Twenty-eight awards were presented at the 2011 SDA Annual Conference held in Breckenridge at the Friday, September 16, luncheon.

SDA Board Treasurer, John McCaulley, who himself is an employee of, and serves on the board of a special district, presented the awards to the winners, with over 600 people in attendance. These awards signify the commitment and dedication of those who continue to serve Colorado special districts.

SDA congratulates the following people and districts:

Fort Collins—Loveland Water District winner of the J. Evan Goulding District of the Year Award
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Fort Collins-Loveland Water District, FCLWD, has met the demand of growth without negatively impacting its customers by using visionary planning since 1961. Not only has it maintained a thriving and successful relationship with the district’s Agricultural community, FCLWD was one of the first districts to utilize IGAs in order to ensure the most reliable and cost-effective service possible. Now encompassing 60 square miles and serving over 14,000 taps within Fort Collins, Loveland, Timnath, Windsor, and unincorporated Larimer County, FCLWD will continue to exceed expectations and provide outstanding service to its residents.

Apex Park and Recreation District winner of the 2011 Collaboration Award
Although the collaboration between Apex Park and Recreation District and the City of Arvada was signed into effect in 1999, it is actually the product of a long-standing partnership that began with the founding of the District in 1956. During this time, the two entities have effectively managed resources, demand, and land use through expense sharing and cooperative master planning involving projects such as the Ralston-Central Park, K-8 Neighborhood Park, the Apex Field House, and Apex Simms Street Center. Each entity cross promotes its partner and participates in community events to maintain strong ties and solidify the cooperative relationship. It is because of these mutually beneficial entrepreneurial efforts that the collaboration between Apex Park and Recreation District and the City of Arvada promises to be a successful one in the years to come.

James T. Walker winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award
James Walker has been an outstanding board member of the Alameda Water and Sanitation District for over 47 years all the while serving as a founding member of the Special District Association of Colorado; he has served on the SDA Board since 1977.

Jim joined the Alameda Water and Sanitation District in its first 12 years and was instrumental in its expansion, as well as keeping it fiscally responsible and financially stable. Alameda Water has maintained a high quality of service.

Mr. Walker was one of the driving forces behind the Colorado Special Districts Property and Liability Insurance Pool, and actively recruited members for both the Pool and SDA. Jim has attended every SDA Conference, with the exception of this year. He was recently hospitalized for a fall and was unable to attend.
The SDA Board and Staff are proud to honor James Walker with this award and they gratefully acknowledge Jim’s dedication and service to special districts and to SDA in particular.

Charles Dwyer, Bear Creek Water and Sanitation District winner of the Board Member of the Year Award
In his 9 years of service on the Bear Creek Water and Sanitation District Board, the business acumen of Charles Dwyer has incorporated excellence into all levels of District Operations. In addition to his many duties as a Board member for both the District and the Colorado Special Districts Property & Liability Pool, Charles actively provides his expertise in insurance as a teacher, consultant, and financial manager to Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters. His contributions to policy and procedure have resulted in a more refined and efficient budgeting and auditing process, and under his direction, the District’s insurance portfolio more closely meets the needs of the District in a cost-effective manner.

Stan Gengler, Estes Valley Recreation and Park District winner of the Manager of the Year Award
Stan Gengler has served as the Executive Director for Estes Valley Recreation and Park District for 23 years. Through his dedication, responsibility and commitment, Stan transformed the nearly bankrupt Estes Valley Recreation and Park District into a financially solvent and highly respected district. As an outstanding leader, he has cultivated a work place ethic that stresses excellence and encourages the growth of quality managers. His tireless efforts have produced strong public and private partnerships with the Town of Estes Park, the Estes Valley School District, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, as well as many other organizations. Stan is also a gifted grant-writer, organizer, and fund-raiser, securing financial support from many sources, which assured the completion of several major projects that would not have existed otherwise. It’s not surprising that in the history of his time with the District, he has never missed a single Board Meeting, and there have been well over 600.

Collaboration Award Honorable Mentions
Honorable mention awards were given to the following districts:

• Centennial Water and Sanitation District—Trail Crossing Marcy Gulch
• Eagle Bend Metropolitan District—Northwest Garden
• Highlands Ranch Metro District—Shared Employees
• Pueblo West Metropolitan District—Pueblo West/Fort Carson Practicum
• Park Meadows Metropolitan District—Quebec C-470 Interchange
• South Suburban Park and Recreation District—East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District, Arapahoe Park and Recreation District
• Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority
• South Suburban Park and Recreation District—South Platte Working Group, Cities of Littleton, Sheridan, Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Village, and Englewood, Town of Columbine Valley, Arapahoe County Open Space and Trail, Trust for Public Land, South Suburban Park Foundation and South Metro Land Conservancy
• St. Vrain Sanitation District—Weld County Tri Area Sanitation District, Dacono Sanitation District
• Western Eagle County Metro Recreation District—Edward Area Metro District, Eagle County School District Eagle County, Berry Creek Metro District, Towns of Gypsum and Eagle, Cordillera Metro District and other non-profit organizations

Distinguished Board Member Awards
Distinguished Board Member awards with given to the following people:

• George Arellano, Eagle Bend Metro District # 2
• William Beahan, Cherokee Metro District
• Don Ciancio II, Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District
• Sarah Heil, Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District
• Philip Varley, Ken-Caryl Ranch Water and Sanitation District

Distinguished Manager Awards
Distinguished Manager awards with given to the following people:

• Eric Byrd, Willowbrook Water and Sanitation District
• Jack Dietrich, Crested Butte South Metropolitan District
• Mike Dooley, Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District
• Bob Egizi, Cordillera Metropolitan District
• James Hoar, Cañon City Area Metropolitan Recreation and Park District
• Joe Rottman, Chatfield South Water District
• Gerry Schulte, Evergreen Metropolitan District
• Harvey Teyler, Alamosa Mosquito Control District
• Michael Wicklund, Monument Sanitation District