What a year it was in 2020, the year for which Troy Sibelius is being honored with the John Garvey Person of the Year Award for his invaluable contributions to ALCC and its members. This award recognizes someone who goes the extra mile to serve others. Sibelius provided consistent guidance regarding insurance implications as we entered the pandemic.

The Stanley Brown Associate Member Distinguished Service Award is presented to an individual associate member who has helped make the industry more professional, is known for outstanding service and the contribution of ideas, programs and/or educational endeavors, and has been a loyal supporter of ALCC and Colorado’s landscape industry. Kim Douglas of AEC Consultant Group received this year’s award.

The Outlook Award for Emerging Leaders honors “up and comers” in the landscape industry and ALCC, who are not yet 40 years old and have made a significant contribution to the industry, their company and/or ALCC in a volunteer or leadership capacity. This year’s recipient, Jessi Burg, is passionate about sustainability and enthusiastic about educating clients.

In this issue:

• The ELITE Awards reception returns to celebrate the Colorado landscape industry in person once again
• Read about and see videos of The ELITE Award recipients
• Colorado companies recognized nationally for their safety records

Awards coverage will continue December 8 in Colorado Green Now with Volunteer Service Awards recipients.

ALCC’s ELITE Awards reception was held on November 10 at Stonebrook Manor in Thornton. Due to pandemic-related restrictions on large gatherings, organizers delayed the event, which traditionally took place in the first quarter of the year.

On November 10, Colorado’s landscape industry association, Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC), announced the recipients of its 2021 ELITE Awards. The ELITE Awards is the only program of its kind in Colorado and recognizes landscape companies and professionals who demonstrate unparalleled professionalism, excellence, management practices, sustainability and innovation.

The 2021 ELITE Awards featured some changes from previous years. While the Use of Color category was discontinued, it was replaced by a new category, Plant Design. The categories of Innovation and Most Valuable Player (MVP) were not ranked as gold, silver, or bronze. A task force of reviewers noted that all innovation and all valuable team members should be celebrated and that such contributions could not be ranked against each other.

In October, NALP recognized companies that demonstrate a commitment to a safe workplace and benefit by having reduced injuries and workplace hazards with its Safety Recognition Awards. As always, several Colorado companies received this recognition for the previous year. Categories include “No Vehicle Accidents,” “No Injuries or Illnesses,” and “No Days Away from Work” as well as the “Overall Safety Achievement Award.” 

Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) with the goal of curbing the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace. The standard applies to employers with 100 or more employees, and compliance is required by January 4, 2022.

One year ago, words like supply chain and logistics were rarely used by the average consumer or member of the public. But beginning when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and consumers were unable to get toilet paper or safety supplies, those terms became part of everyday conversation even if the average person did not fully understand how the global supply chain works. How did we get here?