Brian Sherrod of CBS Colorado emceed the Denver Regional Council of Governments awards celebration, which brought 500 elected officials, sponsors, partners and guests together to celebrate regional excellence Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
(Photo by JR Goodwin/Denver Regional Council of Governments.)
Winners represent communities, collaboration and commitment
The 18 winners recognized at the 2024 Denver Regional Council of Governments awards celebration represented individuals, projects, programs and collaborations that have advanced progress toward the region's Metro Vision goals. Their efforts and collaborative spirit have made the Denver region a great place to live, work and play.
The Wednesday, August 28, celebration honored winners of the Metro Vision Awards, the Distinguished Service Awards, the Way to Go Awards and the John V. Christensen Memorial Award.
Distinguished Service Awards
The Distinguished Service Awards honor people who have given their time, talent and skills to the Denver region, its communities and various DRCOG programs and activities. DRCOG staff nominates individuals for the Distinguished Service Awards, and the Board of Directors selects winners. For 2024, Distinguished Service Award winners included:
- Elizabeth Babcock (video)
- Allison DeLozier (video)
- Kathleen Hodgson (video)
- Andrew Illtis (video)
- Rick Pilgrim (video)
- Kate Williams (video)
Metro Vision Awards
The Metro Vision Awards recognize excellence, innovation, collaboration and leadership in problem-solving among communities and their partners. Honorees include the programs, projects and plans that bring business leaders, elected officials, community advocates and residents together to accomplish more than any partner could achieve alone. 2024 Metro Vision Award winners included:
- 30th and Colorado Protected Intersection and Double Underpass Improvement Project, City of Boulder (video)
- Livable Streets Residential Collector and Right-Sizing Roadways Program, City of Centennial (video)
- Peak to Peak Broadband Planning Group, Clear Creek County, Gilpin County and Town of Nederland (video)
- CodeNext, City of Englewood (video)
- East Community Center, City of Littleton and Littleton Public Schools (video)
- Systemwide Fare Study and Equity Analysis, Regional Transportation District (video)
- Code Compliance Assistance Program, City of Thornton (video)
- Globeville and Elyria Swansea Tolling Equity Program, Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado Transportation Investment Office and Northeast Transportation Connections (video)
John V. Christensen Memorial Award
The John V. Christensen Memorial Award is DRCOG's highest accolade and has been presented since 1973. Established in memory of John V. Christensen, a DRCOG founder and Arapahoe County commissioner, it recognizes individuals who promote cooperation and collaboration for the benefit of the region. Karen Stuart is the 47th recipient of the award.
- Karen Stuart (video)
Way to Go Awards
Each year, DRCOG’s Way to Go program recognizes commuters — and organizations — in the Denver region that choose commuting options to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.
The 2024 commuting champions are:
- Employer Champion Award: University of Colorado Boulder
- Commuter of the Year Award: Brandon Rhea
- Rising Star Award: Anton Morrison
Watch a video about the 2024 commuting champions.
