Susan initiated, received funding, championed and became the Project Manager for the Master Plan.  This resulted in a plan that answered salient questions and charted the course for sound management of this world-class park system.

Janell Barrilleaux
Denver International Airport

 

Janell was the driving force behind DIA's Environmental Management System (EMS) implementation and subsequent ISO 14001 certification.  Because of her actions, DIA has completed several projects with an environmental benefit.

Joe Davis
Theatres & Arenas

 

Joe has made huge efforts the past year in the greening of Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Denver Coliseum.  His examples of recycling and composting have set an example for other venues across the nation.

Dolores Gallegos
Public Works, Fleet Maintenance

Dolores has improved processes and procedures to various City agencies, vendors and the citizens of Denver with her professionalism and accountability.   Her creative approach to the Residential Plow Program ensured that there were always enough plows to cover the City.

Guadalupe Gutierrez-Vasquez
Department of Finance, Treasury Division

Lupe has displayed her acumen in fiscal modeling with her abilities to positively engage in discussions and information sharing between the City, DURA, Park Creek Metro District and Forrest City about the Stapleton project.  Her efforts with the Stapleton project provided important economic and social advantages to the City.

 

Sara Harmer
Technology Services

Sara faced a daunting matrix of tasks as project manager for all technology-related needs of the Denver Elections Division in one of the largest elections in the City's history. The success of all of the Division's voter registration, data processing, polling place, ballot processing, customer service and public information services to Denver citizens were highly dependent on the projects Sara managed.

 

Ryan Nisogi
Career Service Authority

Ryan's creative design and strategic marketing skills are only matched by his dedication to the City and County of Denver. In addition to his regular duties, Ryan spent much of 2008 working with the City's web site team to create a dynamic intranet for employees and enhancing the external site for job applicant, helping position the City as a customer- focused and responsive organization.

 

Lee Ragon
Denver Parks and Recreation

As a long-time member of the Aquatics Division in Denver Parks and Recreation, Lee's vision of keeping the department on the cutting edge of safety and training reached another milestone in 2008. Lee rallied support, funding and donations to bring life-saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to 29 recreation centers and outdoor pools.

 

Michael Rappe
Denver Police Department

Technician Mike Rappe oversees the Denver Police Department's "Volunteers in Policing Services" (VIPS) unit which taps into citizens to support the DPD with perfunctory duties. Thanks to the Mike's diligence, passion and leadership, more then 27,000 hours were volunteered through the VIPS program last year, which is approximately $550,000 in value.

 

Delfino Rodriguez
Community Planning and Development

As a neighborhood inspector and Graffiti Fellow in the Mayor's Office, Delfino exemplifies the City's STARS values in his department, when working with elected officials and in dealing with citizens in the field. The effect of his efforts is a better understanding, resident by resident, business by business, of how City services work on citizens' behalf.

 

Lynn Rubner
Denver International Airport

Lynn's work behind the scenes with many of the technology systems at DIA was recognized by airlines and airports alike. She successfully completed a Visual Paging project, bringing DIA into compliance with Americans with Disability standards, and the standards she created for Airport Information Hub-AIH project are being adopted by airports worldwide.

 

Bobbi Smith
Office of Economic Development

Under Bobbi's leadership and support the "Temporary Assistance for Needy Families" (TANF) program, more than 150 employment opportunities were created and more than 500 refugees were provided employment placement, training opportunities and supportive service, and TANF increased employment placement rates by up to 50 percent.

 

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Team Summaries

Community Recreation
Parks and Recreation

The Community Recreation Team created and developed new and innovative programs for youth ages 12-15.  Working together they secured grants and other funding to engage young people in a positive way on Friday and Saturday nights.

 

DIA PV Solar Plant
Denver International Airport

The DIA Solar Team installed the second largest solar photovoltaic facility yet built at a US commercial airport resulting in reduced carbon dioxide, reduced fossil fuel consumption and cost savings for the City and County of Denver.

 

Election Division Construction/Facility Team
General Services

The Election Division Construction/Facility Team looked at many options to relocate to a bigger space while staying within the budget while providing a great, new Elections facility.  These actions resulted in an improved resource for the City and County of Denver.

 

Environmental Management System (EMS) Team
Environmental Health

 

Using the ISO 14001 process the EMS Team put in an environmental management system (EMS) for six City agencies to better manage environmental aspects and impacts to reduce impacts to air, land and water.  The EMS was certified in November 2008 and will be expanded to another nine agencies in 2009, eventually leading to a citywide EMS.

 

Fleet Maintenance Division
Public Works

 

The Fleet Maintenance Division worked hard in 2008 to promote a green action agenda.  A few of these initiatives include securing a hybrid trash truck, reaching 5% of the City Fleet with hybrid-electric vehicles, purchasing 1.4 million gallons of biodiesel fuel, using environmentally-friendly automotive paint and reducing hazardous waste generation.

 

Denver Great Kids Head Start
Office of Education and Children

 

The Denver Great Kids Head Start under a new director and excellent teamwork from all the DGKHS staff successfully obtained a Head Start Federal Grant for the next three years totaling $23 million, completed a metro-wide community assessment of Head Stat programs and a new contracting system for the contract services needed by Head Start.


Landfill Gas-to-Energy Team
Environmental Health

 

The Landfill Gas-to-Energy Team successfully developed and implemented a project to capture and convert landfill gas into a renewable energy source via a landfill gas-to-energy plant.  This accomplishment resulted in greenhouse gas reductions by offsetting the use of fossil fuel at the local utility power plant at a cost savings of about $80,000 per year.

 

Denver Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Finance, Motor Vehicle Division

 

The Denver Motor Vehicle Division in cooperation with the State of Colorado developed a one stop license plate and driver's license facility.  With the new intergovernmental facility, Denver residents have the convenience of performing their business within the same proximity with a unique and pleasant customer service experience.

 

Citywide Payroll & Administrative Services Division
Department of Finance, Controller's Office

 

The Citywide Payroll Services Division undertook the process of centralizing all payroll services under the Office of the Controller.  They partnered with CSA and ERS to develop communication and training plans.  As a result of the centralization the City recognized $1.5 million in sustainable cost savings and will also see a substantial return on investment related to the Kronos system that was rolled out in 2008.

 

Rude Rec Center Revitalization Team
Parks and Recreation

 

The Rude Rec Center Revitalization Team set out to reinvent itself by increasing facility usage, program participation and revenues while at the same time reaching out to those residents who had not used the Rude Recreation Center.  Their public outreach efforts have yielded impressive results and have made the Center a model for other recreation centers.

 

Southwest Park District
Parks and Recreation

 

The Southwest Park District prioritized water conservation as their primary focus for 2008.  They focused upon infrastructure improvements, staffing analysis, education and collaboration.  The district saved 21,865,000 gallons of water roughly translating into just over $40,000 in savings while fostering an excellent model of teamwork.

 

TANF Employment Services Team
Office of Economic Development

 

The TANF Employment Services Team provided services that significantly improved the work participation rate for residents receiving TANF benefits.  This was accomplished by redesigning work processes, retraining staff, establishing clear criteria for accountability and creating a culture of respect for recipients and staff.