There are remarkable people and organizations in our community!
We recognize their inspiring work and commitment with the Mayor’s Inspiration Award!
The award acknowledges those who have made a significant impact in our community by recognizing contributions in community engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness, diversity and innovation.
Multiple awards may be presented in each of the following categories:
- Youth: any individual under the age of 18 or group all under the age of 18.
- Individual: any individual age 18 or older.
- Community Organization: any association, service organization, nonprofit, team or group
- Business: any business or for-profit company
Watch a video about the Mayor's Inspiration Award
Check back in 2026 to see when the nomination period opens.
Submit a nomination in three easy steps:
1. Determine if the person or organization is eligible.
The Mayor’s Inspiration Award recognizes people making extraordinary contributions to the Lakewood community, in four categories: youth (under 18), individuals, businesses and organizations. Youth nominations can be for individuals or a group if that group is all under 18 years of age.
2. Identify your nominee’s achievement areas and strengthen your nomination.
Identify how your nominee has made a significant and positive impact on the Lakewood community. The Mayor’s Inspiration Awards are selected by a panel of evaluators and based on a select set of criteria -- see the award criteria below.
3. Nominate!
Once you have learned about the awards, you are ready to complete a strong nomination for your nominee. All nominations must be completed using the online nomination form; attach additional documents as needed.
Questions: Dan Stoutamire, 303-987-7050, dstoutamire@lakewood.org
Mayor’s Inspiration Award Criteria
Award Evaluation Criteria
A panel of evaluators, Lakewood staff, volunteers and Mayor Strom will evaluate the nominations based on how well the nominees meet the following criteria:
- Civic Engagement and Collaboration - Explain the nominee’s level of civic engagement and use of collaboration that crosses sectors (business, local, government, nonprofits, etc.) and regions that contribute to the success of Lakewood.
- Inclusiveness and Diversity - How has the nominee recognized and involved diverse segments and perspectives as an inspiration to Lakewood?
- Innovation - Explain the nominee’s use of creativity, initiative and how they leverage community resources that exemplifies success and has directly impacted the Lakewood community.
- Impact and Value to the Community - What demonstrable, significant and measurable achievements has the nominee made to the Lakewood community?
- Share a Story - Please share a story with the selection committee including specific examples of why the nominee should be recognized. Include displays of leadership, problem solving and acting as a role model.
Gerald Hilton is the president of Elks Lodge No. 1777 located in the West Colfax Avenue corridor. In his time there, he has focused on veteran assistance, providing clothing, bedding and furniture to veterans who are formerly homeless. His lodge has partnered with the city on the annual West Metro Veterans Fair for 13 years, and he is known for coming to every event and community gathering with a smile on his face.
Felix Cook Sr. was recognized in memoriam. Rising from beginnings in a one-room schoolhouse, he lived a truly impressive life, mentoring many along the way. He lived in Lakewood for more than 50 years, and City Council recognized him with a proclamation last March shortly after his passing. Lakewood is extremely lucky that he was part of our community.
Amber Varwig is a longtime advocate for the less fortunate in Lakewood. She is the founder of the Lakewood Left mutual aid group, which provides a community meal every Friday to residents experiencing homelessness. The group makes sure no one walks away hungry, and she and the group have been instrumental in ensuring residents have shelter on especially cold nights.
Doug and Judy Whitten are fixtures in the Southern Gables neighborhood in southern Lakewood. They are pivotal in distributing neighborhood dues to deserving people and organizations, and they organize the annual National Night Out event with the Lakewood Police Department in their neighborhood. They also help with the neighborhood’s leaf pickup event every fall for residents who can’t do it themselves.
Ellen Rucker has run a food pantry and clothing bank out of Mountair Christian Church in northeast Lakewood every week for the past eight years, and she does it with enthusiasm and joy. Regardless of weather, she is out there, helping people who need help. Her efforts aid more than 200 residents every month.
40 West Arts District, created in 2011, has done much to change the trajectory and perception of the West Colfax corridor through programs such as the 40 West ArtLine, First Friday events, artists in residence, Curated at the Mills collaboration with Colorado Mills mall and more. Lakewood is honored by the passionate commitment and service of the 40 West team members and are lucky to work alongside them.
The Chanda Center for Health and its founder Chanda Hinton have been a force for good in the disability community for 20 years. Pulling from her own life experiences, Hinton and the center use integrative therapies and services to improve the quality of life, reduce costs and increase autonomy for those with disabilities. They have been instrumental in shaping the health care landscape in the state of Colorado and showing the importance of accessibility and equity.
Westerra Credit Union, founded by teachers, has always understood the important role of education. In Lakewood, it has supported science, technology, engineering and math focused special education programs at Lakewood High School and funded classroom supply drives at Slater and Westgate elementary schools. It has also tailored financial literacy programs for kids, offered fraud prevention seminars for seniors and expanded into Spanish-language programs.
VL Builders, a Lakewood-based home remodeling company, has jumped headfirst into volunteerism, partnering with local groups on toy drives for kids, creating handmade gifts for local seniors, volunteering with the Food Bank of the Rockies and more. In Lakewood, the company supported the Police Department’s recent pancake breakfast, and the team actively seeks out ways to connect with the local community.
Thinh Tran – A Reflection of Energy
Thinh, a student at Alameda International High School, was instrumental in ensuring that some lesser-known activities at his school, such as tennis, stayed vibrant. With his efforts, the team went from two to 13 players. According to staff, Thinh brought a diverse group into that sport and led to the new players excelling on and off the court. He does things like this daily around the school.
The Lakewood High School Theater Company – A Reflection of Inclusiveness
The company’s ‘Unified’ program brings together neurotypical and neurodivergent students in a cooperative and encouraging environment, culminating in an annual sold-out show in the nearly 500-seat theater. This program has been featured on local news because of its unique success.
Mary Hatlestad – A Reflection of Enthusiasm
Mary truly represents what it means to be an inspirational resident. She has been a stalwart of her neighborhood for years and encouraged others to get involved. An avid gardener, reader and ice cream consumer, Mary has also served as a volunteer at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park for more than 27 years, logging well over 2,000 hours of service. There are few days in the year where Mary won’t be found lending a hand to someone who needs it, and Lakewood is a better place because of her.
Niki Worthan – A Reflection of Recovery
Niki has been dedicating her professional life and personal time to helping those struggling with addiction, domestic violence and related problems for 20 years. Based in Lakewood, she helps with getting people who hit their rock bottom back on their feet. Outside of that day job, she volunteers at the Food Bank of the Rockies and even gives free haircuts at treatment centers to those who need them. Niki has dedicated her life to helping others and fighting to provide integrated care and worked hard to build a recovery community.
Maddie Nichols – A Reflection of Neighborhood
Maddie is a Lakewood and Ward 2 legend. When you need something done around Two Creeks, Maddie is the one to call. She is a decadeslong resident of Lakewood and was a 2017 West Colfax Legend Award winner. We can only mention some of her many accomplishments due to time constraints, but in recent years she has been instrumental in community outreach for the Two Creeks Neighborhood Plan, West Colfax 2040 Plan, 40 West ArtLine Plan and more. Maddie are a true fixture of the community and represents what it means to be an inspiration in Lakewood.
Ronald and Trisha Cooper – A Reflection of Selflessness
Affectionately known as Ron and Trish by their Lakewood neighbors, this couple is a pillar of the community. From shopping for elderly neighbors, to using their handy know-how to fix things around those neighbors’ homes and always being ready to lend a hand with a snow shovel, the Coopers help unite their community. They also serve as surrogate grandparents to younger families and sew quilts for a local battered womens’ shelter.
Firefly Autism – A Reflection of Service
Located near 20th and Hoyt in north Lakewood, Firefly Autism has been working to improve the quality of life for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families since 2003. Before then, parents had to navigate a frustrating patchwork of providers and are now able to get their needs met in a single place. Firefly currently serves 245 individuals and their families in Lakewood and Colorado Springs. Additionally, partnerships with other local actors like ARC, The Action Center and libraries and grocery stores have helped with transition to work and raising awareness of autism in the workplace. We’re proud that Lakewood can host this amazing organization!
Jefferson Center for Mental Health’s Solid Ground Apartments - A Reflection of Stability
Opened earlier this year to provide a safe space for people transitioning from housing insecurity, these apartments reflect an investment in some of the area’s most vulnerable people. So far, more than 40 people have been welcomed into Solid Ground, which was designed with the unique needs of this population in mind – things like large windows and open views in laundry rooms and stairwells, abundant natural light and more. Residents are supported 24/7 by on-site staff and given job training.
NationScapes – A Reflection of Generosity
A local small business owned by Nate Farley, NationScapes is a believer in service to the larger community. After an initial foray into food drives following the Marshall Fire, the company reached out to customers and organized a ‘Blowout Hunger’ food drive in 2023. More than 4,000 food items were collected and donated; an additional 4,000 items were collected as a match by NationScapes employees. Lakewood thanks NationScapes for their generosity!
Vrtrum – A Reflection of Opportunity
Vrtrum is another Lakewood small business. This company has gone above and beyond to highlight local retail vendors, particularly minority-owned businesses, at its specialty ‘pop-up’ markets. Already in 2024, they have hosted dedicated markets for the Asian and LGBTQ communities, and more events are planned for coming months and years. We are certainly fortunate that this vibrant business has chosen Lakewood as its home.