EDIE Awards
EDCC’s Annual EDIE Award recognizes outstanding economic development achievements by our members, organization volunteers, communities, companies and legislators.
EDIE Awards Criteria
Please review EDIE Awards Criteria prior to submitting your nomination.
Nominate Today!
Do you know someone who should be recognized for excellence in your community and economic development.
Past Winner’s Circle
Meet our past winner’s going back to the inception of the EDIE Awards.
Thanks goes to our 2025 EDIE Awards Sponsor!
AWARD NOMINATIONS, DINNER + CEREMONY TITLE SPONSOR
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Congratulate the 2025 Winners
Click a category below to learn more about this year’s winners.
- Small Community of the Year
- Medium Community of the Year
- Large Community of the Year
- Company of the Year - Forge Campus
- Company of the Year - Broadcom
- Legislator Lifetime Achievement
- Partnership of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Rookie of the Year
- Chairman’s Choice Award
- Economic Development Achievement
TOWN OF RICO, CO
Town of Rico was selected as this year’s ‘Small Community of the Year’ (community population up to 19,999) for its achievements in the following activities:
- Commitment to Long-Term Infrastructure and Community Investment: The town demonstrated a strong dedication to strengthening its foundation through projects that enhance both essential services (like the construction of a long-needed sewer system) and quality of life for residents.
- Revitalization and Creation of a Year-Round Recreation Hub: Rico secured nearly $700,000 in grant funding to transform its Town Park into a multi-use asset featuring amenities like a bicycle pump track, covered ice rink, and modern skatepark.
- Strategic Investment in Sustainability and Workforce Housing: The town is actively futureproofing its community by investing in a net-zero public works facility and converting an attached historic church home into employee housing to support workforce stability.
- Leveraging Natural Assets to Become a Key Trailhead Destination: Rico is transforming itself into a Recreation and Trailhead Hub by connecting its mining heritage to the Colorado Trail and San Juan Scenic Byway, adding amenities and parking to become a must-stop destination for outdoor recreation.
CITY OF LITTLETON, CO
City of Littleton was selected as this year’s ‘Medium Community of the Year’ (community population between 20,000 to 59,999) for its achievements in the following activities:
- Development and Implementation of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS): Littleton created a new CEDS with broad community input, which serves as a strategic roadmap for regional positioning, business vitality, and workforce development, showing a commitment to thoughtful planning.
- Execution of a Major Targeted Redevelopment Project: The city successfully leveraged its policies to execute a key redevelopment, introducing 370 new multifamily units and securing two major anchor tenants in a strategic corridor, which strengthens its economic base.
- Creation of a Transparent Incentive Policy: Littleton implemented an Economic Partnership Incentive Policy to ensure the transparent and effective deployment of development incentives, streamlining economic growth efforts.
- Sustained Support for Small Businesses and Local Spending: The city actively supports its small business community with direct financial programs, grants, and cashback rewards initiatives that specifically encourage and sustain local spending.
CITY OF THORNTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
City of Thornton Economic Development was selected as this year’s ‘Large Community of the Year’ (community population greater than 60,000) for its achievements in the following activities:
- Execution of the Major Powerhouse Expansion: The city successfully executed a major expansion, transforming a key corridor into a destination that includes significant attractions and has attracted major corporate employers.
- Robust and Inclusive Small Business Support: Thornton operates a dedicated Small Business Task Force that actively removes permitting/licensing barriers, offers mentorship and resources, and provides support for underserved entrepreneurs (including those with language barriers).
- Community-Based Planning and Thoughtful Development: Thornton ensures that its rapid economic growth and redevelopment projects are guided by community-based planning that reflects citizen values.
- Exemplary Leadership and Statewide Collaboration: The city’s economic development team is viewed as the “gold standard” and actively mentors other economic development offices across Colorado, sharing best practices and strengthening the entire state.
FORGE CAMPUS
Forge Campus was selected as this year’s ‘Company of the Year’ for their achievements in the following activities:
- Major Industrial Revitalization and Investment: The company completed a transformative project by investing over $11 million to convert a largely vacant former manufacturing facility into a thriving collaborative ecosystem for advanced industry.
- Substantial Economic and Occupancy Growth: The revitalization project significantly boosted the local economy by increasing the facility’s tenant occupancy from 15% to 73% and attracting more than 50 diverse technology businesses.
- Innovative Support for Scaling Businesses: Forge Campus provides dedicated support services and flexible lease structures, assisting early-stage tenants with crucial needs like capital and workforce development to help them scale sustainably.
- Deep Community and Civic Engagement: The campus is deeply engaged with the community, hosting various public events (such as free concerts and toddler story times) while actively participating in economic and legislative organizations.
BROADCOM
Broadcom was selected as this year’s second ‘Company of the Year’ for their achievements in the following activities:
- Establishment of an On-Site Learning Lab: The company created an on-site Learning Lab in partnership with a local community college, which offers Basic Electronics Certificates and associate degrees directly at the workplace, removing barriers to education.
- Innovative Inclusivity in Workforce Development: Broadcom focuses on cultivating a skilled, diverse, and sustainable talent pipeline through structured upskilling programs and external partnerships aimed at recruiting highly skilled individuals, including military veterans.
- Commitment to Internal Talent Growth (Upskilling): They invest in existing employees by providing structured upskilling programs that enable staff to immediately apply new knowledge to their current roles.
- Support for Future Workforce through Apprenticeships: Broadcom actively develops the future workforce by sponsoring a Youth Apprenticeship program specifically designed for high school students.
SENATOR MARK BAISLEY
Senator Baisley was selected as this year’s ‘Legislator Lifetime Achievement Winner’ for his achievements in the following activities:
- HB 25-1005 Tax Incentive for Film Festivals
- HB 25-1021 Tax Incentives for Employee-Owned Businesses
- HB 25-1157 Reauthorize Advanced Industry Tax Credit
- HB 24-1325 Tax Credits for Quantum Industry Support
- HB 24-1358 Film Incentive Tax Credit
- HB 23-1260 Advanced Industry and Semiconductor Manufacturing Incentives
STEPHAN WEILER
Professor of Economics at Colorado State University, and Founding Director of the university’s Regional Economic Development Institute (REDI@CSU)
Stephan Weiler was selected as this year’s ‘Partnership of the Year’ for his achievements in the following activities:
- Innovative Creation of the Regional Economic Development Institute (REDI): He established REDI to serve as a framework for helping communities problem-solve and collaborate with regional stakeholders, effectively bridging the gap between academia and real-world economic action.
- Translating Academic Insight into Practical Solutions: He was recognized for his unwavering commitment to collaboration and his ability to convert economic fundamentals and academic knowledge into practical, impactful solutions for communities across the state.
- Empowering the Next Generation of Economic Leaders: Dr. Weiler is recognized as a “guiding light for economic education” who has empowered a generation of students to apply economic principles directly to pressing regional challenges.
- Consistent Collaboration for Economic Vitality: The award celebrates his consistent partnership with EDCC members and stakeholders to retain, expand, and attract primary employers, ensuring the long-term sustainability and vitality of Colorado’s economy.
CHRISTINA KRAFT
Market President, Bank of Colorado – Estes Park
Christina Kraft was selected as this year’s ‘Volunteer of the Year’ for her achievements in the following activities:
- Pivotal Role in Organizational Restructuring: She led a critical organizational restructuring as the task force chair, resulting in the creation of the new Economic Development & Workforce Council (EDWC) and ensuring the organization’s structure is stronger than ever.
- Strategic Vision and Long-Term Stability: She provided eight years of expertise, strategic vision, and stability as the Vice Chair of the predecessor organization, building the foundation for a more effective economic development organization.
- Implementation of a Five-Pillar Strategic Plan: Over the past 18 months, she was instrumental in implementing strategic initiatives, including developing a new council charter and a five-pillar strategic plan (covering Education, Funding, Business Retention & Expansion, Workforce, and Communication).
- Hands-On Enhancement of Workforce Programs: Her hands-on leadership directly enhanced workforce programs, such as local Hospitality training and the BASE program, providing direct economic development support to local businesses.
SIERRA FEDDER
Redevelopment Administrator, Town of Frederick
Sierra Fedders was selected as this year’s ‘Rookie of the Year’ for her achievements in the following activities:
- Securing Critical Revitalization and Infrastructure Grants: She successfully obtained a CDOT “Revitalizing Main Streets” grant to fund a Downtown Sidewalk Repair Program, addressing longstanding ADA compliance issues in her community.
- Driving Business Attraction and Downtown Anchor Development: She developed and launched a successful Grant Program to attract new businesses, which directly resulted in securing a prominent anchor location downtown.
- Leading Business Retention and Critical Service Initiatives: She led important efforts to secure fiber internet service for the community and negotiated strategic incentives that retained key employers (including a high-tech optics firm).
- Rapid Professional Growth and Leadership Beyond Her Role: Within a short period, she was promoted to Redevelopment Administrator, assumed a supervisory role, was appointed to the IEDC International Advisory Committee, and founded the Downtown Business Taskforce.
JOHN BRISTOL, CECD
Executive Director, Routt County EDP
John Bristol was selected as this year’s ‘Chairman’s Choice Award.’
John’s distinguished contributions, unwavering support for EDCC, and a long-term commitment to the growth and sustainability of Colorado’s economy include:
- Exceptional Leadership and Statewide Mentorship: He was selected for his exceptional leadership and dedication to mentoring numerous rural communities across the state, strengthening Colorado’s statewide economic development network.
- Advancing Critical EDCC Executive Initiatives: As a member of the EDCC’s Executive Committee, he successfully advanced critical initiatives in areas such as financial governance and public policy advocacy.
- Uniting Regional Stakeholders During Economic Transition: In Northwest Colorado, he played a key role in uniting stakeholders and demonstrating the value of collaboration during significant economic transitions.
- Inspiring Future Leaders and Fostering a Culture of Partnership: His efforts have both elevated the EDCC’s mission and inspired emerging leaders to actively champion and engage in the economic development profession.
CANDACE PAYNE
Executive Director, East Central Council of Governments & Prairie Economic Development Corp.
Candace Payne was selected as this year’s ‘Economic Achievement Award’ for her achievements in the following activities:
- Exceptional Versatility and Multi-Faceted Leadership: She was recognized for serving simultaneously in six official roles (including Executive Director, Transportation Planner, and Business Loan Fund Manager), acting as the central hub for numerous regional programs in a highly rural area.
- Management of Extensive Financial and Housing Portfolios: Her organization manages a broad array of support programs, including six business loan programs, free loan packaging, down-payment assistance, and owner-occupied housing support.
- Tireless Advocacy and Amplifying Rural Voices: She is a tireless advocate who has ensured Eastern Colorado’s voice is amplified at the state level by actively engaging with the EDCC and participating on the Colorado Housing Board.
- Career-Long Dedication and Transformative Regional Impact: The award recognizes her career-long service, innovation, and steadfast commitment to strengthening business growth, housing stability, and regional development across Eastern Colorado.