Four outstanding nonprofit organizations throughout Colorado were honored on October 2 as part of El Pomar Foundation's Awards for Excellence presentation ceremony in Black Hawk, including VOC. VOC received the Award for Excellence for the Metro Region in 2016. The award includes a $25,000 grant.

"VOC is delighted to be selected as a 2016 El Pomar Awards for Excellence winner," said VOC's executive director, Ann Baker Easley. "This award reflects VOC's long-standing commitment to creating opportunities, tools, and strategies for people of all ages and walks of life to care for Colorado's outdoors."

El Pomar Foundation, based in Colorado Springs, is one of the largest and oldest private foundations in the Rocky Mountain West. El Pomar contributes approximately $20 million annually through grants and programs to support Colorado nonprofit organizations involved in health, human services, education, arts and humanities, and civic and community initiatives.