HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04 Glen Porzak Trail Blazer AwardVAI L
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PROCLAMATION NO. 4, SERIES OF 2019
IN RECOGNITION OF VAIL'S TRAILBLAZER AWARD RECIPIENT
GLENN PORZAK
WHEREAS, the Town of Vail celebrated its 50th
birthday of incorporation as a municipality
on August 23, 2016, with numerous festivities taking place, including the debut of the Vail
Trailblazer Award Program, a civic recognition whereby the Vail Town Council acknowledges an
individual/s that exemplifies the spirit and fortitude in making Vail a great community through
selfless contributions of time and talent which have made a lasting impact;
WHEREAS, Glenn Porzak has been a part of Vail's water development since the 1970s
having served as the water law counsel for Vail Associates (now Vail Resorts) as well as for the
Eagle River Water & Sanitation District and Vail Water Sub-district;
WHEREAS, the nomination of Glenn Porzak for the Trailblazer Award carries the
endorsement of five former mayors of Vail and a current town council member as well as past
and present members of the board of directors of Eagle River Water & Sanitation District;
WHEREAS, the past fifty years of Vail's growth and current international premier status can
be attributed to Porzak's pioneering contributions in creating the water infrastructure essential
for a developing resort community having secured the in-basin water storage of the Eagle Park
Reservoir which supports the snowmaking capabilities on Vail Mountain and ensures the
adequate streamflows year-round in the Gore Creek and Eagle River;
WHEREAS, Porzak's vision included the construction of the Eagle Park Reservoir, located
at the headwaters of the Eagle River, the expansion of Black Lakes, located at the headwaters
of Black Gore Creek near the 1-70 Vail Pass exit, as well as the vision to establish the
recreational in-channel diversion, a new water right category, used to create the many
whitewater parks found across Colorado, a category that drew statewide attention and served
as a water law case that was challenged and eventually upheld by the Colorado Supreme
Court;
WHEREAS, Porzak, a founding partner of Porzak Browning & Bushong LLP a Boulder-
based firm, represented many water and land use interests; his expertise was invaluable during
negotiations for water interests of Vail and the upper Eagle River valley, his efforts in 1998
helped to limit the amount of water the Front Range cities of Aurora and Colorado Springs could
divert from the Eagle River basin, and his efforts in 2007 were instrumental in finalizing the
agreement and abandonment of the Eagle-Piney Water Project, of which Denver Water owned
extensive water rights, to prevent a trans-basin diversion of water;
WHEREAS, his accomplishments go well beyond his professional career as he has shown
his passion and expertise in the mountaineering world; Porzak has been a world-class climber
having summited Mt. Everest and three of the world's other 8,000 meter peaks; he was one of
the first persons to climb the Seven Summits, the highest peak on each of the world's seven
continents; and he has shown his commitment by having served as president of both the
American Alpine Club and the Colorado Mountain Club;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Mayor and Vail Town Council, the fourth
recipient of the Vail Trailblazer Award is Glenn Porzak, a pioneer who has been instrumental in
shaping Vail through the decades by advancing and protecting water rights, Porzak's underlying
contributions are both vast and visible in most everything, "from the water that comes out of our
tap, to the amazing recreational amenities in this valley, to the protection of our streams from
massive trans-mountain diversions, we owe our gratitude to Glenn for having the courage,
leadership, vision, commitment and wherewithal to challenge the status quo; an effort that
shows the spirit of Vail in supporting its social, recreational, cultural and environmental values;
this is our tribute to you as we extend our sincerest appreciation for your amazing and
exceptional contributions to the betterment of the Town of Vail and broader community.
Dated this
5th
day of March 2019.
Vail Town Council Attest:
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