DRCOG 2024 awards celebration marks 50 years for Area Agency on Aging
Governor issues official proclamation for agency's milestone anniversay
The Denver Regional Council of Governments Board of Directors, sponsors, partners, staff and guests celebrated regional excellence Wednesday, August 28, at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. During the celebration, Karen Stuart accepted the John V. Christensen Memorial Award. The award, named in honor of an Arapahoe County commissioner who was one of DRCOG’s founders, is the organization’s highest accolade and has been presented since 1973. Karen Stuart is the 47th champion of regionalism to accept the award.
Photo by Jessica Hughes/Denver Regional Council of Governments.
With nearly 500 people in attendance, the Denver Regional Council of Governments celebrated 50 years of the Area Agency on Aging along with honoring community leaders, government representatives and nonprofit organizations during its annual awards event on August 28 at the Seawell Ballroom in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
To mark the Area Agency on Aging’s milestone anniversary, DRCOG Executive Director Douglas Rex presented the official proclamation from Govenor Jared Polis and highlighted the programs and services the agency has provided for the past 50 years. This year's awards celebration was emceed by CBS Colorado reporter, Brian Sherrod.
To cap off the evening, DRCOG bestowed its highest accolade, the John V. Christensen Memorial Award, to Karen Stuart. Stuart is currently a commissioner for District 4 with the Colorado Department of Transportation and vice chair of the Colorado Transportation Investment Office. She previously served for three terms as mayor of Broomfield, having helped establish it as a combined city and county in 2001. Stuart is the 47th recipient of the memorial award, which was established in 1973 and named after one of DRCOG’s founders and Arapahoe County Commissioner, John V. Christensen.
The Metro Vision Awards recognize community projects and plans for excellence, innovation, collaboration and leadership in problem-solving among communities and their partners. This year, eight Metro Vision Award recipients were honored. The 2024 winners are:
- City of Boulder – 30th and Colorado Protected Intersection and Double Underpass Improvement Project
- City of Thornton – Code Compliance Assistance Program
- City of Englewood – CodeNext
- City of Littleton and Littleton Public Schools – East Community Center
- City of Centennial – Livable Streets Residential Collector and Right-Sizing Roadways Program
- Clear Creek County, Gilpin County and Town of Nederland – Peak to Peak Broadband Planning Group
- Regional Transportation District (RTD) – Systemwide Fare Study and Equity Analysis
- Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado Transportation Investment Office – Globeville and Elyria Swansea Tolling Equity Program
The Way to Go Commuter Awards celebrate commuters and organizations in the region that choose commuting options that reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. The 2024 winners are:
- Rising Star – Anton Morrison
- Employer Champion – University of Colorado Boulder
- Commuter of the Year – Brandon Rhea
The Distinguished Service Awards honor individuals who have contributed to the success of DRCOG programs and initiatives to enhance and protect our quality of life. The 2024 winners are:
For more information about DRCOG’s awards celebration, go to drcog.org/awards. To see photos from the 2024 event, go to the DRCOG Flickr Album.