The Denver Regional Council of Governments recently honored Climate Pollution Reduction manager Robert Spotts with the 2024 Richard Chwiedor Employee of the Year Award. 

Robert, who was one of nine employees nominated by their colleagues, led an application process resulting in DRCOG receiving a $199 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce pollutants and improve the region’s air quality. The grant enabled DRCOG to create a new 12-member building decarbonization team, which Robert now leads.

"Robert saw an opportunity to grow DRCOG's portfolio, advancing Metro Vision outcomes and member government support, and took it head-on!" said the person who nominated him. "His successful work in the climate sector and launch of the decarbonization program is inspirational and important to DRCOG and the region at-large. Robert, as someone who has served in many different capacities at DRCOG, is truly a model for how one can grow, evolve and initiate positive change at the agency."

About the Richard Chwiedor Employee of the Year Award

DRCOG’s leadership established the employee of the year award in 1983 to recognize significant employee contributions. In 2020, leadership renamed the award to honor Richard Chwiedor, who served as a DRCOG employee for almost five decades.