By Shannon Lukens for Steamboat Radio/Blizzard Broadcasting.

 

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has recognized 21 employees. From our area, five were honored.

 

District Wildlife Manager Evan Jones, from the Craig area, is the Wildlife Officer of the Year. CPW says he has led the investigation on some of the state’s most complex poaching and outfitting cases.

 

Julie Arington is currently the Park Manager for Steamboat Lake and Pearl Lake State Parks, since 2006. She was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 25 years of service and leadership within Colorado’s state park system. Before working in North Routt, she was with Castlewood Canyon and Senior Ranger at Cherry Creek State Park.

 

District Wildlife Manager Seth Schwolert received the Lifesaving Medal for his response to a critically ill hunter near Black Mountain in Moffat County.

UPDATE: Elijah Columbia received a Lifesaving Award. He is from Area 10 in the Yampa District of Routt County.

 

UPDATE: Jared Lamb of Area 6 in Moffat County is the Field Training Officer of the Year.

 

The full press release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife is below, recognizing the 21 state employees with various honors and recognitions.

 

Colorado Parks & Wildlife Press Release; Feb. 4, 2026

CPW recognizes 21 employees for leadership, bravery and dedication to protecting Colorado’s natural resources and citizens

DENVER — Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), in collaboration with the Colorado State Parks Employee Protective Association (CSPEPA) and the Colorado Wildlife Employees Protective Association (CWEPA), recently honored 21 employees for their outstanding service and commitment to protecting the state’s citizens and natural resources.

These annual awards recognize CPW wildlife officers, park rangers and staff who demonstrate a sustained commitment to preserving and enhancing Colorado’s outdoors and a willingness to put their lives on the line to protect outdoor recreationists. Recipients are acknowledged for their expertise in biology, science, law enforcement, leadership, and wildlife or park management, as well as their strong public service ethic, bravery and the respect of their peers.

“Our employees demonstrate exceptional dedication to protecting Colorado’s natural resources and the people who enjoy them,” said CPW Acting Director Laura Clellan. “These awards recognize the professionalism, leadership and courage required to serve the public, whether through lifesaving actions, complex investigations or long-term conservation work.”

 

John D. Hart Wildlife Officer of the Year
Named after legendary wildlife officer John D. Hart, who retired as CPW’s assistant director in 1959, this year’s award was presented to District Wildlife Manager Evan Jones, who works in the Craig area. Officer Jones was recognized for his elite investigative skill, deep legal expertise and unwavering dedication to protecting Colorado’s wildlife resources. He has led some of the state’s most complex poaching and outfitting cases while serving as a primary investigative resource for wildlife officers across the region. His leadership, mentorship and passion for the profession exemplify the highest standards of wildlife law enforcement.

Outstanding Ranger of the Year
Established in 1986 and selected by fellow state park rangers, this award went to Park Ranger Erin Steinman. Ranger Steinman distinguished herself through exceptional leadership, advanced instructorship and lifesaving field performance at Lake Pueblo State Park. She managed critical boating operations, trained wildlife officers statewide and responded to high-risk emergencies with skill and decisiveness. Her professionalism, humility and commitment to public safety make her a standout ranger within CPW.

Colorado State Parks Employee Protective Association Awards
The CSPEPA is a nonprofit organization established in 2003 to support CPW employees. CSPEPA offers its members retirement benefits and legal protection, serves as a liaison with management staff, and provides representation in matters concerning association membership. Additionally, CSPEPA recognizes outstanding employee and volunteer achievements through various awards. 2025 awardees include:

Columbine Emerging Leader Award: Lathrop State Park Ranger Heather Prather was recognized for exceptional leadership and initiative in expanding and strengthening park programs early in her career.

Exceptional Service Award: Lathrop Senior Park Ranger Jennifer Ives was recognized for exceptional service through her consistent support of partner agencies and response to high-risk emergencies.

 

Lifetime Achievement Award: Cherry Creek State Park Manager Julie Arington was honored for more than 25 years of distinguished service and leadership within Colorado’s state park system.

 

Valor Award: Eleven Mile State Park Manager Dan Sprys and Title 33 Park Ranger Evan George were honored for extraordinary courage during a water rescue in extreme conditions.

 

Lifesaving Awards: Eight employees were recognized for their heroic actions in rescuing individuals from life-threatening situations across Colorado’s parks and waterways.

• • Area 2 District Wildlife Manager Chris Mettenbrink was honored for preventing a suicide attempt during a dangerous roadside incident.
  • Area 2 District Wildlife Managers Clayton Brossart, Nick Cundall, Erin Priest and Cassy Penn were recognized for rescuing paddleboarders during severe storm conditions.
  • Cherry Creek State Park Ranger Clayton Boeke and Title 33 Park Ranger Allison Reed were honored for lifesaving medical care following a serious boating accident.
  • Jackson Lake State Park Ranger Michele Olive was recognized for rescuing a paddleboarder after an extended search in dangerous storm conditions.

“The CSPEPA board is proud to recognize CPW officers who consistently go above and beyond in service to the public and their colleagues,” said CSPEPA Board President and Cherry Creek State Park Manager Michelle Seubert. “Their commitment and professionalism reflect the highest standards of public service.”

Colorado Wildlife Employees Protective Association Awards
The CWEPA is one of the oldest employee associations in the state and is dedicated to supporting CPW employees. CWEPA offers its members death and retirement benefits and legal protection and serves as a liaison with CPW staff. Additionally, the association provides scholarships to members’ children pursuing natural resource-related fields and recognizes wildlife officers who perform acts above and beyond their duties. 2024 awardees include:

Lifesaving Medal:

District Wildlife Manager Seth Schwolert for his rapid response and lifesaving actions during a medical emergency.

 

District Wildlife Manager Elijah Columbia for his actions preventing loss of life during a traffic emergency.

District Wildlife Managers Sean Dodd and Philip Sorenson for their response to an overturned truck that could not be seen from the road in below zero temperatures.

 

Medal of Merit: The Medal of Merit was presented to District Wildlife Manager Sean Dodd for his decisive, compassionate response to a suicidal subject while on patrol in Douglas County. Officer Dodd’s actions ensured the subject’s safety and access to critical medical care.

 

Horizon (Emerging Leader) Award: The Horizon Award was presented to District Wildlife Manager Lucas Clancy of Area 15 for his outstanding early-career performance, innovation and commitment to wildlife education, enforcement and community engagement.

 

Cliff Coghill Career Achievement Award: The Cliff Coghill Career Achievement Award was presented to Assistant Area Wildlife Manager Casey Westbrook for more than 25 years of exceptional leadership, conservation impact and service to Colorado’s wildlife. Officer Westbrook was recognized for his professionalism, mentorship and enduring commitment to wildlife management and wildlife officer safety.

 

Administrative/Support Staff Person of the Year: The Support Staff Member of the Year Award was presented to Administrative Assistant Robin Smith of the Southeast Region for her reliability, leadership and exceptional knowledge of biology and the multitude of ever-changing topics within CPW.

 

“These awards highlight the exceptional service and dedication our members bring to wildlife conservation and public safety across Colorado,” said CWEPA Board President and Area 15 District Wildlife Manager Brandon Dye. “It is an honor to work alongside professionals whose actions have a lasting impact on both people and natural resources.”

More details about the awards and actions of CPW’s brave and dedicated award recipients below.

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John D. Hart Wildlife Officer of the Year Award – Area 6 District Wildlife Manager Evan Jones
The John D. Hart Wildlife Officer of the Year Award was named after a legendary wildlife officer who retired as the agency’s assistant director in 1959. This year, District Wildlife Manager Evan Jones has distinguished himself as one of Colorado’s most skilled and respected wildlife investigators, serving the Craig South District since 2012. Known as Area 6’s lead investigator, Officer Jones reviews major cases, warrants and operations while serving as a primary authority on Title 33, search-and-seizure law, and outfitter regulations. His casework includes high-profile felony investigations involving trophy poaching, illegal outfitting, multi-state residency fraud and tax evasion, earning national recognition including the Pope and Young Officer of the Year Award. Officer Jones is also a dedicated mentor, having trained 25 wildlife officers who all remain in the profession, and has earned multiple Field Training Officer of the Year honors. Beyond enforcement, he has preserved agency history by creating a game warden family tree, developing CPW’s 125th anniversary poster and maintaining the world’s largest collection of agency badges and patches. His selfless service, investigative excellence and commitment to both tradition and mentorship embody the spirit of the John D. Hart Wildlife Officer of the Year Award.

Outstanding Ranger of the Year Award – Lake Pueblo State Park Ranger Erin Steinman
The recipient of the Outstanding Ranger of the Year Award, originating in 1986, is selected by fellow state park rangers. This year’s recipient was Ranger Erin Steinman, who excelled in 2025 by combining elite field performance with extensive leadership and instructional responsibilities at Lake Pueblo State Park. She became a standardized field sobriety test instructor, boating-under-the-influence instructor, archery instructor, CPR instructor and peer support graduate, while also managing the park’s boating program and mentoring trainees. Despite these additional duties, Ranger Steinman maintained an exceptional patrol workload, responding to arrests, medical calls, water rescues and multiple fatal investigations. She played a critical role in rescuing a child and an amputee stranded miles across the lake during a windstorm and conducted numerous lifesaving rescues during severe boating conditions. When a patrol boat failed during peak season, she coordinated the use of a wildlife vessel to keep enforcement operations intact and prevent escalating emergencies. Respected for her reliability, humility and problem-solving mindset, Ranger Steinman consistently strengthens wildlife officer readiness, public safety and CPW’s mission statewide.

Colorado State Parks Employee Protective Association (CSPEPA) Awards

CSPEPA Columbine Emerging Leader
This award is presented to someone who is a promising early-career employee who performs at a level beyond their years of experience, and whose drive and dedication reassures their senior colleagues that the agency will be in good hands going into the future, whatever challenges may arise. An employee must have been full time for three years or less to receive this award.

• Lathrop State Park Ranger Heather Prather – In just two years, Ranger Prather has taken on responsibilities well beyond those typically expected of a new ranger, such as supervising interpretive, volunteer and aquatic nuisance species programs with notable success. She expanded educational programming by increasing fishing clinics and reintroducing archery clinics that had not been offered in more than five years, while also leading her own outreach activities. Ranger Prather improved accessibility by securing adaptive recreation equipment, elevated the park’s Leave No Trace program to gold standard status, and strengthened public engagement through targeted social media outreach and regional partnerships. Her proactive approach, attention to detail and collaborative leadership distinguish her as a rising leader within the agency.

CSPEPA Exceptional Service Award
This award is presented to any CPW employee who through a single or continuing act exhibits outstanding dedication or a significant contribution to CSPEPA, the public, natural resources or CPW.

• Lathrop Senior Park Ranger Jennifer Ives – Ranger Ives routinely assists understaffed law enforcement agencies throughout Huerfano County, responding to medical emergencies, traffic accidents and high-risk incidents beyond her primary patrol responsibilities. She has played a key role in de-escalating volatile situations, including hospital and roadside incidents that posed immediate risks to public safety. In addition to her patrol duties, Ranger Ives serves on the Marine Evidence Recovery Team, responding to emotionally demanding recovery missions and returning to duty without hesitation. Her commitment and professionalism have repeatedly enhanced safety for the public and fellow responders.

CSPEPA Lifetime Achievement Award 
This award is presented to someone who is a subject matter expert in the area of professional job knowledge, sets standards of performance for following generations, acts as a cornerstone of the local community, mentors others within CPW to serve the mission above expectation, and has a minimum of 15 years of experience.

• Cherry Creek State Park Manager Julie Arington – Since beginning her career in 1999, Ranger Arington has served as a park ranger, senior ranger, park manager, instructor and mentor across multiple state parks, including Cherry Creek, Castlewood Canyon, Steamboat Lake and Pearl Lake. She has played a critical role in agency training as a longtime firearms instructor, armorer and contributor to reality-based training and in-service instruction. Ranger Arington has also shaped future generations of park professionals through her work as a field training officer and mentor at Officer Survival School. Her leadership extended beyond operations to conservation, volunteer engagement and community partnerships, leaving a lasting impact on both the agency and the parks she served.

CSPEPA Valor Award
This award is presented to CPW employees or volunteers who acted in a courageous or selfless manner in a situation which presented inherent danger or risk to themselves in an effort to protect or save another.

• Eleven Mile State Park Manager Dan Sprys and Title 33 Park Ranger Evan George – On Aug. 1, 2025, Ranger Sprys and Ranger George responded to reports of multiple people blown into a lake during a windstorm with sustained winds of approximately 45 miles per hour and 4- to 5-foot waves. Despite the conditions, the wildlife officers launched a patrol vessel and located a man struggling in the water. Using a rescue throw rope, they pulled him aboard and transported him safely to shore for medical evaluation. Their actions saved a life under exceptionally dangerous circumstances.

CSPEPA Lifesaving Award
This award is presented to CPW employees or volunteers who acted in a manner that saved the life of another.

• Area 2 District Wildlife Manager Chris Mettenbrink – On Sept. 12, 2025, Officer Mettenbrink intervened when a young man experiencing a severe mental health crisis attempted to run into traffic and crash a vehicle along U.S. Highway 36. Through calm communication, physical intervention and coordination with emergency responders, Officer Mettenbrink helped restrain the individual and ensured he received medical evaluation. His actions directly prevented a likely fatal outcome and demonstrated sound judgment, compassion and professionalism under pressure.
• Area 2 District Wildlife Manager’s Clayton Brossart, Nick Cundall, Erin Priest and Cassy Penn – On July 5, 2025, Officers Clayton Brossart, Nick Cundall, Erin Priest and Cassy Penn responded to Boedecker State Wildlife Area as high winds and large waves knocked two paddleboarders into the water. The individuals were not wearing personal flotation devices and were struggling far from shore. Working quickly and cohesively, the wildlife officers launched a patrol boat, navigated hazardous conditions and safely rescued both paddleboarders.
• Cherry Creek Park Ranger Clayton Boeke and Title 33 Park Ranger Allison Reed – On June 27, 2025, Ranger Boeke and Ranger Reed responded to a boating accident at Cherry Creek State Park involving a juvenile who suffered deep propeller lacerations to both legs. Ranger Boeke applied a tourniquet to control severe bleeding, and Ranger Reed applied a second tourniquet moments later. Both held pressure on the wounds until advanced medical personnel arrived. Hospital staff later confirmed the tourniquet applications likely saved the juvenile’s life.
• Jackson Lake State Park Ranger Michele Olive – During severe thunderstorms at Jackson Lake on May 18, 2025, Ranger Olive launched and continued a search for a reported distressed paddleboarder despite high winds and hazardous waves. After more than 30 minutes of searching, she located a semiconscious woman who had been in the water for over an hour with a failing flotation device. Ranger Olive treated the victim for hypothermia and shock and transported her to awaiting medical care. Her persistence and decision-making directly saved the woman’s life.

Colorado Wildlife Employees Protective Association (CWEPA) Awards

CWEPA Lifesaving Medal – District Wildlife Manager Seth Schwolert
The Lifesaving Medal recognizes extraordinary actions taken to save human life. Officer Seth Schwolert received this award for his response to a critically ill hunter near Black Mountain in northwest Colorado. Officer Schwolert rapidly located the hunter in remote terrain, provided emergency assistance and coordinated a complex helicopter evacuation under difficult conditions. His swift decision-making and coordination ensured the hunter received lifesaving medical care before local rescue resources could respond.

CWEPA Lifesaving Medal – District Wildlife Manager Elijah Columbia
The Lifesaving Medal recognizes extraordinary actions taken to save human life. Officer Columbia received this award for his lifesaving actions when coming across a serious vehicle accident involving a truck and a semi-trailer. Officer Columbia climbed under the trailer to assist the truck driver, applying a tourniquet. His calm selflessness likely saved the drivers life due to the remote nature of the accident.

CWEPA Lifesaving Medal – District Wildlife Manager Sean Dodd and District Wildlife Manager Philip Sorenson
The Lifesaving Medal recognizes extraordinary actions taken to save human life. Officers Dodd and Sorenson received this award for their lifesaving actions when they came across tire tracks in the snow that indicated a vehicle had slid off a blind corner. No vehicle was visible from the road but they went to investigate. They found a couple that had been trapped in an overturned vehicle for over 16 hours, overnight, in below zero temperatures. The couple was hypothermic and the officers provided assistance until medical support arrived. This vehicle could have gone unnoticed for days without the actions of these brave officers.

CWEPA Medal of Merit – District Wildlife Manager Sean Dodd
The Medal of Merit recognizes exceptional courage, judgment and compassion in the line of duty. Officer Sean Dodd received this award for his response to a report of a suicidal individual while patrolling Pike National Forest. Officer Dodd quickly located the vehicle, safely secured a concealed firearm and calmly engaged the individual during a critical mental health crisis. Rather than clearing the scene once custody was established, Officer Dodd accompanied the subject to the hospital to ensure she received appropriate care. His actions demonstrated professionalism, empathy and a commitment to preserving life under high-risk conditions.

CWEPA Horizon Award – District Wildlife Manager Lucas Clancy
The Horizon Award recognizes outstanding performance and potential among early-career wildlife officers. Officer Lucas Clancy of Area 15 was honored for his rapid professional growth, leadership and commitment to education and outreach. Since joining CPW, Officer Clancy has taken on complex enforcement and wildlife management challenges, contributed to regional recreation and habitat initiatives, and expanded youth and hunter education programs. He also serves as an instructor in defensive tactics and driving and has integrated new tools, including drone technology, into enforcement and wildlife management efforts. His initiative and dedication exemplify the intent of the Horizon Award.

CWEPA Cliff Coghill Career Achievement Award – Assistant Area Wildlife Manager Casey Westbrook
The Cliff Coghill Career Achievement Award recognizes a career of extraordinary service to wildlife conservation and the wildlife officer profession. This year’s recipient, Officer Casey Westbrook, was honored for more than 25 years of leadership, mentorship and conservation impact. Since beginning his career in 2001, Officer Westbrook has served in multiple districts, building strong landowner relationships, advancing large-scale habitat conservation projects and guiding wildlife officers across the state. A former president of CWEPA, he played a key leadership role in wildlife officer legal defense initiatives and in advocating for science-based wildlife management. Officer Westbrook has also been instrumental in advancing wildlife officer safety through innovations in defensive tactics, firearms selection and de-escalation tools. His career reflects a deep understanding of wildlife management, law enforcement and leadership, making him a fitting recipient of the Cliff Coghill Career Achievement Award.

CWEPA Administrative/Support Staff Person of the Year – Administrative Assistant Robin Smith
The Support Staff Member of the Year Award recognizes exceptional service and leadership among CPW administrative professionals. This year’s recipient, Robin Smith of the Southeast Region, was honored for her extensive institutional knowledge, work ethic and willingness to support both field and office operations. Since joining CPW in 2012, Smith has become a primary resource for staff across disciplines, assisting with licensing, registrations, financial transactions and technical systems. She has trained numerous employees and recently assumed additional responsibilities as acting program assistant for the Habitat Conservation team, successfully balancing dual workloads while maintaining operational continuity. Her consistency, attention to detail and steady leadership are critical to the region’s success.

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