The City of Fort Collins Disability Advisory Board is accepting nominations for the 2025 Community Recognition Awards. These annual awards recognize individuals, businesses and agencies in Fort Collins who work to enrich the lives of people with disabilities.

Nominations are open through Friday, August 15. This year, the board is accepting nominations for three different categories:

• Educator/Community Trainer Award: A person or organization focused on educating individuals with disabilities, who works with individuals with disabilities to provide trainings, and/or a person or organization that provides training to the community regarding how to hire, support, recognize and include individuals with disabilities.
• Organization/Team Award (for profit or nonprofit): An organization or team that creates a welcoming and inclusive environment where individuals with disabilities can flourish. An organization or team that consistently works toward creating cohesiveness while considering the needs and wants of individuals with disabilities along with all community members. An organization or team which supports and fosters ADA law and accessibility for all.
• Dorothy Lasley Memorial Award (Individual): Recognizes a person with a disability who is an active voice in the community, championing for the rights of all people with disabilities. This award is in honor of Dorothy Lasley, who worked tirelessly throughout her lifetime toward removing both architectural and attitudinal barriers for residents with disabilities.

Award recipients will be selected by Disability Advisory Board members. Criteria for nominees include (but are not limited to):

• Advocates for people with disabilities in our community or for our community.
• Advances Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Housing Act and/or ADA Law and legislation.
• Promotes the education of Fort Collins community members regarding individuals with disabilities.
• Demonstrates excellence in advancing accessibility of services or programming for individuals with disabilities.

Any person, business or agency is eligible for consideration. There is no Fort Collins residency requirement, but recognized work must have been done within Fort Collins.

Nomination forms are available online at fcgov.com/codma.