The Fred Rasmussen Citizen Task Force Exceptional Achievement Award is given to an individual who exemplifies outstanding stewardship of our public lands.  They strive to support the activities of diverse recreational groups while maintaining a balance for resource protection.

Fred Rasmussen Citizen Task Force Exceptional Achievement Award Recipients

2021 Recipient: Bob Hamel

Bob Hamel was the inaugural recipient of the award for his decades of advocacy for the shared use and conservation of the Arkansas River. As the executive director of the Arkansas River Outfitters Association and a leader across several major water and recreation boards, including the Arkansas Basin Roundtable and Trout Unlimited, he has been instrumental in ensuring a balance among diverse user groups, including boaters and anglers. He was specifically recognized for his commitment to improving the river's fisheries and advancing the voluntary water flow program, demonstrating exceptional stewardship of the river corridor.

2022 Recipient: John "Nomi" Nahomenuk

John "Nomi" Nahomenuk was honored for his 33 years of dedicated public service as a river ranger and Outdoor Recreation Planner for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA). His career focused on balancing resource protection with diverse recreational needs, overseeing the development of trails, campgrounds, and facilities, and issuing special recreation permits for a wide range of activities from whitewater boating to motorized races. He demonstrated exceptional leadership in developing major planning documents, facilitating public discourse—even on controversial issues—and serving as a foundational liaison for community conservation efforts, such as the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA).

2023 Recipient: Greg Felt

Greg Felt received the award for his leadership in advancing integrated, large-scale public land stewardship across Chaffee County. As a County Commissioner, he was a driving force behind the county's Outdoor Recreation Management Plan, which serves as a model for regional partnerships. His efforts have led to the creation and funding of the Chaffee Rec Rangers and Adopters programs, providing critical support for recreation management and conservation, including the removal of over 45,000 pounds of trash from public lands. Furthermore, his work with the Envision Forest Health Council demonstrates a commitment to resource protection by mitigating severe wildfire risk, ensuring the long-term health of the Arkansas River corridor.

2024 Recipient: Alan Ward

Alan Ward was recognized for setting a standard for responsible stewardship among water rights holders, demonstrating how to align resource management with the public good and recreational interests. In his position overseeing water rights and supply infrastructure for Pueblo Water, he showed exceptional dedication to all users of the Arkansas River by timing water releases from storage to significantly benefit river recreationalists. His actions fostered a spirit of cooperation, rather than favoring any single group, exemplifying the award's core principle of balancing the maintenance of a vital resource with supporting diverse recreational activities.