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.

With the ability to gather on hold, ALCC took the opportunity to convene a task force of industry professionals to review the awards and make improvements. The application process opened in summer 2021 with changes made to both the categories and application process on the recommendation of the task force. Some categories were retired (Use of Color), new categories were added (Plant Design), and other categories were expanded or modified.

After such a long delay, the reception became more than just The ELITE Awards reception. There was, as usual, the recognition of the Volunteer Service Awards. But the evening was a celebration of the industry and of being able to gather in person once again—one year and eight months after the last awards reception. Attendees came not just from the Front Range but from as far as Crested Butte. It was no doubt a welcome celebration after so much time apart.

ALCC hopes to continue refining the awards process and may make the awards a fall tradition going forward. “We hope that the evening will become not just an awards ceremony but an annual celebration of the Colorado landscape industry,” said John McMahon, CEO of ALCC. “It’s a terrific opportunity to network, share stories of the recent season, and be reminded of what makes our industry great: the people.”