DENVER - The national service community has recognized Colorado Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera with the prestigious State Service Leadership Award from America's Service Commissions (ASC) for her extraordinary leadership and commitment to national service and volunteerism, specifically regarding AmeriCorps.

The ASC Innovation and Leadership Awards celebrate national service leaders across the country who take concrete action to leverage national service and volunteerism to meet pressing community needs in strategic and innovative ways.

Lt. Governor Primavera is being honored for her steadfast advocacy, hands-on engagement with AmeriCorps members, and pioneering efforts to expand service programs that strengthen critical priorities across Colorado, from mental health to wildfire mitigation.

"AmeriCorps changes lives, not just for the individuals who serve, but for the countless families and communities whose needs are met through that service," said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. "I've seen these impacts firsthand during my daughter's time as an AmeriCorps member, and it continues to inspire my work every day. This award is truly an honor, but the real recognition belongs to AmeriCorps members across Colorado and the country who show up, roll up their sleeves, and build a better future for all of us."

Since taking office, Lt. Governor Primavera has worked alongside Serve Colorado, the Governor's Commission on Community Service, to usher in an era of growth and innovation in AmeriCorps programming. She has actively engaged communities across the state to identify areas of greatest need and strategically leverage national service to address them.

By connecting AmeriCorps members with meaningful service opportunities, she has not only strengthened communities but also advanced workforce development, equipping members with valuable skills and experience that benefit both themselves and the communities they serve. She helped launch the Colorado COVID Containment Response Corps, the Public Health Apprenticeship, and the new Youth Mental Health Corps. These groundbreaking initiatives not only expanded opportunities for AmeriCorps members but also created lasting improvements in the health and well-being of communities across the state.

This year, when the federal government abruptly cancelled more than $400 million in AmeriCorps grants nationwide, Lt. Governor Primavera mobilized immediately. She rallied her fellow lieutenant governors, spearheaded advocacy efforts to Congress, led a coordinated media response, and ensured that every AmeriCorps member serving in Colorado could complete their service term.

"Lt. Governor Primavera has been a true champion for national service and volunteerism," said Kaira Esgate, Chief Executive Officer of America's Service Commissions. "Her leadership, from launching innovative health-focused AmeriCorps programs in Colorado to her decisive advocacy when federal funding was under threat, has inspired service leaders nationwide. We are proud to recognize her extraordinary vision and commitment to ensuring service remains a powerful force for good in Colorado and across the nation."

Under Lt. Governor Primavera's leadership, service has become more than a program in Colorado; it has become a movement. Her advocacy and vision continue to shape a stronger, healthier, and more resilient future for the state and the nation.

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