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 open.

Nominations for the 2026 Conrad Ball Award are currently being accepted. Submissions will close on July 20, 2026.

Click here to submit a nomination.

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 [email protected] or Erin Caldwell at (970) 498-7534 or [email protected].

Nominations for the 2026 Award are now copen. The recipient will be honored on September 25, 2026 at the Fort Collins Country Club.

In 2025, the keynote speaker was Dr. Matt Lunn, Director of the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice.

Dr. Matthew M. Lunn was appointed as the director of the Division of Criminal Justice in September 2023. Prior to his appointment, Dr. Lunn was the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Denver Police Department, where he focused on public policy, developed short- and long-term strategic goals, drove innovation and evaluation efforts, and maximized organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Prior to his tenure with the Denver Police Department, he worked for the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office and for the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner.

Dr. Lunn earned his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, a Master of Science from Regis University, and a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University. Lunn is a graduate of the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Management Institute for Police. Dr. Lunn held leadership roles on local, state, and federal boards and commissions, and held faculty appointments at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Colorado Denver, and Binghamton University-SUNY. Lunn is currently serving on the board of directors for the National Criminal Justice Association.

If you have questions about the nomination process, please contact Alexis Ongley at (970) 498-7566 or [email protected] or Erin Caldwell at (970) 498-7534 or [email protected].