The New Year is upon us. For some, that means parties, silly hats, ball drops, assorted resolutions, gym memberships and off-key renditions of Auld Lang Syne.

On my end, the turning of the calendar calls for my annual recognition of eight particularly distinguished Coloradans. I call them exemplars for the example they set of how to live life with decency, intention and impact.

Without further preamble, here is this year’s honor roll.

George Sparks. Now in his mid-70s, George still arrives almost every morning at 4 a.m. for his job as head of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. It is a position he has held for nearly 20 years with no sign of slowing down. He describes those early hours of being virtually alone amidst the exhibits as “magical” and “spiritual.” Far beyond steering one of Colorado’s anchor institutions, George is a civic leader in countless capacities. Raised in the remote depths of southern West Virginia, the Air Force Academy was George’s ticket to a different life. What followed was an early career as an Air Force pilot and aeronautics professor before a quarter-century in the electronic measurements business. One of his passions at the Museum has been the creation of the Institute for Science & Policy to bring both science and civility into policy debates.

Nancy Sharp. Out of profound personal loss can emerge the roots of a remarkable life of insight, empathy and contribution. Nancy was a young wife in New York City when her husband was felled by brain cancer. Seeking a fresh start, she moved to Denver with her young twins. Sometime after settling in, she read a magazine profile of local television newsman, Steve Saunders, and his too similar story of losing his wife to pancreatic cancer. A romance and marriage commenced. Far beyond that, so did a career. That was 15 years ago. These days, Nancy is an accomplished writer, sought-after speaker and expert facilitator in helping others craft legacy letters of lessons and wisdom to outlive them. Hers is a story of resilience and her gifts flow from that experience.

Jeff Roberts. A longtime journalist, Jeff has led the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition for the past decade. The organization advocates and fights vigorously for open, transparent government throughout Colorado. Given the state’s reputation for leading the way in passing sunshine and open records laws, one might think such an effort unnecessary. But that is hardly the case. Jeff tirelessly pushes for the enforcement of these standards and the public’s right to know when it comes to government and court proceedings. His commitment and accomplishment is such that he was recently named to lead the board of the National Freedom of Information Coalition. Away from the office, Jeff and wife Karen are model parents of three adult children, including Benjamin, now 26, deeply loved and cared for with his severe disabilities.

Alexis Menocal Harrigan. A first-generation American, Alexis has built a record of achievement and leadership at a still young age. I recall her from her first professional job as junior person at the Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation. She went from there to impressive stints with Sen. Michael Bennet and then-Gov. John Hickenlooper. More recently, she has held senior executive positions with two large operations linking technology and education. Long active in issues of immigrant support and integration, Alexis identifies on many issues with Colorado’s progressive left. But that doesn’t deter her from being outspoken on issues of educational choice and equity. Also, consider this: Had Denver voters been more discerning and picked her back in 2019, we could have been spared four years of the spectacle of Tay Anderson.

Laura Carno. Laura is testament to the fact that friendships can grow despite political differences. And that such differences ought not be defining. After sharing a couple of Colorado Inside Out TV panels, Laura suggested a lunch to get to know each other. Out of that has come a valued connection. This is despite her early work on behalf of Lauren Boebert’s first campaign (for which she is still doing repentance) and her leadership of a group focused on dealing with school shootings by arming and training school personnel. Suffice to say, that is not my remedy. Our honest disagreements add a richness to our conversations. And how can you not appreciate a lunch guest who shows up with a gift of homegrown heirloom tomatoes?

Stephen Hawkins. On the subject of bridging differences, Stephen does that for a living. Now working out of Denver, he has served as research director since the 2016 beginning of More in Common, a group in the U.S. and four European countries seeking to narrow the political divides. He is our resident, data-driven expert on rampant polarization. Lest you be terminally downcast, Stephen’s presentations are replete with demonstrations that Democrats and Republicans are not as far apart on many values as much rhetoric would suggest. His is a critical voice from whom we will hear much more in coming years.

Rico Munn. Rico’s resume and talent could have led to private sector or law firm riches. Instead, he answered a calling of public service. Colorado is a better place for that commitment. Following tours of duty leading the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies and the Department of Higher Education, Rico served for 10 years as the superintendent of Aurora Public Schools. I hope he received hazard pay. In the endless battles between so-called reformers and establishment-types, his tenure defied easy categorization. His north stars were quality and achievement, often in the face of challenging demographics and dysfunctional board politics. Fittingly for a next act, Rico signed on as chief of staff to the president of Colorado State University.

Lindsay Neil. Rounding out this year’s list, Lindsay belongs here for multiple reasons. Building on leadership roles with the Denver Office of Children’s Affairs, Stand for Children Colorado and STRIVE Prep, Lindsay is a public policy consultant with a rare ability to cut to the heart of the matter. She is in the middle of many of the state’s important debates. On top of that, she demonstrated public courage in openly discussing her family’s struggles with a teenage son’s addiction to high-potency marijuana. Hooray for her outspokenness. Married to a Latino man and together raising three Latino sons, Lindsay lives with great intentionality, moving her family a few years ago to Mexico while she occasionally commutes to Denver for work assignments.

Happy New Year! Let us temper the likely tumult of the coming months with perspective and decency as exemplified by these eight outstanding individuals.

Eric Sondermann is a Colorado-based independent political commentator. He writes regularly for Colorado Politics and the Gazette newspapers. Reach him at EWS@EricSondermann.com; follow him at @EricSondermann