Brittany Pettersen

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jaylynn Robinson for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Jaylynn has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Jaylynn, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Jaylynn's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Drake Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Jaylynn Robinson on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Josiah Rodriguez Vega for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Josiah has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Josiah, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Josiah's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Drake Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Josiah Rodriguez Vega on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jaci Hemerda for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Jaci has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Jaci, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Jaci's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Drake Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Jaci Hemerda on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize William Henderson for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. William has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like William, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to William's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Drake Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate William Henderson on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Collins Kvamme for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Collins has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Collins, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Collins's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Drake Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Collins Kvamme on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jr. Garling for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Jr. has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Jr., develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Jr.'s hard work, determination, and perseverance at Drake Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Jr. Garling on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Maxamus DeGrande for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Maxamus has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Maxamus, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Maxamus's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Drake Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Maxamus DeGrande on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ashley Beck for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Ashley has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Ashley, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Ashley's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Drake Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Ashley Beck on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jorge Mario Art Decker for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Jorge Mario has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Jorge Mario, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Jorge Mario's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Drake Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Jorge Mario Art Decker on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ira Arora for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Ira has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Ira, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Ira's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Drake Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Ira Arora on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Zahra Aman for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Zahra has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Zahra, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Zahra's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Drake Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Zahra Aman on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Toby Adams for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Toby has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Toby, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Toby's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Drake Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Toby Adams on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Caleb Abdelnour for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Caleb has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Caleb, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Caleb's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Drake Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Caleb Abdelnour on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kaydence Schissler for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Kaydence has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Kaydence, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Kaydence's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada West High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Kaydence Schissler on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Parker Swanwick for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Parker has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Parker, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Parker's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada West High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Parker Swanwick on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Daniel Rosales for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Daniel has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Daniel, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Daniel's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada West High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Daniel Rosales on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Aldin Mednolucanin for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Aldin has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Aldin, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Aldin's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada West High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Aldin Mednolucanin on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Chris Lynn for his years of service at Seniors Resource Center and to congratulate him on his retirement. Chris Lynn has dedicated his career to treating older adults with dignity, respect, and the support they deserve, making a lasting difference across Colorado. As President and CEO of Seniors Resource Center, he has been a compassionate and thoughtful leader, guiding one of the Jefferson County community's most impactful senior services organizations. Since 1978, the organization has built a legacy of being a comprehensive, community-based provider delivering in-home care, adult day programming, care management, and other essential services to thousands of seniors and their families. Chris's leadership reflects a deeply personal investment in ensuring older adults are supported with independence, stability, and access to the resources they need to thrive. Chris has been a strong voice in Colorado on issues such as unstable funding, service accessibility, and the growing demand for aging services, consistently emphasizing the real human impact behind policy decisions. He serves our community in many capacities, including on regional advisory bodies like the Jefferson County Commission on Aging and the Denver Regional Council on Governments. He also supports mission-driven organizations such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Colorado Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Courageous Faces Foundation. Through advocacy and action, Chris has never lost sight of the challenges faced by seniors, especially those on fixed incomes, while helping expand essential services such as food distribution and coordinated care. On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Mr. Chris Lynn and thank him for his service to our community.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Stout Street Foundation on their 50th anniversary. Fifty years ago, the Stout Street Foundation opened its doors as a safe, supportive home for Coloradans battling addiction. For the past five decades, it has provided hope, stability, and a real pathway to lasting recovery. What started as a small recovery house in Denver has grown into one of Colorado's most trusted long-term residential treatment communities, offering recovery services, workforce development, counseling, and peer support to individuals working to rebuild their lives. Today, the Foundation serves more than 400 individuals each year through its therapeutic community model, which emphasizes accountability, life skills development, and lasting personal growth. Over the last 50 years, its work has helped over 10,000 Coloradans achieve lasting sobriety, reconnect with their families, and return to their communities with renewed purpose and genuine opportunity. On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate the Stout Street Foundation on its 50th anniversary and wish the organization continued success in its important work for many years to come.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Colorado Passport Agency on its 20th anniversary. Since opening on September 29, 2005, the Colorado Passport Agency has been assisting constituents in Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming with their urgent travel needs. The Colorado Passport Agency serves as a vital lifeline for travelers facing urgent situations. Since 2023, the Colorado Passport Agency has processed nearly 1.3 million passport applications on-site through 2025. During the unexpected surge of passport applications in 2023, our office relied heavily on the Colorado Passport Agency, and they worked tirelessly to assist our constituents and my team. Through my office alone, the agency has assisted hundreds of constituents--helping them attend weddings abroad, reunite with loved ones, and navigate unexpected travel emergencies with confidence and peace of mind. On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate the Colorado Passport Office on its 20th anniversary and thank them for their contribution to our community.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Royal Family Kids from Arvada, Colorado for winning the 2026 Golden Rotary Ethics in Business Award for a not-for-profit organization. Royal Family Kids Arvada is a subchapter of For The Children, a national nonprofit that has served at-risk foster youth since 1985. In their unrelenting support for children who have experienced relational trauma in the foster care system or abuse, Royal Family Kids Arvada is driven by the mission to ensure every ``kid from hard places'' is treated well. Their commitment to responsible stewardship, financial transparency, trauma-informed care, and long-term mentorship serves both their donors and the healthy development of each child they serve. Supporting at-risk youth in our community is such critical work. As someone who faced many challenges growing up, I know my life is on a much different path because of the adults and teachers in Jefferson County who cared about me and invested in me as a teen. On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to thank Royal Family Kids Arvada for all they do to support at-risk youth in Jefferson County.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nashely Leon Matos for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Nashely has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Nashely, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Nashely's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada West High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Nashely Leon Matos on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cannonball Creek Brewing Company of Golden, Colorado, for receiving both gold and silver medals at the Beer World Cup, designating their Project Alpha 81 and Mindbender brews as world-class. The World Beer Cup, otherwise known as the ``Olympics of Beer,'' evaluates beers from around the world and recognizes the top brewers and their beers, drawing 8,166 entries from 50 countries. Beyond their medal, the Cannonball Creek Brewing Company won in the most competitive category, known as West Coast-style IPA. Small businesses like Cannonball Creek Brewing Company help drive Golden's local economy and our state's economy. For both natives and members of Golden's thriving tourism industry, Cannonball Creek Brewing Company has provided excellent service and beers for over 20 years, contributing to Colorado's leadership in producing outstanding craft brews. On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate the Cannonball Creek Brewing Company on receiving a gold and silver medal at the World Beer Cup and thank them for their contributions to our community.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Baby Doe's Clothing from Golden, Colorado, for winning the 2026 Golden Rotary Club's Ethics in Business Award for a for-profit organization. For over two and a half decades, Baby Doe's Clothing has supported the Golden community through volunteer efforts, donated goods, and by fundraising for local organizations. Named after Colorado infamous historical figure Elizabeth ``Baby Doe'' Tabor, their organization sells a variety of women's clothing and accessories in downtown Golden. Baby Doe's Clothing stands as a model business promoting the best interest of Golden--recycling their waste, prioritizing transparency with customers, and donating excess inventory to local non-profits supporting low-income and previously incarcerated women. Baby Doe's Clothing owner, Lynn Conrad and original founder Nancy Mason, have also gone above and beyond for our community by volunteering their time with the Golden Chamber of Commerce and for cherished community events like the Golden Fine Arts Festival. They also contribute as community sponsors for the organizations GoFarm and the Golden Civic Foundation. In the words of her award nominee, Lynn is ``all about Golden'' and ``has lived in, worked in, and contributed to Golden for over two decades.'' On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Baby Doe's Clothing for all they do for our community.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jake Canter, born in Evergreen, Colorado, for representing the United States in the Men's Snowboard Slopestyle at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy and congratulate him on his winning of the bronze medal. In 2016, Jake experienced a traumatic brain injury that caused him to go into a six-day coma with a 20 percent survival rate. Jake had to relearn how to walk and talk and ultimately returned to snowboarding in 2017. With hard work and community support, he ended up earning the Junior Jam title at the 2018 U.S. Open and at just 15 years old Jake competed in the inaugural 2019 Knuckle Huck at X Games Aspen, earning a silver medal. Jake went on to win a bronze medal at the 2022 Laax Open and represented the USA at the 2023 FIS Snowboard World Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia. And in 2026, Jake made his Olympic debut in Milan and won bronze. Jake Canter's story is one of resilience in the face of challenges. Not only did he overcome the obstacles but found growth and is now inspiring other Coloradans to do the same. On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Jake Canter for winning the bronze medal and representing Colorado as part of the 2026 Winter U.S. Olympic Team at the Milan Olympics.