The Vail Trailblazer Award is presented to recognize an individual, couple or team that has made a lasting impact in making Vail a great community through one or more actions. Recipients will be recognized for their pioneering contributions of time and talent, courage, leadership, vision and commitment in their endeavor to enhance Vail’s social, recreational, cultural, educational and environmental values that define the community.

Nomination Criteria

• Individual, couple or team should live, work, own a business or own property in Vail with the recognized activities centered in Vail. Selection criteria will be evaluated on:
• One or more actions that have made a significant contribution to the overall betterment of the community.
• Actions should demonstrate pioneering contributions of time and talent, courage, leadership, vision and commitment to enhance Vail’s social, recreational, cultural, educational and environmental values that define the community.
• Contributions need not be limited to achievements immediately preceding the year of the award but may be cumulative over a period of years.

Trailblazer Award Recipients

The Trailblazer Award was created as a legacy project when the Town of Vail was preparing to celebrate its 50th birthday on August 23, 2016. A Town Council committee was formed to develop the idea and select the first recipient of the award. Recipients have included Dr. Thomas Steinberg (2016), Vi and Byron Brown (2017), Sheika and Pepi Gramshammer (2018), Glenn Porzak (2019), Joseph Staufer (2020), Sally & Bill Hanlon (2021), Terry Minger (2022), Marka Moser (2023), Dr. Jack Eck (2024) and joint recipients Steve Lindstrom and George Ruther (2025).

Steve Lindstrom and Geroge Ruther

2025 Trailblazer Award Announcement

Proclamation No. 2, Series of 2025

Dr. Jack Eck

2024 Trailblazer Award Announcement

Proclamation No. 2, Series of 2024

Marka Moser