Celebrating Colorado’s Downtown Champions: 2025 Downtown Excellence Awards

April 4, 2025

On the evening of April 3, 2025, during Downtown Colorado, Inc.’s IN THE GAME Vibrant Downtown Event in Greeley, we rolled out the red carpet (figuratively—and maybe literally!) for one of our favorite traditions of the year: the Colorado Downtown Excellence Awards.

Held at the iconic Moxi Theater in Downtown Greeley, the ceremony was nothing short of a celebration of creativity, community, and collaboration—with just the right amount of fun mixed in.

This year’s awards were brought to life by the dynamic duo of emcees:
Steve Art, DCI Board Member and Economic Development Manager for the City of Wheat Ridge
Eric Bergman, Colorado Department of Local Affairs

Together, they brought humor, heart, and high energy to the stage as we honored 12 incredible communities and two exceptional individuals whose work is moving Colorado’s downtowns forward.

From pop-up flower installations in Englewood to murals in Greeley, strategic planning in Wheat Ridge, and the transformation of historic buildings in Montrose, this year’s honorees exemplified the innovation and tenacity it takes to build vibrant, resilient communities. You can check out the full list of 2025 award winners here:

2025 COLORADO DOWNTOWN EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS

Best Partnership

  • Downtown Englewood, CitySpark
  • City of Montrose, Historic Potato Growers Building 

Best Place

  • Arvada Urban Renewal Authority, Garrison Garden Paseo
  • Town of Basalt , Midland Streetscape Project

Best Plan

  • City of Wheat Ridge, Wheat Ridge Prosperity Plan
  • Fraser Downtown Development Authority, Plan of Development

Best Pop-up

  • Downtown Colorado Springs, Revel Urban Arts Party
  • Downtown Englewood, Flower Pop

Best Project

  • Downtown Greeley, WeldWalls Mural Festival
  • City of Louisville, Downtown Vision Plan

Colorado Choice Awards

  • City and County of Denver, Plan of Development for Denver’s Downtown Development Authority
  • Town of Windsor , Windsor Downtown Master Plan
  • Town of San Luis , San Luis Civic Plaza

VICKI MATTOX DOWNTOWNERS OF THE YEAR

The Vicki Mattox Downtowner of the Year Awards recognize individuals who have shown exemplary commitment to their local downtown and community. The winners encourage ongoing collaboration and teamwork benefiting the community.

  • Bianca Fisher, Greeley Downtown Development Authority
  • Maureen Phair, Arvada Urban Renewal Authority

But the celebration didn’t stop at the theater.

After the final award was handed out, we headed out into the streets of Downtown Greeley for a street-side line dance—yes, you read that right! There’s nothing quite like downtown advocates line dancing in the rain to cap off a perfect night.

Then it was time for a delicious dinner at the beloved Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, where margaritas flowed and stories were shared in honor of the host community, Downtown Greeley—a shining example of place-based transformation and community pride.

Each year, this event reminds us of the incredible work being done in communities across Colorado. We’re honored to lift up these leaders, projects, and partnerships and to continue supporting them through the DCI network.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our IN THE GAME speakers, sponsors, attendees, and award winners for making this celebration one to remember. And to our friends in Greeley—thank you for the warm welcome and generous spirit.

And just announced: IN THE GAME 2026 is headed to Downtown Grand Junction!
We can’t wait to see what the next year brings.

Until then—keep dreaming, collaborating, and dancing in the streets.

#InTheGame2025 #DowntownExcellenceAwards #DCIAwards #DowntownGreeley #CountryKickUp #DCIVibrantDowntowns #DCIINTHEGAME25Years