Honolulu-based Belt Collins — a planning, civil engineering, landscape architecture and environmental consulting firm — has acquired Love & Associates Inc., a Colorado water resource consulting firm.

Belt Collins says the recent acquisition, its second in Colorado, is part of its strategy "strengthening its position with additional resources and fields of expertise."

In November 2007, Belt Collins acquired Shapins & Associates, located in Boulder, Colo.

Belt Collins is best known for its extensive work in planned resorts, residential development and community design both in Hawai'i and internationally.

In January, the company completed a draft environmental impact statement for the Hawaii Superferry, which has since left the Islands after a court ruling last month. Belt Collins had finished the draft of the review and was expected to complete the work by this summer.

Love & Associates Inc., now known as Belt Collins West, is a water resource consulting firm with a staff of seven in Louisville, Colo. Founded in 1985, it specializes in storm drainage and flood control, water-resource planning and management, civil engineering, water-based recreation, wetland solutions and construction management services.

"We are very pleased with the acquisition and excited about the possibilities for collaboration," said Anne Mapes, chairwoman and chief executive officer of Belt Collins Hawaii.

"Our staff is looking forward to collaborating with professionals in Belt Collins' other offices on U.S. and international projects," said Nancy Boudreau Love, principal of Love & Associates.

In addition to its U.S. offices in Honolulu, Seattle, Boulder and Louisville, Belt Collins has offices in Hong Kong; Shenzhen, China; Singapore; Bangkok; Bali, Indonesia; Guam; and Manila, Philippines.

Founded in Honolulu in 1953, Belt Collins has grown from a staff of two to more than 500. Services provided include planning, civil and sanitary engineering, landscape architecture, environmental consulting and graphic design.