West Colfax Lately Luncheon

More about the Awards

2026 Award Honorees

Tributes to 2026 Award Recipients:

2026 West Colfax LEGEND Award- FirstBank / PNC

This June, PNC officially completed its acquisition and transition of FirstBank, welcoming a staggering 780,000 customers and nearly $27 billion in assets into its network. Navigating a four-billion-dollar acquisition of a beloved, 63-year-old independent bank comes with immense operational challenges—and some changes, yet PNC has prioritized over-communication with customers to manage this milestone with care.

This award honors the profound legacy that FirstBank passes on to PNC—defined by a deep employee culture of civic leadership, community service, and millions of dollars driven into local philanthropy. Case in point: not only has the bank donated funds to our organizations every year, but its senior staff also helped us secure the critical, favorable financing that allowed us to purchase the HUB building, which has become a community cornerstone. 

As we welcome the PNC team into the heart of the Lakewood community, we look forward to building upon this legendary foundation of community involvement and nonprofit service for generations to come. To accept this award, please welcome Patrick Riley to the podium. Congratulations, PNC!

2026 LAKEWOOD LEGEND Award - Micheal Coughlin - 240 Union

This honors a man who is not just well-known in our community—he is the very definition of a Lakewood Legend. I’m talking about the founder of 240 Union Restaurant, Michael Coughlin. For more than 35 years, Michael’s 240 Union has stood as Lakewood’s finest dining destination. If you had anything to celebrate—an anniversary, a promotion, or a milestone—Michael's restaurant was the definitive place to go.

Step into the restaurant on any given weekday at noon, and you will find a literal "who's who" of the west metro area. Michael created a modern civic square. It’s a place where deals are made, relationships are forged, and community strategy is planned. It’s also the home for many local "election watch parties," where our community gathers to watch history unfold.

But Michael’s impact stretches far beyond the walls of his restaurant. He has dedicated much of his life to community service, sitting on the West Chamber and Red Rocks Community College Foundation boards, and supporting countless local charities—including hosting magical annual holiday parties for foster children. His unparalleled commitment to his community was honored by his industry peers, who recently inducted Michael into the Colorado Foodservice Hall of Fame with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado Restaurant Association. At 240 Union, Michael’s philosophy has always been to put his employees first so they can take exceptional care of the guests. Nearly every night, you will find him personally working the floor, greeting neighbors by name, and ensuring an outstanding experience.

Michael, thank you for 35 years of culinary excellence, for your unmatched generosity, and for being the steady heartbeat of our business community. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a legendary round of applause for a LAKEWOOD LEGEND, Michael Coughlin!

2026 MOMENTUM Award Winners

2026 MOMENTUM Award Winner - Ian Greenleaf - Anachronism Art Supplies

Our first MOMENTUM Award today recognizes an individual who has truly become a mainstay of our district. Let me share a bit about our winner: Ian Greenleaf of Anachronism Art Supplies. As his company name implies, Ian is a bit of a throwback to another time. He embodies the spirit of community and service—even offering customers and guests a freshly brewed cup of tea.

Ian’s journey began as an employee back when the shop was known as Red Herring Art Supply, then owned by 2016 Momentum Award winner, Kris Autobee. When Kris decided to sell, they worked together on a transition plan so Ian could carry the torch forward. But Ian didn’t wait to become the owner to lend a helping hand. He has always been one to pitch in at the HUB and help at 40 West Arts and WCCA events, building upon Kris’s legacy of service. He brings that dedication to his customers every day—alongside his trusty mascot cat, Georgia O’Kitty.

Ian, thank you for keeping the absolute best little art supply store in Colorado going strong. Thank you for having the courage to take a leap of faith into business ownership, for always lending a helping hand, and, of course, for making a fine cup of tea. Please join me in honoring our first 2026 MOMENTUM Award winner, Ian Greenleaf of Anachronism Art Supplies!

2026 MOMENTUM Award Winner - Leanne & Corey Silverman - The Furnace Glassworks

Our next MOMENTUM Award goes to a husband-and-wife team whose incredible passion has brought an entirely new dimension of creativity to our West Colfax creative corridor.

In 2022, Leanne and Corey Silverman of The Furnace Glassworks made a major investment in our corridor by relocating their hot shop studio and gallery to Lakewood’s West Colfax Avenue. By opening up this public-access space, they didn’t just set up a business—they built a welcoming venue where creativity thrives and given us a front-row seat to watch the amazing craft of glassblowing. Step into their studio on any given day, and you will find one-of-a-kind sculptural and functional art being created. Glasswork that is placed in galleries all across the country. But Leanne and Corey don't just keep the magic of glassmaking to themselves. They are dedicated to sharing their love for the craft, offering creative public classes that range from introductory torchwork to advanced techniques at the furnace. They invite our community to pull up a front-row seat, fall in love with glass, and literally light their own creative fires.

For their investment in the corridor, their outstanding workshops, and the fiery spark of uniqueness they bring to West Colfax, we are thrilled to honor our next 2026 MOMENTUM Award winners, Leanne and Corey Silverman of The Furnace Glassworks.

2026 MOMENTUM Award Winner - Melissa Leach - The Three Leaches Theatre

Our final MOMENTUM Award today goes to an organization that has fundamentally changed what it means to experience the performing arts in our community. For almost fifteen years, Melissa Leach and The Three Leaches Theatre have believed down to their core that the arts belong to everyone. When they relocated to their new home on Teller Street, ½ block north W Colfax, they didn't just open a theater—they brought an entirely new, vibrant dimension of live performance into our district.

From producing critically-acclaimed plays like Talley’s Folly to hosting collaborative gallery shows, kids' summer camps, and local writer's clubs, they are a true engine of creativity. They embody the diverse, gritty, and fiercely welcoming spirit that defines our district.

But what makes Melissa and her team extraordinary is their commitment to accessibility. They operate on a completely transparent, "pay-what-you-can" ticket model. Under Melissa's leadership, the question isn't "Can you afford a ticket?"—the question is simply, "Would you like a seat?"

By breaking down financial barriers, they ensure that high-caliber, professional storytelling is a right, not a luxury for our community. For bringing the transformative power of live theater into our district, for championing diversity, and for making sure that art remains accessible to everyone, we honor them tonight. Please give it up for this 2026 MOMENTUM Award winners: Melissa Leach and The Three Leaches Theatre!

2025 Award Honorees

Tributes to 2025 Award Recipients:

For Bob Murphy — West Colfax LEGEND Award Honoree
Our LEGEND Award Winner this year is well known throughout Lakewood. It’s hard to quantify the impact Bob Murphy has had on our city. From Planning Commissioner to City Councilor to Mayor and countless other less prominent roles, his public service spans more than 20 years! As a city councilor, he chaired the blue-ribbon committee with many of us in this room that recommended the formation of a Business Improvement District and also suggested the idea for an Arts District for West Colfax. His energy and support were instrumental in making both a reality! He also led the charge to bring RTD’s W Line light rail to Lakewood—and so much more. And who could forget his appearance on the cover at the very first edition of West Colfax Lately Magazine—along with fellow Lakewood resident, Artist Lonnie Hanzon. He has been a friend and mentor to many—and we so pleased to recognize his lasting influence on the City of Lakewood and the West Colfax corridor—please join me in honoring Bob Murphy as our 2025 West Colfax LEGEND!

For Trevor Wolfson — West Colfax MOMENTUM Award Winner
Our first Momentum Award winner has played ever-growing role in supporting the city’s neighborhoods, especially here in the West Colfax corridor. His commitment to BUILDING COMMUNITY and STRONG NEIGHBORHOODS is apparent through his willingness to help. And not just from his desk at the city—he is a hands-on kind of guy, who will roll up his sleeves and pitch in—whether that’s volunteering at a community painting project, supporting the success of our Colfax Clean-ups events, or assisting with anything that’s needed at WCCA meetings. His pleasant nature and “can-do” attitude make him a joy to be around!  For this and a lot more, join us in honoring Trevor Wolfson with our first 2025 West Colfax MOMENTUM Award!

For Nestor Fedak — West Colfax MOMENTUM Award Winner
Our next Momentum Award winner is no stranger to West Colfax—he led the team that transformed the corner of Wadsworth and Colfax with an award-winning Sculpture Walk; he not only led the team—he designed the space AND the large sculpture “EverTrees” that anchors the space. After “semi-retiring” from the city—he came back for the more—accepting the first-ever Placemaking Installations Coordinator position, a parttime role helping to maintain the 70+ art installations along the 40 West ArtLine—where his artistic Totems help guide patrons on the 4-mile route that connects three area parks. For his creative spirit and dedication to add more beauty to our community, please join me in congratulating Nestor Fedak for his service with our next West Colfax MOMENTUM Award!

From our 2024 Luncheon . . .

Tributes to 2024 Award Recipients:

For Cindy Baroway - West Colfax LEGEND Award Honoree:
Cindy Baroway has been an active member of the Lakewood and West Colfax community for more than three decades.  (She clearly started her civic activities as a teenager!)  To say that Cindy is active in her community is an understatement--serving on more boards than we name—here’s just a few: Colorado Gives Foundation, Jefferson County Open Space Advisory Committee, CASA of Jeffco/Gilpin Counties, West Colfax Community Association, and the 1st Judicial District Performance Commission. She also has been a Junior Achievement volunteer for over 30 years, receiving their Golden Apple Award in 2016. In addition to her service in the community, Cindy has been recognized in her career for leadership in Higher Education and the Risk Management Industry, receiving numerous awards, including the University of Colorado Denver Business School’s Community Impact Award and the RMI Leadership Award. Most everyone knows she served as a Lakewood City Councilor from 2007 to 2015 and is currently serving as a commissioner on the Lakewood Reinvestment Authority. As a sitting City Councilor in 2014-15, along with the local business improvement district, she led a group of 20+ West Colfax Ambassadors to create the West Colfax Vision 2040 Action Plan that was formally adopted by the city in 2015. On behalf of the community--Thank you, Cindy!  Please join us in congratulating Cindy Baroway as this year’s West Colfax LEGEND Award winner! 

For Scott West, Prestige Imports - West Colfax MOMENTUM Award Winner:
Scott West is the GM at Prestige Imports, the oldest Porsche and Audi dealer in the Rocky Mountain Region—located on West Colfax since 1984. Under Scott’s leadership—despite many opportunities to relocate and too many challenges to list in the planning and construction process—he led the charge to keep this flagship dealership on West Colfax. We’re grateful for that!  That decision by the Ownership Group and Scott kept 160+ jobs here and led to the investment of tens of millions of dollars in the new, state-of-the-art Porsche Dealership you see on the corner of Garrison & Colfax—that’s sure to become an iconic landmark on West Colfax! Scott and Prestige Imports are longtime members of 40 West Arts and WCCA—and even allowed 40 West to host its Gala in his showroom—free of charge! Scott also serves on the Lakewood-W. Colfax BID board of directors and has presented at WCCA’s meeting numerous times. If you him—you know his energy and passion for this community is contagious! We are truly grateful for Scott’s vision, resolve, and tenacity. For their leadership and commitment to our West Colfax corridor, please join us in honoring Scott West and Prestige Imports with this 2024 West Colfax Momentum Award!

For Marti Winer, GM, and Dana “Loca” Rodriguez, Culinary Director - Casa Bonita - West Colfax MOMENTUM Award Winner:
For more than 50 years—Casa Bonita has been a West Colfax mainstay—among the most visited destination in Lakewood. The pandemic nearly killed it. If not for the new owners, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the creators of South Park, it would have died. It was not just suffering from closures associated with the pandemic, but also profound deferred maintenance needs. Where others would have abandoned the project—they stuck with it . . . investing what they said in a New York Times article was an “infinite” amount of money to restore the beloved destination to better than the original!  “Change nothing, improve everything” was their mantra. And they achieved just that—and so much more!

They hired artisans and craftsmen to restore every fixture and replace every pipe and wire in the building.
They paid existing employees during construction to volunteer at local nonprofits, such as the Action Center.
They brought in a NEW Team who embraced the West Colfax revitalization, sparked by the emergence 40 West Arts District.
They held community “meet & greet” meetings at WestFax Brewing Co.
They brought on an award-winning new chef to dramatically improve its culinary experience.
They helped 40 West Summer Youth Camps by hosting campers and teachers at Casa Bonita for lunch, all the shows and games, and giving each child a gift to take home to remember the day.

There is so much more to this story . . . but after a two-year journey, Casa Bonita reopened in May 2023 . . . reportedly nearly a million people have signed-up on their new reservation platform. Like those who have signed up to see the remarkable restoration of this much-loved Mexican-themed restaurant—we want to say “Thank You” to Matt & Trey and their New Team! Thank you for continuing the tradition of allowing us to make “forever” memories. For restoring this iconic West Colfax destination and for their “infinite” investment in our community, please join us in welcoming the GM Marti Winer and Chef Dana “Loca” Rodriguez to the stage to honor Casa Bonita with our 2024 West Colfax MOMENTUM Award!

Thank you to our 2024 & 2025 Sponsors!

Thank You to Our 2024 Tables Sponsors

Lakewood Economic Development
Lakewood Comprehensive Planning
40 West Arts
Lakewood-West Colfax BID
Rocky Mountain College and Art + Design
Office Evolution
Metro West Housing Solutions
Seigneur Gustafson LLP
Calahan Construction Services
LaDawn Sperling - Caldwell Banker Realty
Banner Signs

More Images of 2024 Event

Images from 2023 Event:

Congratulation once again to 2023 Award Winners!