Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Techniques LLC for earning the City of Northglenn's Large Business of the Year Award.

The Large Business of the Year Award is given to a large business that has made outstanding contributions for the betterment of the community. Since the 1970's, Techniques has been an esteemed provider of high precision machined components and assemblies, serving industries ranging from aerospace to dental. With decades of experience and a loyal clientele, Techniques is known for exceeding expectations and needs.

Congratulations to Techniques LLC for receiving this award and I wish them all the best in the future. I thank them for their contribution to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize The Courts Sports Complex of Northglenn, Colorado for receiving the City of Northglenn Investment Award.

The Northglenn Investment award is given to a Northglenn business that has made significant investments to improve their business or in the community. This year, the award is being presented to The Courts Sports Complex. This state-of-the-art, multipurpose sports facility is a welcomed addition to the Northglenn community. It hosts thousands of eager spectators and athletes alike each year. The massive 32,000 square foot complex can host basketball, volleyball, and several other sports to create Colorado's next great athletes.

I would like to extend a personal congratulations to the team over at The Courts Sports Complex for receiving this award. They are certainly deserving of all this recognition and more. I would also like to thank them for being such outstanding leaders in the community, and for helping to bring recreation and jobs to Northglenn. I wish The Courts Sports Complex nothing but the best in the future, as they continue to be a favorite spot for athletes of all ages.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the SCL Health Heart and Vascular Institute at Northglenn for receiving the Northglenn Mid-Size Business of the Year Award.

The Northglenn Mid-Sized Business of the Year Award is given to a mid-sized business that has made outstanding contributions for the betterment of the community. This year, the award goes to the SCL Health and Heart and Vascular Institute at Northglenn. This SCL Institute is a leader in cardiovascular health treatment and is committed to wide accessibility to medical treatment on the front range. The SCL Institute at Northglenn combines kindness, compassion, excellent medical care, and state-of-the-art technology to help community members enter upcoming stages of their lives.

I personally thank the SCL Health and Heart and Vascular Institute at Northglenn for its dedication to providing outstanding care. I am eager to see this Institute continue delivering top-of-the-line care to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Marie Beeler for receiving the Arvada Chamber of Commerce's Woman of the Year Award.

This award is given to a member of the community who has displayed outstanding leadership and a passion for helping those around them. Marie has been described as a local hero. someone who sees the good in people, and who is able to recognize the issues facing her community and tackle them head on.

Through her work with HOPE (Help Our People Eat), Arvada High School, Severe Weather Network, migrant ministry, Hope House and a variety of other causes and organizations, she has helped feed thousands of Coloradans in need. She personally hauls loads of canned goods, backpacks full of school supplies and other heavy items in and out of her truck. Her passion comes from a deep belief that a child is only able to learn when he/she fed and alert. Enabling children to learn will ensure they get an education which will lead to a good-paying job and success beyond the classroom. Marie has continuously served as the voice and a champion for those who need it most--the disenfranchised, the poor, or the minority--across Arvada.

Congratulations to Marie Beeler for receiving the Woman of the Year Award. Her hard work, compassion and dedication to our community is greatly appreciated.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Edward Rothschild for receiving the Arvada Chamber of Commerce's Man of the Year Award.

This award is given to a member of the community who has displayed outstanding leadership and a passion for helping those around them. As a business owner, advocate, and dedicated volunteer for his community, Edward has proven himself to be a champion for businesses and the larger Arvada community.

He has served in many leadership roles in the community including on the Arvada Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Advocacy KAPS Council; the Sooper Credit Union Community Foundation Board; Bike Friendly Arvada Board; City of Arvada Chatter Review Committee; and the Whisper Creek Townhomes Homeowners Association. He also volunteers his time with numerous organizations such as the Arvada Planning Commission, Foothills Animal Shelter Foundation, and MS Society of CO/WY. In addition to volunteering, Edward has helped support and sponsor several local organizations such as Arvada Festivals Commission, Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities, Bicycle Colorado, Chabad of NW Denver, Colorado Environmental Film Festival and Colorado Automobile Dealers Association.

Congratulations to Edward Rothschild for receiving the Man of the Year Award. His hard work, leadership and dedication to our community is greatly appreciated.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Justin Andrade for receiving the Arvada Chamber of Commerce's Image Award.

Justin is known as a selfless and inspirational young man who grew up in Arvada. He became a local hero after running 280 miles from Adams State University in Alamosa, Colo. back home to Arvada in honor of his childhood friend, Cameron Holland, and to raise funds for the Cameron Holland Scholarship.

Justin's courageous, ultra-marathon-like efforts demonstrated his commitment and leadership abilities and I wish him all the best in the future. Congratulations to him on receiving this award and I look forward to his future accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joe Hengstler for receiving the Arvada Chamber of Commerce's Young Professional Award.

The Young Professional Award is given to an up-and-coming Arvada community member who has stood out for their work over the past year. As Executive Director at the Olde Town Arvada Business Improvement District, Joe has proven to be a steady force during the pandemic, tirelessly working to support Olde Town businesses and the Arvada community as a whole. Joe led the organization during a pivotal time and developed new and creative ways to aid businesses during a difficult time. Joe also volunteers his time with the Arvada Festivals Commission and helps lead the Arvada on Tap Festival.

Having worked with Joe personally, I want to extend my appreciation for his leadership and contribution to our community and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. Congratulations to him on receiving the Arvada Chamber of Commerce's Young Professional Award.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Deanna Mayberry for receiving the Arvada Chamber of Commerce's Young Professional Award.

The Young Professional Award is given to an up-and-coming Arvada community member who has stood out for their work over the past year. As the associate director at BeyondHome, a non-profit aiming to help families become financially self-sufficient, Deanna works to educate and improve the quality of life of our community's most vulnerable. Over the course of her three years with BeyondHome, she has helped grow the organization and more than doubled the grant income in just one year, helping many low-income families transition from public assistance to purchasing their own homes. Deanna also volunteers with Reintegra and is an active member of the Arvada Chamber's Young Professionals group.

Congratulations to Deanna Mayberry for receiving the Young Professional Award and for her leadership and contributions to our community. I wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Curtis Fay for receiving the Arvada Chamber of Commerce's Rising Star Award.

The Rising Star Award is given to a young Arvada resident who has shown the potential for great community leadership for years to come. Curtis is a student at Arvada High School and has a special passion for technology and has found ways to use technology as a way to help fellow students and teachers. He even created a new internship position at the school focusing on technology assistance. He also assisted in overseeing numerous events at Arvada High.

Congratulations to Curtis Fay for receiving the Rising Star Award and for his contributions to our community. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Glen Keller for his decades of service to the Colorado Westernaires organization.

For almost forty years, Glen has served as President of the Colorado Westernaires, a local non-profit which provides training in western riding, precision drills and horse care for local youth ranging from 9 to 19 years old. A lifelong resident of Colorado, Glen moved to Jefferson County in 1964. He started a law practice and in 1983 joined the Westernaires organization. During his decades of service, he has inspired and mentored thousands of young adults as they learn the values of the organization including leadership, self-respect and personal responsibility through horsemanship, western heritage and community belonging.

Previously, Glen served on the board of the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo which the Westernaires competes in every year.

In addition to his service to the Westernaires community, Glen is a loving husband and loving father. He has been married to his wife Liz for over 55 years, the proud father of two daughters, and a devoted grandfather to five grandchildren.

I have had the opportunity to meet with Glen and participate in Westernaires events on several occasions and I have been inspired by his contribution to the organization. I wish Glen all the best and send gratitude for his service to our community and to the State of Colorado.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Kiwanis Club of Wheat Ridge, Colorado for receiving the 2021 Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year Award.

The Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year Award is given to an organization in Wheat Ridge which has gone above and beyond in the name of service to the Wheat Ridge community. Kiwanis International is a nonprofit organization that partakes in volunteer opportunities all around the world. Their chapter in Wheat Ridge has shown amazing commitment and leadership to our community at a time when they were needed the most.

Congratulations to the Kiwanis Club of Wheat Ridge for receiving this award and I thank them for their contributions to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sean Neelan of Wheat Ridge, Colorado for receiving the 2021 Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award.

The Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes a member of the Wheat Ridge community for their outstanding volunteer services and contribution to their local community. Sean Neelan is the recipient of this year's award due to his unmatched willingness and dedication to answer the call of his community. Sean went above and beyond and dedicated countless hours of service to the Wheat Ridge community.

Congratulations to Sean Neelan for his public service and I extend my deep appreciation for his contributions to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tadd Overstreet and Stylus & Crate of Wheat Ridge, Colorado for receiving the 2021 Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award.

The Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award is meant to recognize a Wheat Ridge Business for their outstanding performance in business during the past year. Stylus & Crate, a coffee shop in the heart of Wheat Ridge, greets visitors with fantastic art and music to match. With plenty of vinyl records to choose from, the local coffee shop always provides an uplifting and fun experience for its patrons. Additionally, Stylus & Crate prides itself on responsibly sourcing all of its coffee.

Congratulations to the Stylus & Crate team for their contributions to our community, particularly during a challenging year. I wish them all the best in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kimberly Sereff of the American Federation of Government Employees on her retirement.

For thirty years, Kimberly has tirelessly served the Federal government within multiple agencies and across a variety of positions. Kimberly started her public service career as a Federal Investigator with the Office of Personal Management. Three years later, she took a position conducting compliance investigations for the U.S. Department of Labor. After eight years of service, she moved to the U.S. Department of Housing where she was recognized with the Award of Excellence presented by the Secretary of HUD for her assistance during Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts in 2006. Her hard work and dedication to public service is tremendous.

In addition to her service to the Federal government, Kimberly has been very active with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization. In 2011 and 2012 she was awarded by the organization for her volunteer and mentoring efforts. I have had the opportunity to meet with Kimberly on several occasions and I have been inspired by her work ethic and contributions to our community.

I wish Kimberly all the best in retirement and send gratitude for her service to our community, the State of Colorado, and the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the All- American City Team of Wheat Ridge, Colorado for receiving the Wheat Ridge Business Association's 2021 Special Recognition City Award.

The Special Recognition City Award is given to a person, group or organization in Wheat Ridge who exemplifies outstanding service, leadership, and participation in the community. The All-American City designation is given to cities that have exemplified extraordinary qualities as a municipality and provides a great quality of life for its residents. The City of Wheat Ridge is most certainly deserving of this designation, thanks to the help of the All-American City Team. Its members include Val Nessler Beck, Kate Cooke, Terry Gale, Rachel Hultin, Eugene Kahng, Diana Lopez, Kathleen Martell, Joy Opp, Morgan Richards, Jenny Snell, Jesse Johnson, Adam Wylie, Coco Beck, Thalia Beck, Dave Nosler, and Matt Emerson. These men and women display passion and commitment to their community, and I appreciate their hard work to ensure the City of Wheat Ridge gets the recognition it deserves.

Congratulations to City of Wheat Ridge's All-American City Team for their contribution to the Wheat Ridge community and for receiving this award.