2026 Conservation Awards

By Vicky Gits Staff Writer                  Photos: Jefferson County Parks and Open Space

Conservation Awards night Jan. 29, 2026, at the Lakewood Cultural Center did not disappoint, with inspiring videos starring parks volunteers raving about how much they enjoy their duties, even cleaning toilets for Jefferson County Parks and Open Space.

The annual awards night is a tradition that has taken place since 2018 with the exception of 2021, when it was suspended because of COVID.

Currently there are about 550 regular, ongoing volunteers donating thousands of hours per year to educate visitors, build and maintain trails, restore vegetation, give advice to hikers, supply toilet paper, pick up litter and welcome visitors. A couple of thousand also turn out for one-time projects.

Emceeing the event this year was the newly appointed director of JCPOS, Aaron Roth, former National Park Service deputy regional director of eight states, in Lakewood for 20 years. His responsibilities there included oversight of Rocky Mountain and Great Sand Dunes national parks in Colorado.

In his remarks, Roth gave credit to past director Tom Hoby for leading the organization through 15 years of growth and bringing it to where it is today.

Roth noted the creation of Clear Creek Canyon Park and acquisition of Mount Tom and the Douglas Mountain lands among Hoby’s achievements. In honor of Hoby’s contributions, Jeffco County Commissioners presented him with a Legacy Award.

The 2026 award-winners were chosen from a group of 18 staff-chosen nominees. The winners are selected by staff and leadership.

The winners are kept a secret from the general audience and announced from the stage of the Lakewood Cultural Center with a video profile, highlighting their accomplishments and philosophies.

The videos of the award winners can be viewed on youtube.com  or search in a browser for 2026 Jefferson County Conservation Awards

Aspen Award – for the outstanding new volunteer, or rookie award

Lisa Crankshaw, Coal Creek Canyon Land Steward and Trailhead Steward

Crankshaw is not required to clean the bathrooms, but she does it proudly because she believes in giving any job her best, never taking a shortcut and having fun at the same time.  “Any little bit that you can give back is worth it,” she says. “Cleaning a toilet is not the most popular volunteer opportunity. But taking care of those little things is important. And we always get thanked.”

Rocky Mountain Juniper Award – for exceptional stewardship initiatives

Cliff Deakyne, barb wire crew, nature educator, park patroller and trails

Deakyne logged almost 400 hours of volunteering the last year. It’s a way of expressing his love of the outdoors, he says. Whether it’s building trails, teaching children or being a presence to visitors, it all gives him a chance to be outside. He enjoys the different tasks and the feeling of helping make the outside space a place for other people to enjoy. He especially likes reaching out to the young because it makes him feel “like grandpa to 100 kids.”

Douglas Fir Award – for outstanding organization helping to advance conservation

OneCanopy Revegetation Program, Katelynn Martinez, director of operations and business development

The seedling tree nursery based in Loveland uses seeds that are specifically grown for selected landscapes.  OneCanopy started working with Jefferson County in 2023. Before the Quarry fire in Deer Creek Canyon Park started July 30, 2024, OneCanopy had a supply of regionally appropriate seeds on hand in a seed bank, enabling Open Space to start planting seedlings only a year later or much sooner than typically is normal.

Blue Spruce Award – for connecting youth to healthy outdoor experiences

BeyondHome Youth Program (Arvada), Jenni Kinney, youth coordinator (center); Cheri Godwin (left); Zoe Jennings (right)

Through weekly summer outings in Jeffco parks, children involved in the BeyondHome program learn to relax, which helps them learn self-sufficiency skills. BeyondHome works with homeless or about-to-be homeless to achieve independence by providing housing at reduced rates and classes in financial literacy and job readiness until they are on their own earning a livable wage and without government assistance. Struggling families typically don’t have time for outdoor activities but BeyondHome gives children the opportunity to be themselves and just be kids. The kids discover “that the outdoors is for them too,” says Jenni Kinney, youth coordinator of BeyondHome.

Gambel Oak Award – for being a pioneer in his work with NoCo

Steve Coffin, Former Executive Director of NoCo Places

Created in 2018, NoCo Places is an alliance of Front Range counties and government natural resources agencies, formed to address the impact of increasing visitation on wildlife, scenic lands and the Colorado experience. Under Steve Coffin’s leadership, NoCo Places developed a common vision and collaborative approach to preserving and protecting the state’s special beauty. A colleague described Coffin as captain of the ship and visionary architect.  “He brings together people and gets things done,” says Shannon Schaller, deputy regional director with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Member groups are Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties, as well as Jeffco Parks and Open Space, Denver Mountain Parks, Larimer County Natural Resources, the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.

John Litz Award – Lifetime Achievement award for significant and longtime volunteer contributions

Tim Cousineau and Wendy Woods, Park Hosts and Park Host Mentoring

“We don’t look at our jobs as going above and beyond. We just like being outside and we just love it.” –Wendy Woods. 

Wendy and Tim have been partners in the volunteer program for 18 years. “Open Space has given us so much over the years we like to be able to spread that joy to all the visitors and help them,” says Wendy. What makes them so special? “They are just so friendly and affable. They have an unbelievable gift in how to meet guests and make people feel comfortable and they are as enthused about it now as when they first started,” says colleague Gordon Van Zanten. “They are good sports.  They don’t think of themselves as volunteers. They have a passion for doing a job and getting it done.”

Miss Mountain Manners is so proud of each of these winners. They have done extraordinary work for our Open Space Parks. They truly are sterling examples of what it means to go above and beyond.

Volunteer Opportunities:   For ongoing and one-day-at-a-time volunteer opportunities, go to https://www.jeffco.us/1567/Volunteer for more information.

Once a year in early February Jeffco sponsors a Volunteer Recruitment Fair and accepts applications for various jobs in park hosting, patrolling and trail maintenance, among other things. Depending on the position, you may not have to wait until next year to apply – some positions accept new volunteers year-round. Go to https://www.jeffco.us/1567/Volunteer and join the fun!