2020 CPRA Awards The Colorado Parks & Recreation Association Awards Program is designed to recognize and celebrate the individuals and organizations that contribute to the success and value of parks and recreation in the state of Colorado. Designed to bring attention to its recipients, the awards program highlights the successes of association members and community champions. The sharing of new and creative programs is an additional benefit of involvement in the awards program. Excellence in parks and recreation is visible in many places. We encourage you to take notice of the parks and recreation programs, professionals and community champions that deserve recognition by nominating them for an award! The next award nomination deadline is July 15, 2021. Information can be found on the CPRA website under the Resources tab.
Section Awards
Presidents Awards
AAPS - Laura Schwenker, Apex Park and Recreation District
Ali Rhodes, City of Boulder Janet Bartnik, Mountain Recreation
AQUATICS - Bryan Gentilini, Town of Parker
Columbine Awards
CARA PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR – Errin Koon and Karinne Monn, Town of Parker, Kyle Parker, City of Lakewood; Beau Bressler, City of Golden; Wes Dulin, Foothills Park and Recreation District CARA LEGACY - Rene Kingsley, City of Longmont
8 • Colorado Byline | Spring 2021
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Design - may include new or renovated park and recreation facility design projects
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Innovation - may include marketing ideas, technology advances, communication, ‘green’ practices, partnerships, or operations
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Programming - may include any program or initiative that is create, fresh, and new
FACILITY MANAGERS Nolan Thill, Town of Parker PLAAY - Jennie Christoffel, City of Thornton TRSC - Brea Bolks, City of Aurora
COLUMBINE AWARD, Design: Crown Mountain Park Bike Park As the CMP Bike Park formally opened, its popularity was undeniable. Youth from across the valley, the region, and the state are drawn to this new venue. That section of the park is becoming one of the most popular areas with locals and visitors. Moreover, with so much of the park’s traditional activities cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, including all team sports and the park’s signature summer events, the bike park’s debut is particularly treasured as a safe, fun, and inherently socially distant recreation option. In the last two decades, the region’s population of under 35 years old grew by 40 percent, half of which is under 16 years old (Greater Roaring Fork Housing Study, RRC Associates, EPS, 2019). The park is serving this growing demographic and their families, while fostering an
Divided into three subcategories, Columbine awards are designed to highlight best practices and creative ideas in:
Crown Mountain Park Bike Park
active, outdoor lifestyle. In January, the Roaring Fork Valley was awarded a GOLD-LEVEL Ride Center designation by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), recognizing the pinnacle of mountain biking
communities. It is the first area in Colorado to get the designation and only the seventh worldwide. The CMP Bike Park adds another key component to that designation.
