Since 2003, the Governor’s Awards for Downtown Excellence has recognized outstanding projects and people that reflect an attitude of perseverance and dedication to community revitalization in Colorado.
Winning projects have been visionary and creative problem-solving solutions accomplished through local grassroots efforts, strong partnerships and innovation. Past winning projects have shown a commitment to traditional and new urban concepts, mixed-use development, historic preservation, public space enhancement and sustainable technology. Some successful projects have combined "best practices” from more than one discipline, often becoming the catalyst for other development in the community.
Best use of public spaceLarge CommunityOld Town Square Renovation, Fort Collins Small CommunityBuena Vista Optimist Splash Park, Buena Vista | Best New addition to downtownLarge CommunityLittleton Signage and Wayfinding, Littleton Small CommunityTrue Nature Healing Arts Center, Carbondale | Best Adaptive Reuse or RehabilitationLarge CommunityEmily Griffith Campus, Denver Cheese Importers, Longmont Small CommunityLyons Depot, Lyons |
Best Event, Festival or Recurring ActivityLarge CommunityGreat Plates of Downtown Fort Collins, Fort Collins Lakewood INSPIRE Arts Week, Lakewood Loveland Fire and Ice Festival, Loveland
Small CommunityCommunity History: Nimon-Walker Award, Eagle Elizabash/ Stampede Weekend, Elizabeth Mountain Harvest Festival, Paonia | Best Creative Reuse in a Large CommunityArts Alliance Studios, Pueblo Colorful Colorado AwardThe Rialto Board, Florence Downtowner of the YearTo be announced at the event! |