RIFLE, Colo — It’s time once again for the annual Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce awards which honors those who have done great things in the community.
This year’s awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 5 n the Grand Ballroom at Grand River Health, 501 Airport Road, beginning at 6 p.m.
The theme this year is “Denim and Diamonds.” Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner is at 7 p.m. and the awards presentation begins at 8 p.m.
“The chamber board of directors chooses from the nominees and make their decision,” said Gina Reese-Long, special programs and membership sales coordinator for the chamber. We’ve sent out cards to let people know they were nominated and they’ll find out (the winners) that night.”
And the decision was not easy.
“It was hard to decide on some of these as they all do great things,” Long said.
Some categories, such as the “Young Professionals – 39 and under,” have been brought back this year after two years.
“And some (nominees) are in more than one category because they’re involved in a log of things,” Long said. “There are so many people that are deserving.”
The categories and nominee were:
2015 “For-Profit” Business of the Year
Columbine Ford
Crack in the Wall Gallery
Master Automotive, Inc.
Miller’s Dry Goods
Rib City Grill
Trendz Clothing Co.
Whistle Pig Coffe Stop & Cafe
2015 “Not-For-Profit” Business/Organization of the Year
Bookcliffs Council for the Arts & Humanities
Community Counts Colorado
Garfield County Public Library District
Grand River Meals On Wheels
Rifle Animal Shelter
Rifle Creek Museum/Rifle Heritage Center
The River Center of New Castle
2015 Oran H. Harmon Person of the Year
Gary Miller – Miller’s Dry Goods
George Cutting – Crack in the Wall Gallery
Jimmy Breslin – Columbine Ford
Kasey Nispel – Pearson Insurance Agency
Lee Price – The River Center of New Castle
Michael Spradlin – Rib City Grill
Rifle Police Chief John Dyer
2015 Young Professional – Rookie of the Year
Blair Bracken
Dana Wood
Misty Kearns
Samm Young
2015 Women of Distinction
Barb Corcoran – Casa of the Ninth
Becky Mall – SCS Construction & Supplies
Blair Bracken – Rifle Animal Shelter
Janet Aluise – Town of Silt
Lillian Dahlin – Wells Fargo Bank
Rachel Pokrandt – CMC
Ramona Jaeger – Canyon Cleaners
Sara Martz – Rib City Grill
2015 Ambassador of the Year
Tracy Barner – Dalby, Wendland & Co.
George Cutting – Crack in the Wall Gallery
Kristine Llacuna = Ladybug Express
Jim Lord – Jim Lord Agency/American Family Insurance
Becky Mall 0 SCS Safety and Construction Supplies
Jessica Pursley – Bank of Colorado
Gene Ulshofffer- Living Star Energies and Massage
Leanne Worton – Rifle Moms for Moms
“The John Scalzo lifetime achievement award is determined by the its committee and will be announced at the awards ceremony.
The award banquet is sponsored this year by the Jim Lord Agency/ American Family Insurance and Goldstar Realty in Rifle.
