Cities generally don’t spend much time singling out the citizenry for accolades, what with the day-to-day drill of filling potholes, fixing sewer mains and answering fire alarms.
But Denver is taking time out from the municipal grind to pat some backs.
With the Mile High City’s 150th birthday arriving Nov. 22, officials plan to recognize 150 exemplary citizens who live or work in Denver. The idea is that we, the people, nominate folks who are making a difference here.
“We wanted to come up with a way to recognize some of the great contributions people are making in the city to make it a better place,” said Steve Sander, Denver’s director of strategic marketing, who helped conceive the project. “We also wanted to make the nominations more open, go beyond some of the people you’d normally think of.”
If you’re long on ego — or are just that special — you can even vote for yourself. There’s a box you can check on the nomination form to do just that.
An acknowledgeable form is at: 0/150People.html.
Filing deadline is Oct. 1 at noon.
So who might qualify? Where do we place value?
The form says the main criteria is that it’s a living person “doing something extraordinary, something noteworthy and something that is bettering the city for generations to come.”
I’m thinking that by merely putting up with me, my lovely bride is “doing something extraordinary,” though I doubt it meets the standard in the “bettering the city for generations to come” department.
But what about the schoolteacher who turns kids’ lives around? The rabbi who organized a food bank? The star athlete who operates a youth summer camp? The cop or firefighter? The poet? The plumber?
For that matter, does the bartender who lends an ear and dispenses sound advice have a shot at joining Denver’s 150? How about the short-order cook who serves up a breakfast burrito in pork green chile that’s as dependable as sunrise?
“We’re thinking about people doing things in the scope of their daily lives for the greater good, whether it’s a skill or a cause,” Sander said. “What makes Denver a great place is the spirit and vitality of the people.”
I’d say outstanding citizenship comes in a variety of forms.
Me, I’d be happy to nominate my next-door neighbor for having three charming kids and a blessedly quiet dog. Plus, he loaned me his pipe wrench last month, which saved me from forking over at least $25 at the hardware store down the street.
Now I just need to submit his photograph and a 300-word bio (his, not mine), and we’re set.
There is no age restriction. Winners will be selected by a committee representing the public and private sectors. A reception for the winners will be held Nov. 22 at the Colorado History Museum.
So our city’s sesquicentennial is upon us, and you have a chance to single out the unsung heroes in your neighborhood. They’re all around us, really. Sander said his office has received 200 nominations; he expects 100 to 150 more.
“I think our city’s spirit is part of our pedigree,” said Sander, who moved here from back East 30 years ago. “It’s not your last name or where you went to school. It’s our can-do spirit.”
William Porter writes Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reach him at wporter@denverpost.com or 303-954-1977.
