For 71 years, the Denver Regional Council of Governments has fostered the shared work and vision for the metro area to remain the best place to live, work and play. DRCOG commended and celebrated the cooperative efforts by the region's residents and organizations at its annual awards celebration held August 26 at Seawell Ballroom in the Denver Center for Performing Arts. The evening capped off with the presentation of the 49th John V. Christensen Memorial Award to longtime community and transportation leader Angie Rivera-Malpiede, whose groundbreaking work exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and excellence of the Denver region. Her tribute video highlights more than 20 years of advocacy and service.  

Approximately 500 people attended the 2026 gala, with 9News consumer reporter Steve Staeger returning as the event's emcee. This year, 17 winners across three categories were honored for their dedication to improving the quality of life in the Front Range.  

The Metro Vision Awards recognize community projects and plans for excellence, innovation, collaboration and leadership in problem-solving among communities and their partners. The 2026 winners are:  

• Bluff Lake Nature Center Campus Improvements - (video)
• BoulderMOD, an affordable housing factory and workforce training partnership - (video)
• Brantner Gulch Floodplain Remediation - (video)
• C3 Promise, an initiative for free access to short-term credential programs - (video)
• Clear Creek Trail: Huntsman Segment - (video)
• Greenland Wildlife Overpass - (video)
• Safer Streets Practice Park - (video)
• We Are the Land: American Indian Life, Legacy and Future - (video)

The Way to Go Awards recognize commuting champions — people and companies who commit to reducing the number of people who drive to work alone. The 2026 Way to Go Award winners are:  

• Rising Star Award: Melissa Hunter - (video)
• Employer Champion Award: Food Bank of the Rockies - (video)
• Commuter of the Year Award: Emily Kleinfelter - (video)

The Distinguished Service Awards recognize, honor and thank people who have given their time, talents and skills to the Denver region, its communities and various regional programs and activities. The 2026 Distinguished Service Award winners include:  

• Doug Genzer - (video)
• Patrick Goff - (video)
• Sarah Grant - (video)
• Chris Lynn - (video)
• Herman Stockinger - (video)
• Roger Wadnal, posthumous - (video)

For more information about DRCOG’s awards celebration, go to drcog.org/awards. To see select photos from the 2026 event, visit the DRCOG Flickr album.