoke the headwaters of the South Platte River, to the finely detailed decorative concrete, including wildflower-patterned plazas and mosaic tile insets, his work helped shape an environment that remains both inspiring and enduring. CHS didn’t just execute the vision; they elevated it.
John was equally instrumental in the realization of the Adams County Veterans Memorial. From early conversations around decorative concrete and staining techniques, through site visits to other projects and hands-on collaboration, he helped guide the project from concept to completion. His contributions were critical in transforming the space into an inspiring experience that transports visitors from the plains of Colorado onto the reimagined deck of the USS Colorado. His craftsmanship and insight were central to the success of this deeply meaningful place.
John’s impact is reflected not only in the quality of the built work but in the partnerships he fostered over his career and the standards he set. It is a privilege to work alongside him.”
Carrying the Standard Forward
John Buteyn’s influence is woven into every part of Colorado Hardscapes—from the systems we use to the way we collaborate with designers.
He helped shape our transition from Van Heukelem Concrete into Colorado Hardscapes, played a key role in establishing our partnership with Bomanite, and pioneered innovations like Sandscape that continue to define the industry.
But more than anything, he sets a standard.
A standard for quality. For curiosity. For collaboration.
More than five decades in, that standard continues to guide how we approach every project—and how we push the work forward.
