But that estimate - which could change - will depend on whether state officials want to increase the scope of the repairs to include replacing sections of the copper sheeting that compose the rounded dome itself or even regilding the structure with gold leaf.
It also could depend on whether lawmakers are willing to take more money from historical funds to carry out additional repairs, something preservationists are likely to fight.
The original estimate was $12 million, and that sum envisioned repairing or replacing parts of the century- old cast-iron drum of the dome. Many sections of the drum, the cylindrical portion of the dome structure, are badly rusting and starting to separate in places.
Consultants for months have been conducting a close examination of the dome and have discovered some other things that need fixing. The actual rounded dome is composed of copper sheet metal that has been gilded.
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(Copyright 2011 The Denver Post)