2026 Colorado Downtown Excellence Awards Celebrated at Downtown Colorado, Inc.’s IN THE GAME Vibrant Downtown Event

Since 2003, Downtown Colorado, Inc. (DCI) has presented awards to outstanding projects and people throughout the state who demonstrate creativity in the face of challenges, unlikely and enduring partnerships, and commitment to advancing downtown initiatives within their local communities. On April 2, 2026, DCI honored 12 communities—from small towns to large cities—along with five exceptional individuals, with the Colorado Downtown Excellence Awards. This year’s award winners are listed below.

About the Colorado Downtown Excellence Awards

The Colorado Downtown Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in six key categories: Partnership, Place, Plans, Projects, Pop-Up Innovation, and Person – Vikki Mattox Downtowner of the Year. These categories highlight the many ways local leaders and communities are advancing vibrant downtowns and commercial districts across Colorado.

For more information, visit: downtowncoloradoinc.org/dtexcellenceawards

The awards program is designed to evolve alongside the needs and innovations of Colorado communities. Whether responding to disruptive events, testing bold pop-up activations, demonstrating groundbreaking leadership, or piloting innovative workforce housing strategies, the Colorado Downtown Excellence Awards remain focused on recognizing impact, creativity, and progress.

Presented annually at DCI’s IN THE GAME Vibrant Downtown Event, the awards are a highlight of the conference, bringing together downtown champions, resource providers, and community stewards to celebrate what’s working—and what’s next.

The 2026 IN THE GAME Vibrant Downtown Event date and location was announced on Friday, and will be held April 6-9, 2027, in Longmont, Colo.

2026 COLORADO DOWNTOWN EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS

Best Partnership Large Community

I-Beam Colorado: Historic Downtown Reinvestment & Activation

Downtown Longmont Partnership

A powerful collaboration that revitalizes historic buildings into vibrant community assets, overcoming significant challenges to deliver lasting economic impact.

Best Partnership Small Community

Shop Littleton OpenRewards

City of Littleton

An innovative local loyalty program that drives significant economic activity and serves as a scalable model for community-based business support.

Best Place Large Community

16th Street Renovation and Activation

City and County of Denver

A transformative project that modernizes infrastructure while preserving Denver’s iconic downtown character, backed by strong partnerships and measurable results.

Best Place Small Community

New Castle Main Street Revitalization

Town of New Castle

A strategic revitalization that successfully reactivates downtown by drawing people back through events, phased development, and clear performance outcomes.

Best Plan Large Community

Colfax Community Vision and Action Plan

City of Aurora

A highly actionable and inclusive plan that engages diverse stakeholders and lays the groundwork for long-term investment through the creation of key funding and development entities.

Best Plan Small Community

Downtown Johnstown Master Plan

City of Johnstown

A visually engaging, community-driven roadmap that captures extensive local input and sets a clear, long-term vision for a rapidly growing town.

Best Pop-up Large Community

Glenarm Plaza

City and County of Denver

A collaborative pop-up initiative that engages the community in shaping a vibrant public space reflecting Colorado’s natural identity and local input.

Best Pop-ups Small Community

“This is not a phone” Pay Phone Project

Downtown Grand Junction Partnership

A creative, community-powered art and music installation that repurposes a vintage phone booth into an interactive, locally inspired experience.

Best Project Large Community

HARP Expansion Project and Boathouse

Pueblo Riverwalk

A major investment in tourism infrastructure that strengthens the Riverwalk as a key economic driver for the City of Pueblo.

Best Project Small Community

The Rathbone Hotel & Parlor Bar

City of Montrose

A resilient historic preservation project that transforms a long-vacant building into a vibrant destination, boosting local energy and economic vitality.

People’s Choice Award Large Community

The Green at 38th

City of Wheat Ridge

The city’s first new park in a decade, creating a much-needed community gathering space through strong partnerships and shared vision.

People’s Choice Award Small Community

Wayfinding Signage System Plan

City of Fountain

A comprehensive and implementation-ready wayfinding strategy that combines strong design, community input, and a clear phased plan for execution.

VICKI MATTOX DOWNTOWNER 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.

Joe Hengstler (Posthumous), Olde Town Arvada Business Improvement District

A visionary leader known as the “Mayor of Olde Town” for his deep community connection

Guided businesses through COVID with parklets and creative activation strategies

Championed long-term investment through the Strategic Reinvestment Plan. Joe built lasting traditions, vibrant public spaces, and a legacy still felt every day.

We will miss you Joe.

Kathleen McFadden, Pagosa Springs CDC/Main Street Coordinator

A transformational leader bringing clarity, strategy, and unity to Pagosa Springs

Known for turning community input into shared vision and real momentum. Kathleen led inclusive engagement around Highway 160 with transparency and trust. She connects organizations, voices, and ideas to build stronger outcomes an inspires pride, ownership, and a bold future for downtown Pagosa Springs.

Sandra Marquez, SAMarketing LLC, Center, CO

A powerful connector and champion for inclusive community engagement in Center

Leads with heart—ensuring every voice, especially Spanish-speaking residents, is heard. Sandra is an organizer, storyteller, and cultural leader behind events like Día de los Muertos and bridges gaps between community, planning, and opportunity. Sandra is a true example of grassroots leadership shaping the future of downtown.

Brian Corrigan, Farm to Spaceship

A creative force redefining how we think about downtowns—through play, experience, and connection. Brian has helped shape interactive and memorable programs for DCI and communities around the state. He believes fun is not extra—it’s essential to economic development. Brian turns temporary ideas into lasting impact across Colorado communities.

THE FIRST EVER GOLDEN MICROPHONE AWARD

Steve Art, Wheat Ridge Economic Development and DCI Emcee

The voice of IN THE GAME and the Downtown Excellence Awards. Steve has been our master of energy, timing, and bringing people together in the room. He always keeps the program moving while making every moment feel meaningful. He is an equal parts storyteller, ringmaster, and downtown champion.

For years of setting the tone, lifting the energy, and making the magic happen—this one’s for

Steve.

THANK YOU AWARDS JURORS

Thank you to the Downtown Excellence Awards Jury

Julian Bobilev

Matthew Bossler

Lucia Correll

Monica Kurtz

Heidi Kerr-Schaefer

Dawn Thilmany

Michelle Valeri

About Downtown Colorado, Inc.

Established in 1982 as the Colorado Community Revitalization Association, Downtown Colorado, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit membership organization that aims to build better communities by assisting downtowns, commercial districts, and town centers in Colorado. Organization members represent downtown organizations, local governments, development and improvement districts, consultants, individuals, and others involved in downtown and community development.