Local organizations honored for dedication to integrity and ethical business practices.
The Torch Awards for Ethics is the most prestigious honor BBBGWP bestows on businesses and charities operating within its eight-state service area. Winners are selected based on their commitment to operational integrity and ethical business practices.
Media Contacts:
Keylen Villagrana, PR and Communications Manager | keylen.villagrana@thebbb.org
Whitney Slade, Communications Director | pr-communications@thebbb.org
DENVER, CO. Oct 28, 2021 - Better Business Bureau Great West + Pacific (BBBGWP) announced four Central Colorado businesses and two charities as winners of its 2021 Torch Awards:
Bear Brother’s Roofing - Small Business of the Year
Lake Arbor and Automotive – Medium Business of the Year
Biscuits and Berries – Large Business of the Year
Vulcan Fire and Security – Spark Recipient
Aurora Mental Health Center – Charity of the Year
Outreach United Resource Center, Inc. – Charity of the Year
The Torch Awards for Ethics is the most prestigious honor BBBGWP bestows on businesses and charities operating within its eight-state service area. Winners are selected based on their commitment to operational integrity and ethical business practices.
“We were thrilled to receive more than 300 Torch Awards submissions this year from businesses and charities alike,” said Tyler Andrew, president and CEO of BBBGWP. “It was truly inspiring to learn how each business makes a daily commitment to not only uphold ethical business practices, but also embody the true meaning of integrity. We hope this recognition helps the winners and finalists stand out in their local communities and encourage more businesses to operate with those same principles.”
Each organization was asked to supply responses to prompts focused on their team's character, culture, customer engagement, and community involvement.
Bear Brother’s Roofing, established in 2000 in Denver, strives to instill family values in all interactions. “Bear Brothers Roofing is more than a workplace; it is a family,” said Operations Manager, Lauren Wright. “The leadership team at Bear Brothers ensures that each of their employees feels valued and empowered so that their positive energy resonates not only throughout the company but out to our
customers.”
Lake Arbor and Automotive, established in 1992 in Westminster, has won numerous prestigious awards throughout its inception, including the 2011 Torch Awards. “Lake Arbor Auto’s policy of ‘always doing the right thing’ creates an environment in which employees feel empowered to treat the customer well, without worrying about the impact on the company’s bottom line,” said Owner and Founder, Dana TePoel.
Biscuits and Berries, established in 1993 in Golden, has become a renowned caterer in the Central Colorado region. “All caterers tout their food - but B&B was the first caterer to cook from scratch, on site at our staffed events, and has always sought to deliver fine-dining food at every event,” said General Manager, Deryk Schenpf.
Vulcan Fire and Security, established in 2018 in Wheat Ridge, centers their customers around ethical safety. “We are a fire life safety business that protects people and property through fire detection systems. Our company mission statement and vision is simple; “Treat EVERYONE, customers, partners and fellow employees, as you would a member of your family,” said President, CJ Simonds.
Aurora Mental Health Center, established in 1975, is one of the leading mental health organizations in Aurora, having served 19,169 clients in 2020. “The kind of people attracted to the work of a nonprofit healthcare organization like ours tend to be those committed to serving the ‘greater good,’ not just as a vocation or profession, but as a way of life,” said CEO, Kelly Phillips Henry.
Outreach United Resource Center, Inc., established in 1986 in Longmont, places priority on providing basic needs to families. “Resource specialists provide case management, transitional and emergency shelter, emergency groceries and toiletries, hot meals, rent and utility assistance, prescriptions, transportation, clothing, budget counseling, and life skills classes to promote self-reliance,” said Grant Writer, Charity Bonner.
Torch Awards winners from each state were announced as part of a virtual ceremony held on Oct. 28, 2021. Learn more about the impact of the BBB Torch Awards from previous winners featured in the “Passing the Torch” video series.
ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust. In 2020, people turned to BBB more than 160 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.2 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at BBB.org. There are local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including BBB Great West & Pacific, which serves more than 20 million consumers in Alaska, Central Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Western Wyoming.
