In small towns and rural areas, everyday people — teachers, mentors, scout and 4-H leaders, volunteers, and neighbors — quietly make a difference in the lives of others and strengthen the fabric of the community.

Through their generous commitment and dedication, these people set shining examples for the next generation, and preserve the spirit and character that make these places, like Routt County, truly special.

To honor these service-focused citizens, every year the Leckenby and Larson Awards Committee of the Tread of Pioneers Museum presents two awards that honor persons who have enriched the quality of life in Routt County.

These citizens have served our public institutions, preserved our local history, inspired youth, and/or contributed significantly to the county’s heritage. Since 1980, the Leckenby Pioneer Award is presented to a living person in Routt County; since 1982, the Stanley L. Larson Award is given posthumously.

The committee requests your help in assuring that people from all parts of the county are considered and nominated for these awards.

For both awards, the committee considers the individual’s involvement in community activities such as volunteerism, supporting organizations, serving on various boards, committees, and advisory groups, and working with youth and others to make the community a better place to live for all. 

The nominees for the Leckenby Pioneer Award should:

1. Have lived a total of 30 years in the county. The nominee does not have to be living here now.
2. Be involved with the community, responsive to community needs (past and present) and serve as a representative of the history of the community.
3. Demonstrate personal integrity.
4. Be inspirational to youth.

Past recipients of the Leckenby Award:

Ferry Carpenter, Walt Webber, Lewis Phillips, Ayliffe and Henry Zehner, Dorothy Wither, John “Doc” Utterback, Margaret Rossi, Val Fitzpatrick, Bobby Robinson Sr., Evelyn and Quentin Semotan, Gordy Wren, Eldon Brummett, Effie Baily, Eleanor Bliss, Vernon Summer, Marvin Elkins, Pat Holderness, Lowell Whiteman, Dee Richards, Don Lufkin, Pete Wither, Elaine Gay, Bill Bowes, Natalie Stanko, Linda Long, Frances Wither, Sam Haslem, Dr. Bill Baldwin, Mary Jean Perry, Bud and Jane Romberg, Donna Hellyer, Judy Green, Peter “Mike” Yurich, Bill McKelvie, Bill Gay, Jim Stanko, Jerry Green, Marion Gibson, Noreen Moore, Paul and Ellen Bonnifield, Jack Sprengle, Arianthé Stettner, Rita Herold, Verna Whaley, and Winnie DelliQuadri.

The qualifications for the Stanley L. Larson Award are:

1. The nominee must have lived in Routt County and must now be deceased.
2. The nominee must have made a major contribution to Routt County.

The past recipients of the Larson Award:

Claude Luekens, James H. Crawford, Charles H. Leckenby, Dr. F.E. Willett, James Norvell, Charles Neiman, Minnie Hertzog, Carl Howelsen, Everett Bristol, Lulita Crawford Pritchett, Emma Willcockson, Bob Gay, Winnie Carrol, Charlotte Perry, Portia Mansfield, Joseph “Shorty” Hamidy, Thomas I. Lindley, William S. “Bill” Green, Gates Gooding, Dr. John V. Solandt, George Cook, Delano Scott, Sumner Hockett, Geraldine Elkins, Clarence Light, Delmar Vance Coyner, Robert “Bob” Moss, Chuck Fulton, John Fetcher, Bill Meek, Don Brookshire, Benita Bristol, Jan Vail, Jan Leslie, Lewis Kemry, Jim Golden, Lucile Bogue, Leon Wilkins, Al Wegeman, Marcellus Merrill, Carl Ramunno, and Irlan Neas.

All nominations should be emailed to cbannister@treadofpioneers.org. Please include your contact information and submit nominations by Sept. 15.