Blue Grama Awards

Every year the Colorado Open Space Alliance acknowledges outstanding projects through the Blue Grama Awards.

Outstanding Achievement by an Organization or Individual – This award is given to an individual and/or organization that has made significant contributions to the conservation of Colorado's open spaces, community engagement, and/or conservation policy. The nominee’s impact should extend beyond their agency/organization, county, or municipality and should have lasting implications to open space conservation throughout the state. Nominees should show outstanding leadership achievement through acquisition, land management actions, community engagement, public safety, and/or public policy.One award is given to an individual and a second to a group or organization that have made significant contributions to the conservation of Colorado's open spaces. Nominees should have made a contribution recognized throughout the State of Colorado, an accomplishment with impact beyond the individual’s organization or agency. Nominees should show outstanding leadership achievement through acquisition, land management actions, or public policy.

Outstanding Achievement in Community Partnership and Collaboration – This award recognizes achievements made in open space conservation, management, or community engagement through partnerships and collaborative efforts. The nominee’s work should include at least two or more contributing organizations which demonstrate that through collaboration, they have achieved outstanding accomplishments in open space preservation and conservation. Partnerships may include open space agencies, nonprofit entities, business groups, community organizations, local, state, and/or federal government programs or divisions.

Outstanding Visitor Engagement Program – This award is presented to an open space organization that shows innovation and leadership in volunteer engagement, environmental education, interpretation, and/or diversity and inclusion practices. Nominees must demonstrate that they have engaged in creative and exemplary work that enhances the visitor experience through education programs, volunteer opportunities, interpretive media, and/or other innovative public engagement strategies.

Outstanding Achievement in Ecological Restoration or Recreation Management - This award recognizes projects or programs that have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in ecological restoration or recreation management resulting in the conservation/protection of natural resources, enhancements in the health of a landscape, and/or the improvement of an open space area to promote safe and sustainable recreational practices. This award may also recognize innovative and successful research and monitoring programs as well as the development of sustainable recreational facilities.

2019 Nominations

Nominations for the 2019 Blue Grama Awards are due July 16.

Nomination Instructions & Application

Outstanding Ecological Management Program

2016 CPW - Aquatic and Fisheries

2015 South Suburban P&R Dist. - Rehabilitation South Platte Park

2014 Ft. Collins Natural Areas Department Resource Mgmt. Work Group - Cache La Poudre Restoration

2013 Rocky Mountain Field Institute Volunteer Restoration Projects

2012 Devil's Backbone Restoration Project - Larimer County

2011 Breckenridge - Cucumber Gulch

2010 Bryon Shipley - Rattlesnake Research (Denver Zoo)

2009 Boulder County - Platt Rogers Stream Restoration

2008 Ramsay Shockey - Larimer County (Forest Mgmt.)

Outstanding Outdoor Recreation or Environmental Ed. Program

2016 Native Plant Master - Barbara Fahey

2015 City of Boulder - Classical Music Nature Hikes

2014 CPW - Schools and Outdoor Learning Environments

2013 Ag. Division of Boulder Co. Parks and Open Space - Ag. Tours

2012 City of Boulder - Access to Trails Videos

2011 Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory

2010 Castle Rock P&R - Colorado Bluebird Project

2009 Saddle Rock Golf Course - Native Plants, Aurora Parks and Open Space

2008 Preda-Tour, Aurora Parks and Open Space

2019 Nominations

2018 Nominations

Past Award Winners

Outstanding Achievements by an Organization

Outstanding Achievement by an Individual

Outstanding Ecological Management Program

Outstanding Outdoor Recreation or Environmental Ed. Program