Dana Crawford, a champion of redevelopment and historic preservation who helped to rescue Denver’s Pioneer Square, will receive a 2018 Colorado Governor’s Citizenship Medal, Gov. John Hickenlooper announced Monday.

The announcement called the medal “the highest honor bestowed upon Colorado citizens and organizations for meritorious contributions that strengthen the vitality of our state.”

In a statement, Hickenlooper said Crawford “highlights what citizenship means in Colorado. “She pioneered the redevelopment of Larimer Square, Denver’s original Main Street, and led the redevelopment and preservation of countless buildings in Denver and across our state. The Governor’s Citizenship Medal is a tribute to the incredible impact Dana has made in Colorado.”

Other Crawford projects in Denver over the last half-century have included Denver Union Station, Oxford Hotel, the Acme Lofts, the Edbrooke Lofts and Cooper Flats Condominiums. The Crawford Hotel at Union Station is named in her honor.

Crawford will receive one of five 2018 Colorado Governor’s Citizenship Medal’s this year, each recognizing a different type of service. She will receive the Vanguard Legacy Medal, which the announcement said is “given to a business leader who has made transformational contributions to the community throughout his or her career.”

The award will be presented by Hickenlooper and the Quarterly Forum, a Colorado-based community leadership organization.

All five medals will be presented at “The Event: Governor’s Leadership Celebration,” hosted by Hickenlooper and former Gov. Bill Owens, on Oct. 11. Click here for details. https://www.theeventcgcm.org/about/