| January 20, 2026
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR COLORADO HOLIDAY COMMISSION
A charitable foundation that was founded in 1931 to address inequities for Black Americans, an Eaglecrest High School senior who plans to attend college in Japan and the Denver Police Department’s first female African American division chief were among those honored when the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission presented its 2026 Humanitarian Awards.
They were introduced at both the Colorado Symphony’s annual Public Benefit Concert held Jan. 13 in Boettcher Concert Hall, and at a VIP reception that immediately preceded the concert.
Commission chair Vern Howard and vice chair Charleszine “Terry” Nelson presided over the reception; Emmy Award-winning journalist Tamara Banks emceed the honoree recognition interspersed throughout the hour-long concert.