The Award
This award recognizes a group or organization in Colorado that has made a positive impact on Colorado communities and significantly contributed to the advancement of architecture and/or enhanced the role of practitioners.
ACE Mentorship Program of Colorado – as awarded by Joey Bahnsen, AIA, 2024 AIA Colorado Board Member and South Director
Vanessa Valerio accepted the award on behalf of ACE Mentorship Program of Colorado.
This year, ACE Mentor Program of Colorado was selected as the standout nomination for their continued involvement, engagement, and inspiration of high school students hoping to enter the AEC industry. Through organizations like ACE, the architecture industry continues to have a pipeline of innovative leaders and designers entering college programs throughout the United States, but especially right here in Colorado.
It goes without saying that the Jury had a difficult time deliberating between several deserving organizations but the impact that ACE Colorado has made locally and on a national level is truly amazing. ACE Mentor Program of Colorado gave out over $50,000 in scholarships to high school seniors in 2024, hosted students from across the country at CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning for 2 weeks of summer camps and continues to engage industry professionals and AIA Colorado members to create connections with high school students, teachers, and families that will last a lifetime.
ACE Colorado has continued to be a leader in virtual teaching sessions to reach students in rural areas of the state and extend opportunities to students in other states that don’t have ACE. Often an example for excellence to other ACE affiliates, ACE Colorado continues to innovate and inspire high school students and the industry professionals that act as mentors.
ACE Mentor Program of Colorado has proven that the reach and impact of local architects, designers, engineers, and contractors can be felt across the entire country. Please give a round of applause for ACE Mentor Program of Colorado for being selected as this year’s AIA Colorado Impact Award recipient.
ACE Mentor Program of Colorado serves high school students who want to explore careers in architecture, construction, and engineering. Throughout the year, the ACE program, which meets two hours per week for 17 weeks introduces participants to building industry professions by having them plan and design mock projects on real sites and work with professionals in the design and build industries.
