Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 25, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 25, 2015
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gross revenue		$ 1,279,230	$ 1,365,186	$ 3,872,921	$ 3,949,320
Equity in earnings of joint ventures and affiliated companies		26,877	14,890	44,647	36,908
Operating expenses:
Direct cost of services		(1,189,167)	(1,096,008)	(3,497,257)	(3,190,539)
Selling, general and administrative		(225,290)	(220,246)	(692,915)	(679,619)
Operating (loss) income		(108,350)	63,822	(272,604)	116,070
Other income (expense):
Interest income		136	56	306	158
Interest expense		(3,873)	(3,041)	(10,019)	(11,421)
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes		(112,087)	60,837	(282,317)	104,807
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		78,438	(12,332)	118,202	(25,691)
Net (loss) income		(33,649)	48,505	(164,115)	79,116
Less: loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests		49,582	(9,060)	142,585	(12,423)
Net income attributable to CH2M		$ 15,933	$ 39,445	$ (21,530)	$ 66,693
Net income (loss) attributable to CH2M per common share1:
Basic (in dollars per share)	[1]	$ 0.40	$ 1.22	$ (1.22)	$ 2.26
Diluted (in dollars per share)	[1]	$ 0.40	$ 1.22	$ (1.22)	$ 2.26
Weighted average number of common shares:
Basic (in shares)		25,356,689	27,139,832	25,816,819	27,281,219
Diluted (in shares)		25,389,138	27,198,832	25,816,819	27,297,219

[1] Represents net (loss) income attributable to CH2M less (i) income allocated to preferred stockholders of $1,984 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and $3,913 and $2,502 for the three and nine months ended September 25, 2015, respectively, and (ii) accrued dividends attributable to preferred stockholders of $3,891 and $10,067 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, and $2,501 and $2,556 for the three and nine months ended September 25, 2015, respectively