Ricky Lightfoot receives History Colorado President's Award. (Left to right): History Colorado President and CEO Edward Nichols, Crow Canyon Board Chair Ron Larimore, board member Sue Anshutz-Rodgers, Vice President of Programs Mark Varien, board member Deedee Decker, Ricky Lightfoot, Vice President of Advancement Dan Mooney, Vice President of Development and Planning Melinda Burdette, board member Joanie Montezemolo, and History Colorado Board Chair Bart Berger.

Retired Crow Canyon President and CEO Ricky Lightfoot was awarded the inaugural History Colorado President's Award on February 3. The award was presented to Ricky at the History Colorado, the Colorado Historical Society's, 2010 Preservation Awards Ceremony in Denver.

The prestigious award was given in recognition of Ricky's decades-long dedication to building and expanding Crow Canyon into the educational resource it is today, as well as his service to the greater archaeological and educational communities in Colorado. Archaeologists, preservationists, community activists, award recipients, and state legislators gathered for the awards ceremony. History Colorado's president and CEO, Edward C. Nichols, presented the award.

"The award was a great honor and was especially nice since it was the first President's Award given by History Colorado and since it emphasized archaeology and public education," Ricky said. "While the award went to me, it was a great testament to the team at Crow Canyon and the institution."

The 2010 Preservation Awards Ceremony also included the presentation of the Stephen H. Hart Awards, which recognized four outstanding projects and individuals that have impacted archaeology and historic preservation in Colorado. The eighth annual Governor's Award for Historic Preservation and the first Hart Archaeology Award were presented as well.

"For the President’s Award, we were looking for a person, project, or program that enriched or educated others about our state's history and heritage and demonstrated a commitment to archaeology and historic preservation," said Shannon Haltiwanger, public affairs officer and community events coordinator with History Colorado.