Club 20, a statewide nonprofit that voices issues of mutual concern from Colorado’s 22 counties, hosted the annual Awards Banquet on March 30 at the DoubleTree Hotel, 501 Camino del Rio.
During the banquet, Club 20 celebrated members for their service and advocacy and its 65-year anniversary. Western Slope community leaders, elected and appointed officials, friends and family of recipients were in attendance.
Award recipients from Southwest Colorado included:
Jasper Welch, former Durango mayor, was presented the Lyman Thomas Award in recognition of his length of service as a member of Club 20.
J. Paul Brown, a former state Representative from Ignacio, was presented the John D. Vanderhoof Award in recognition of outstanding service and dedication to Western Colorado.
Sen. Don Coram was presented the Dan Noble Award for being an elected official who has shown outstanding public service to Western Colorado.
“We are so proud of the individuals who make up this organization,” Christian Reece, Club 20 executive director, said in a news release. “These award recipients are as diverse as the Club 20 general membership. Their areas of service are reflective of their interests, professional expertise and personal dedication to ensuring Club 20 remains strong as the “Voice of the Western Slope.”
Other recipients included:
John D. Vanderhoof Award: Ron Velarde, former Colorado Parks and Wildlife regional manager from Grand Junction.Preston Walker Award: Steve Reynolds of Glenwood Springs.Johnson-Theos Bridge Builder Award: Terri Binder of Arvada, Kathy Welt of Hotchkiss, Maj. Gen. Irv Halter of Colorado Springs and Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne of Denver.Club 20 New Member of the Year Award: Michael Murphy of Lake City.Club 20 Chairman’s Award: Tom Glass of Denver.Club 20 Executive Directors Award: Karl Paulson of Oak Creek.Club 20 Emeritus Member: Marcia Neal of Grand Junction and Rikki Santarelli of Almont.For more information, visit www.club20.org.
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