When you hold an event that includes the agencies, nonprofits and elected officials that support first responders, there’s positive energy everywhere. There’s also a savvy “I get you” vibe. And with all the uniformed heroes in attendance, there’s a roomful of respected blue.

Reps from Denver Fire Department

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, more than 300 gathered in The Curtis Hotel ballroom for the 12th annual Denver Public Safety Luncheon. Event organizers Josh Hanfling, of Sewald Hanfling Public Affairs, and Laura Douglas, executive director of Denver Fire Department Foundation, focused on two goals: to inform the community about the state of public safety in Denver and to raise funds for associated area nonprofits. Net proceeds are divided evenly among Denver Fire Department Foundation, Denver Police Foundation, Metro Denver Crime Stoppers, Denver Sheriff’s Orphans Fund, Denver Health Foundation and Denver DA Justice Programs Foundation.

(l to r): Laura Douglas, event organizer and executive director of Denver Fire Department Foundation; recipient of Denver Public Safety Citizen’s Award Walter Isenberg, of Sage Hospitality; Josh Hanfling, event organizer, of Sewald Hanfling Public Affairs; and former Denver City Council member and emcee Albus Brooks

Albus Brooks served as emcee, and two award honorees had the opportunity to speak to the crowd: Retired Denver Sheriff Gary Wilson, (27 years with the City and County of Denver, now living and working out of state), recipient of the Jerry Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award; and Walter Isenberg, of Sage Hospitality Group, recipient of the David J. Cole Denver Public Safety Citizen’s Award. Speakers were tasked with presenting something new, something people may not know about Denver’s public safety, in a brief presentation. They were: Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Denver District Attorney Beth McCann, Executive Director of the Office of Public Safety Armando Saldate, Denver Health Chief Paramedic Gary Bryskiewicz, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas, Denver Sheriff Elias Diggins, Denver Deputy Fire Chief Kathleen Vredenburgh, Denver 911 Director Andrew Dameron.

To learn more about this annual event, please go to: https://www.denverfirefoundation.org/events.

Blacktie Colorado
Blacktie Colorado