Text Size:
Text Size:

DRCOG 2023 awards celebration

A group of smiling people stands in front of a black backdrop. One is holding a certificate that says Metro Vision Award.

Nearly 500 people joined the Board of Directors on Wednesday, October 4, for the “All in!” celebration at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. If you were among them, we're delighted you were there. If you couldn’t make it, here’s what you missed.

The evening began with a social hour with music from Peneplain Jazz.

At 7 p.m., Governor Jared Polis delivered in-person greetings, followed by a recorded welcome from jurisdiction host City and County of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.

Emcee Makenzie O’Keefe of CBS Colorado kept the program moving at a lively pace, including greetings from executive director Douglas W. Rex and Board chair Steve Conklin, council member from Edgewater.

Winners included:

Way to Go Champion Award

Rising Star: Scott Gutshall

Employer Champion: City of Longmont

Commuter of the Year: Brandon Figliolino

Distinguished Service Award

John Douglas, M.D.

Dr. Houston G. “Tex” Elam

Linda Haley

Steve Hebert

Chris Pelletier

Beth Truby

Piep van Heuven

Bill Van Meter

Rebecca White

Metro Vision Award

Housing: Clara Brown Commons and Crossing Pointe

Transportation: The Denver Connector, Denver E-Bike Voucher Program and Lone Tree Link on Demand Transit Program

Resident needs: Hoarding Disorder and Clutter Removal Services and Let’s Talk Resident Engagement Program

Recovery and resiliency: Marshall Fire Recovery

After chair Conklin honored immediate past chair Kevin Flynn (council member, City and County of Denver) and recognized previous chairs, attendees waited expectantly for the announcement of the 46th recipient of the John V. Christensen Memorial Award, whose identity is a secret until the gala.

The 2023 John V. Christensen Memorial Award honoree is Herb Atchison, former City of Westminster mayor.

Check out the 2022 Awards celebration

Scroll through the Flickr album from the 2023 awards celebration.

AWARDS-IMG-23SELECTS-7740