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! We will begin accepting nominations for 2025 CommuniTree Awards in October of 2025.

2024 Award Recipients

2024 Distinguished Service Award, Marilyn Loser

Adam Moore with Colorado State Forest Service (right) and Andy Rice with City of Alamosa (middle) present Marilyn Loser (left) with the 2024 Distinguished Service Award.

Watch the Distinguished Service Award presentation!

The 2024 Distinguished Service Award was presented to Marilyn Loser of Alamosa. From 2008 to 2018, she served on the local tree board in every capacity, from member to chair, dedicating herself fully to the volunteer role. What began as a personal passion for trees grew into deep expertise, as she guided residents in planting and caring for them.

Over the years, she recruited new board members, secured grants, updated city tree codes, and led pruning workshops. She also created a widely-used local website about tree care, featuring more than 120 articles that continue to be shared throughout the community.

Her efforts helped cultivate a tree-conscious culture and left a lasting legacy in Alamosa.

2024 Lifetime Achievement Award, Vince Urbina

The 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented posthumously to Vince Urbina in honor of his lifelong dedication to Colorado’s urban forests.

For over 50 years, Vince strengthened community forests through his work with the Colorado State Forest Service, leadership on the Grand Junction Tree Board, mentorship of countless community and urban foresters, and his efforts to engage youth in tree planting events. His passion inspired many to plant and care for trees, leaving a legacy that will continue to grow for generations. He is deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Kamie Long with Colorado State Forest Service (right) presents the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award in memory of Vince Urbina to his wife, Gail. 
Vince Urbina poses with Smokey Bear.

Watch the Lifetime Achievement Award presentation!

Previous Award Recipients

  • Micaela Truslove, 2023 Sustainable Forestry Award

    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, 2023 Distinguished Service Award

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Peter Schertz 2017

    Peter Schertz was presented the Sustainable Urban Forest Award.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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, 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award

    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.