Judge Conrad L. Ball Award & Banquet Information

For many years, Judge Conrad L. Ball was a beloved and respected jurist in Larimer County. Each fall the Conrad L. Ball Award is given, in his memory, to a recipient who has significantly contributed toward improving the quality of community justice in Larimer County. The event is hosted by the Larimer County Community Corrections Advisory Board. With the awards process and event planning conducted by Department staff (gathering nominations, facilitating voting process for The Board, arranging the awards dinner, and award presentation).

Nominations are collected from Board Members, colleagues, criminal justice professionals, and community members.

Nominations for the 48th Annual Conrad Ball Award are now closed.

Nominations for the 2026 Conrad Ball Award have closed as of July 20, 2026.

Please note that this award depends greatly on incoming nominations. Without appreciative people willing to take the time to submit nominations, this award would not be possible. If you know someone deserving of recognition, please submit your nomination during the open nomination period. Nominating is easy and requires that you write a brief essay (not more than one typed page) describing the nominee's outstanding or significant contribution(s) to the quality of justice in Larimer County. When drafting your nomination, consider including information about how long the nominee has been contributing to the criminal justice system, in what roles or capacities, what are the impacts they've made or trails they have blazed, and any traits, examples, or accomplishments.

If you have questions about the nomination process, please contact Alexis Ongley at (970) 498-7566 or aongley@larimer.org or Erin Caldwell at (970) 498-7534 or ecaldwell@larimer.org.

2025 - Tim Hand
2024 - Honorable Susan Blanco
2023 - Kate Perrill
2022 - Lieutenant Staci Shaffer
2021 - Kathryn Hay
2020 - Gary A. Darling
2019 - Laurie Stolen
2018 - Ray Martinez
2017 - Honorable Daniel J. Kaup
2016 - Luke Hecker
2015 - Sharon Winfree
2014 - Nancy Griffith-Conklin
2013 - Victor Johnson
2012 - Les Rudner
2011 - Honorable Christine A. Carney
2010 - Tom McLellan
2009 - Honorable James H. Hiatt
2008 - Honorable Stephen J. Schapanski
2007 - Clifford E. Riedel
2007 - Patti Dean
2006 - Velma G. Gallegos
2006 - Joseph A. "Andy" Gavaldon
2005 - Andrew L. Bertrand 
2004 - Loren Schall
2003 - Honorable Arnaud Newton
2002 - Honorable John-David Sullivan
2001 - Phil Porter
2001 - Anne G. Hudgens
2000 - Sergeant Leslie Young
1999 - Laurie Barnhill & Magistrate Joseph Coyte
1998 - Judy Bradley, Ellen Ring, Karen Berg & LuAnn Wasinger
1998 - Captain Gary A. Darling
1997 - Paul H. Cooper
1996 - Gina P. (Dersham) Pando
1996 - Cynthia M. Hartman
1995 - Thomas H. Moore
1994 - Mary Anne Hadac
1993 - Terence A. Gilmore
1992 - Stuart A. VanMeveren
1992 - Linda Wheeler-Holloway
1991 - Earl J. Fawcett
1990 - Honorable John J. Tobin
1989 - James P. Anderson
1988 - Larry R. Abrahamson
1987 - D. Joan Hopkins
1986 - Honorable John A. Price
1985 - Gail W. Doxtader
1984 - Chief Ralph M. Smith
1983 - Honorable J. Robert Miller
1982 - William Clothier
1981 - Paul Holdeman
1980 - Donn Hopkins & Jeff McConkey
1979 - Honorable Conrad L. Ball

48th Annual Judge Conrad L. Ball Award honors Fort Collins Police Services Deputy Chief of Police Kristy Volesky.

The other nominees for the 2026 Conrad Ball Award were Lynette Dunn, Attorney Matthew Haltzman, Attorney Troy Krenning, Perrie McMillen, Lieutenant Heather Moore, and Fort Collins Police Services Strategic Operations Group.

This year’s award banquet will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., September 25th, 2026, at the Fort Collins Country Club,1920 Country Club Road, Fort Collins, Colorado.

If you have questions about the nomination or voting process, please contact Alexis Ongley at (970) 498-7566 or aongley@larimer.org or Erin Caldwell at (970) 498-7534 or ecaldwell@larimer.org.