Vale la Pena
Celebrating the people who make Colorado stronger.
Thursday, October 22, 2026 | 6:00 PM
Mile High Station | Denver, Colorado
Purchase Tickets View Sponsorship Brochure
Vale la Pena is an evening dedicated to celebrating the people, organizations, and businesses strengthening Colorado’s Hispanic and Latino communities – while helping ensure more young people have the opportunity to experience the life-changing impact of Scouting.
Join Scouting Colorado for an evening of honorees, community, culture, and fun as we recognize this year’s champions and come together around a simple belief:
Scouting is worth it.
Every young person deserves the chance to discover what they’re capable of. Through Scouting, youth build confidence, develop leadership skills, explore the outdoors, serve their communities, and form friendships that can last a lifetime.
And because of the generosity of our supporters, those opportunities are reaching young people across Colorado.
An Evening Worth Celebrating
At Vale la Pena, you’ll:
- Celebrate Champions — Honor individuals and organizations making a meaningful difference in Colorado’s Hispanic and Latino communities.
- Experience Scouting — Get a glimpse of the adventures, traditions, and hands-on experiences that make Scouting unique.
- Connect with Community Leaders — Build relationships with business, civic, philanthropic, and community leaders from across Colorado.
- Make an Impact — Help provide meaningful Scouting experiences for young people throughout the state.
Your Support Makes Scouting Possible
100% of proceeds from Vale la Pena stay local, supporting Scouting Colorado programs across the Denver Metro and Western Slope.
In 2025, 840 young people participated in our Scoutreach program at no cost to their families — providing access to Scouting for youth who otherwise may not have had the opportunity.
Your ticket, sponsorship, or gift helps make moments like these possible.
Because when we invest in young people, everyone benefits.
Join Us
October 22, 2026 | 6:00 PM
Mile High Station
2027 W Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80204
Come celebrate. Come connect. Come make a difference.
100% of proceeds stay local to support Scouting Colorado programs across the Denver Metro and Western Slope. In 2025, 840 youth participated in our Scoutreach program at no cost because of events like Vale la Pena and sponsors like YOU.
Vale la Pena.
Because Scouting is worth it.
Meet our 2026 Honorees
Ken Salazar
Lifetime Achievement Award
Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Bobby LeFebre
2026 Vale la Pena Honoree
Colorado Poet Laureate Emeritus
Ellen Alires-Trujillo
2026 Vale la Pena Honoree
Attorney & Community Advocate
Honored posthumously
Angel Vigil
2026 Vale la Pena Honoree
Award-Winning Author & Historian
Metro State University of Denver
2026 Vale la Pena Honoree
Higher Education Institution
A Legacy of Champions
For more than two decades, Vale la Pena has brought together leaders, changemakers, businesses, and organizations who have made a lasting impact on Colorado’s Hispanic and Latino communities.
From elected officials and business leaders to educators, advocates, nonprofits, and community organizations, our past honorees represent the many people and institutions that have helped make Colorado a stronger, more connected place.
Past Vale la Pena Award Recipients
2025
Joe Black · Patty Salazar · Todd Saliman · Linda Sosa
2024
David Castaneda · Arturo Gutierrez · Marlene de la Rosa · Denver Museum of Nature and Science
2023
Felicia Fernandez
2022
Curtis Letson · Grant Thornton · Denver Public Schools
2021
Luis Alvarez · Mike Ferrufino · Tepeyac Community Health Center
2019
Rocio Perez · Risas Dental · Carlos Peralta · John Cabeza
2018
Colorado Rapids · Colorado Elks · Luis Alvarez
2017
Wells Fargo · Manny Rodriguez · Enrique Ramirez
2016
Dr. Robert Villareal · Sergio Colmenero · Mountain States Employers Council · Xcel Energy
2015
Mark Cordova · Mark Williams · Adolph Coors Foundation
2014
Patricia Barela-Rivera · Veronica Barela · Senator Irene Aguilar, MD · Padres & Jóvenes Unidos
2013
John Ikard · Paul Lopez · Florence Hernandez-Ramos · Wesley Woodyard · Delta Dental Foundation · Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy & Research Organization (CLLARO)
2012
Juanita Chacon · Guillermo “Bill” V. Vidal · Joseph A. Garcia · James E. Bye (posthumously)
2011
Barbara Brohl · Darlene LeDoux, Ph.D. · Manuel Martinez · Latin American Educational Foundation (LAEF)
2010
Thomas Honig · Irene Ibarra · Dr. Stephen Jordan · Ronald Montoya
2009
Michael Bennet · Linda Alvarado · Mario Carrera · Pat Cortez · Sister Alicia Cuaron · Ester Quintana Matheson
2008
Roy Romer · Daniels Fund · Lorenzo Trujillo · Luis Torres · Lena Archuleta
2007
Ken Salazar · Judge Christine Arguello · John Hickenlooper · Lola Salazar · Mi Casa Resource Center for Women
2006
Hon. Federico F. Peña · Polly B. Baca · Michael J. Shaw · Hispanic Annual Salute
For sponsorship information, please contact:
Becki Cornwall, Senior Development Director
