CTC CommuniTree Awards

The CommuniTree Awards Program recognizes individuals and organizations that epitomize the mission of the Colorado Tree Coalition through their efforts to preserve, renew and enhance Colorado’s urban and community forests. The three recognition categories and descriptions are:

  • Distinguished Service Award is given to a professional community forester/arborist and/or a volunteer that have contributed significantly to the health and sustainability of Colorado’s community forests in the past year

  • Sustainable Urban Forestry Award is given to an individual, business, or organization that has fostered evolution in our use of trees and appreciation of the value of trees within our communities as a critical component of resilient and thriving places.

  • Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual whose work, over the course of their entire career, has unfailingly served to preserve, renew, and enhance community forests.

If you know someone you feel meets one of these categories and deserves to be recognized and honored for their efforts, please nominate them! Click here to nominate an individual/organization for a 2024 award. Nominations are due by Friday, November 1st.

2023 Award Recipients

Luke Killoran

  • Micaela Truslove (nominated by Allison Serafin Steere) was presented the 2023 Sustainable Forestry Award for her unwavering commitment to sustainable urban forestry through advocacy, education, and community engagement. Micaela's leadership in replanting efforts following the Marshall Fire have revitalized communities affected by the fire and have ensured the long-term sustainability of their community forests.

  • Luke Killoran (nominated by Neal Bamesberger) was presented the 2023 Distinguished Service Award for his commitment to honoring military service members through dedicated involvement with Saluting Branches. His service and leadership have united diverse groups to enhance Fort Logan National Cemetery and honors our veterans by making their final resting place beautiful and safe for their loved ones to visit.

  • Donna Davis (nominated by Neal Bamesberger) was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for her 39 years of exemplary service with the Colorado State Forest Service as the Eastern Urban and Community Forestry Manager. Her dedication to organizing conferences, tree planting projects, and supporting the Colorado Tree Coalition and Front Range Urban Forestry Council has significantly advanced urban and community forestry.

Previous Award Recipients

  • Linda Langelo

    2022 Distinguished Service Award Recipient

  • Ralph Zentz (accepting on behalf of Kendra Boot), David Merriman, and Shiloh Hatcher

    2022 Sustainable Urban Forestry Award presented to Kendra Boot, Riley Krudop, and Dana Coelho. 2022 Distinguished Service Award to David Merriman. 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award to Shiloh Hatcher.

  • Neal Bamesberger, Gertie Grant, Dana Coelho, and David Flaig

    Neal Bamesberger, Gertie Grant, Dana Coelho, and David Flaig

    2021 Sustainable Urban Forestry Award presented to Neal Bamesberger, 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Gertie Grant, and 2021 Distinguished Service Award presented to David Flaig.

  • Ralph Zentz 2016

    Presented the Distinguished Service Award for leading the Northern Colorado Pest Group, the Emerging Pests Committee of the Front Range Urban Forestry Council, and planning   the successful Plant Health Care Workshops.

  • Toni Evans 2016

    Toni Evans was presented the Distinguished Service Award for planning, supervising and participating in Ordway’s South Park tree planting and overall dedication and commitment to the Town of Ordway.

  • Scott Grimes 2016

    Scott Grimes was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for his years of service to the arboriculture and green industries of Colorado, two-terms as Colorado Tree Coalition President, and passionate efforts as an arborist and forester to preserve, renew and enhance community forests.


  • Donna Davis, Kyle Sylvester, & Doug Schoch 2016

    Donna Davis, Kyle Sylvester, & Doug Schoch were presented the Distinguished Service Award for coordinating the Colorado Tree Coalition’s 5th grade poster contest and promoting the benefits of community forests to children, their families, schools and legislative representatives in the process.

  • Tim Buchanan 2017

    Tim Buchanan, Manager of Forestry for the City of Fort Collins, was presented the CommuniTree Lifetime Achievement Award for his years of service to the City of Fort Collins.

  • Peter Schertz 2017

    Peter Schertz was presented the Sustainable Urban Forest Award.

  • Becky Wegner 2018

    Becky Wegner, long-time board member of the CTC and Certified Arborist with SavATree was presented the Lifetime Achievment Award for her many years of service as the Board Treasurer.

  • Keith Wood 2019

    Keith Wood, long-time board member of CTC, was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for his many years of service as the Executive Administrator.