Judy Ann Files Draws Praise For Downtown Excellence

Montrose, CO — Former longtime Montrose City Councilor and Mayor Judy Ann Files received recognition recently for her years of work in building and promoting downtown Montrose with a 2020 Downtown Colorado, Inc. (DCI) Governor's Award for Downtown Excellence.
 
The award recognizes individuals who have shown exemplary commitment to their local downtown and community. Nominees encourage ongoing collaboration and teamwork benefiting the community.
 
Files, a life-long Montrose resident, and pillar of the local area has championed many efforts through the years to create a more vibrant community, especially throughout the city's downtown corridor, promoting new businesses and rehabilitating open spaces for public use.
 
Files said she was both "humbled and surprised" to be nominated for the award.
 
Files’ nomination was submitted by former Director of Business Innovation Chelsea Rosty and reviewed by a statewide panel of downtown professionals. The nomination described Files’ contributions to vitality in the Montrose downtown including leading the effort to display the Hartman family clock, which is now located in Centennial Plaza. In addition to serving on the city’s Development and Revitalization Team (DART) board, Files also served on the Parks Advisory Committee, Colorado Flights Alliance Board, and Montrose Economic Development Corporation board, among others.
 
"Downtown Montrose has been and will continue to be an important part of what makes Montrose unique," Files said. "It has been my pleasure to be involved with its evolution."
 
Files service on the City Council concluded in April following two consecutive terms that included two one-year terms as mayor.
 
During File’s first term as mayor in 2013, the City of Montrose earned the All-America City award from the National Civic League. The award is a national community program that recognizes the work of communities in using inclusive civic engagement to address critical issues and creating stronger connections among residents, businesses, and nonprofit and government leaders. Montrose was recognized for celebrating diversity in the community.
 
“It is wonderful that the many contributions of Judy Ann Files are recognized with this award,” said Montrose Assistant City Manager Ann Morgenthaler. “Judy Ann’s passion for Montrose and penchant for making things happen inspires others to be champions for Montrose, too.”
 
Since 2003, the DCI Governor's Awards for Downtown Excellence have recognized outstanding projects and people in Colorado that demonstrate creativity in the face of challenges, unlikely and enduring partnerships, and dedication to their communities to further downtown initiatives. In 2020, the awards serve as a celebration of accomplishments for communities and people in all of Colorado.
 
Files was recognized in company with Steve Art, the economic development manager for the City of Wheat Ridge, Marian Hollingsworth, economic development coordinator for Lake City DIRT, and Rick Kron, an attorney with Spencer Fane.
 
"My experience being a (Montrose) City Councilor and Mayor has been tremendously rewarding," Files said. "I hope to continue in the future to be involved with helping Montrose be the best it can be."
 
Established in 1982 as the Colorado Community Revitalization Association, Downtown Colorado, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit membership organization that aims to build better communities by providing assistance to downtowns, commercial districts, and town centers in Colorado. Organization members represent downtown organizations, local governments, development and improvement districts, consultants, individuals, and others involved in downtown and community development.
 
More information about Downtown Colorado, Inc. can be found at www.downtowncoloradoinc.org.
 
For more city news visit: CityOfMontrose.org.

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