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.

EDIE Criteria

Nominate Today!

Do you know someone who should be recognized for excellence in your community and economic development.

Deadline for nominations is
September 1, 2023

Nominate

Past Winner’s Circle

Meet our past winner’s going back to the inception of the EDIE Awards.

Past Winners

Thanks goes to our 2023 EDIE Awards Sponsors!

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Congratulate the 2022 Winners

Click a category below to learn more about this year’s winners.

SMALL COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR

Town of Pagosa Springs/Archuleta County

Town of Pagosa Springs/Archuleta County was selected as this year’s ‘Small Community of the Year’ (community population up to 19,999) for its achievements in the following activities:

The town and county both recognized the value and importance of putting the necessary infrastructure in place to support an economic development entity. They have dedicated annual funds to support a public private Economic Development Organization as well as serve on the Board of Directors.
The town and county have dedicated significant funds to build out broadband, creating redundant fiber loops in the downtown core and extending coverage into the more rural areas.
Recognizing that workforce housing is a major issue for this community, and the high cost of land, makes building affordable housing cost prohibitive, the county has donated 11 tracts of land to Habitat for Humanity, Since that time, both the town and county continue to prioritize housing with land purchases, donations, and additional assistance.

MEDIUM COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR

City of Northglenn

City of Northglenn 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:

With the support of the City Council, the property owners, and the community, a 64-acre master-planned community is under construction that will provide commercial development, a wide-range of housing opportunities, parks, and a trail system with many other amenities for residents and visitors. All of which will have economic multipliers providing construction and service jobs, diversified housing opportunities, and new retail and dining options.
In an effort to help build a vision for the property, Northglenn partnered with the Urban Land Institute and coordinated a Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) to evaluate the property and determine the highest and best uses for the property.
The vision of the Karl’s Farm development through the TAP effort was to create a new neighborhood village for the City of Northglenn that reflects the important agricultural and historical heritage of the farm, as well as its role in the growth of the local community.
Karl’s Farm incorporates “placemaking” attributes, including the following:

LARGE COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR

City of Fort Collins

City of Fort Collins was selected as this year’s ‘Large Community of the Year’ (community population greater than 60,000) for its achievements in the following activities:

Provide innovative business support through facilitating CEO round tables to learn best practices, support multi-cultural business owners, and connecting them to critical resources.
Offered small business grants during the pandemic that supported businesses under 50 employees, solopreneurs, artists, and musicians.
Coordinated the allocation of local, state, and federal funding for housing providers and set policies and regulations to support the development of affordable and attainable housing.
A leader in the regional Northern Colorado economic development initiative, NoCo REDI and has exemplified regional best practices and support for the region.

LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR

Representative Marc Snyder

Representative Snyder was selected as this year’s ‘Legislator of the Year’ for his leadership in strengthening Colorado’s economy through public policy achievement:

By voting against many of his colleague’s anti-business bills including the Reduction Employee Single-occupancy Vehicles Trips, Prohibit Employer Adverse Action Marijuana Use, Oversight of Chemicals Used in Oil and Gas, and Producer Responsibility Program for Recycling.
Sponsored bills like the Middle Income Access Program Expansion and the Unemployment Compensation.

LEGISLATOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Representative Barbara McLachlan

Representative McLachlan was selected as this year’s ‘Legislator Lifetime Achievement’ for her leadership in strengthening Colorado’s economy through public policy achievement:

Representative McLachlan is a champion for rural economic development, K-12 and higher education, broadband, and workforce development.
Legislative highlights include:

COMPANY OF THE YEAR AWARD

Fuel & Iron Realty

Fuel & Iron Realty was selected as this year’s ‘Company of the Year’ for their leadership and support for the community through:

Forging a bridge between its community’s industrial past and a future which honors the City of Pueblo’s diverse population and bountiful agriculture through a project including restaurant incubation and downtown housing.
The incubator includes restaurant spaces that will be occupied by local chefs and independent restauranteurs who will receive business planning and finance guidance to build their restaurant business models. Once they are ready for a brick-n-mortar location, the incubator will help them with the site selection process and due diligence.
In addition to the incubator, 28 affordable housing units have been developed on the top two floors helping bring livability and vibrancy to the downtown area.
Created strategic local and regional partnerships highlighting community building and the importance of collaboration in helping achieve goals.

PARTNERSHIP OF THE YEAR AWARD

Pueblo Community College

Pueblo Community College was selected as this year’s ‘Partnership of the Year’ for their leadership and support for the community through:

Providing workforce preparation throughout the State by way of contract training, small-business development, and involvement in local economic development planning.
Embodies EDCC’s mission to create programs that strategically retain, expand, and attract primary employers and talent by working closely with their local economic development organization. Over the years, at least nine new businesses have been relocated, creating nearly 1,900 new jobs as well as multiple expansions of existing employers in Pueblo alone.
Worked to expand services at other extension campuses including Southwest Colorado.
Pueblo Community College works closely with EVRAZ North America for over the past 2 decades providing opportunities for ongoing training for current, new, and transferring employees. Custom training programs have been co-designed including two apprenticeship programs, new mechanical and electrical millwright new-hire training, quality assurance training, and most recently, operator training for a state-of-the-art long rail mill.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Corinne Koehler | Koehler Wealth Management

Corinne Koehler, Owner of Koehler Wealth Management, was selected as this year’s ‘Volunteer of the Year’ for her leadership and support for the community through:

Corinne has raised millions of dollars through grant writing and fundraising activities in support of organizations that work to improve Pueblo’s community.
Corinne helped to establish the first Historic Preservation Commission to help preserve Pueblo’s history and heritage.
Created a 501(c)3 to pursue the purchase and redevelopment of an historic Pueblo school. The estimated $18mil project calls for a variety of small businesses, residential condominium units and event spaces. In addition to funds already raised, additional funding will come from a variety of sources including grants and tax credits.
Corinne is the co-founder of an event that raises scholarship funds for their local university and college for students studying in history, English, and journalism.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Sarah Crosthwaite | Town of Johnstown

Sarah Crosthwaite, Economic Development Manager of the Town of Johnstown, was selected as this year’s ‘Rookie of the Year’ for her exceptional ability and performance in economic development:

Sarah has helped to establish the Town of Johnstown’s first economic development program.
Sarah has secured multiple new primary employers creating over 150 high-quality jobs. Several active prospects are in the works, that when closed, would produce another $150mil investment in the community.
Sarah has assisted with several new retailers that have entered the community.
Sarah is recognized among peers for her quality of work, confidence, and collaborative nature. She exudes the competence and poise of a seasoned economic developer.
Sarah is actively seeking to obtain her CEcD designation following her course completion.

CHAIRMAN’S CHOICE AWARD

Laura Lewis Marchino | Immediate Past Chair, Region 9 Economic Development District

Laura Lewis Marchino, Immediate Past Chair, Executive Director of Region 9 Economic Development District, was selected as this year’s ‘Chairman’s Choice Award’ for her multi-year commitment to EDCC and the exceptional work that she contributed:

Laura has served six years on EDCC’s Board, five of which on the Executive Committee.
As Secretary she helped update EDCC’s Bylaw’s.
Guided EDCC committees through the strategic plan and their key performance indicators.
Chaired and lead the organization during uncertain times and helped make strategic and difficult decisions coming out of the pandemic.
Helped set the standard and job description for EDCC’s first Executive Director.
Created EDCC’s first job annual review for the Executive Director.
Helped lobby and secure $1.5 million for the state’s first Economic Development Organization (EDO) Capacity Funding. She also assisted in the creation of the grant, application process, and participated on the selection committee.
Laura assisted a public utility create a first-of-its-kind Economic Development Rate by testifying in front of the PUC several times.
Helped lobby and secure round two of a $1 million EDO Capacity.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACHIEVEMENT

Rich Werner | Upstate Colorado Economic Development

The Economic Development Achievement award is EDCC’s highest honor, celebrating an economic development practitioners outstanding achievements including their commitment to personal professional development, success in the development and retention of businesses within their community, and furthering the development of the Economic Development profession in Colorado. Rich Werner, President & CEO of Upstate Colorado, was selected for this year’s highest achievement the ‘Economic Development Achievement Award’ for his outstanding economic development contributions:

Since Rich’s tenure, 64 projects have been secured representing more than $2 billion in new investment creating almost 5000 new jobs.
Established a regional initiative to bring together the economic development efforts between Larimer and Weld counties,
Established a network of professionals charged with developing and managing the regional economic development strategy and assists businesses looking to expand or relocate to the region.
Spearheaded two grant programs focused on recovery and industry relief during the pandemic awarding over $4.6mil in grants to 480 businesses. $3mil in grants were awarded to more than 100 small businesses that suffered losses from the September 2013 floods.
Initiated the Powering Colorado campaign which strives to promote and educate other communities on the growing rural influence and impact on the energy, agriculture, manufacturing, construction and healthcare sectors.