Denver – Governor Polis will honor Joe Ellis and the Denver Broncos with the Community Enrichment Award at the Mizel Institute Annual Event on September 1st, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High. Joe Ellis is the president and CEO of the Denver Broncos Football Club. The Mizel Institute Community Enrichment Award is presented annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the community and worked to significantly enhance the lives of others. Previous recipients include Senator John Hickenlooper, Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Governor William & First Lady Frances Owens, Governor Roy Romer, Chancellor Daniel Ritchie, Richard L. Monfort, John Elway, Pat Bowlen and Peter H. Coors, among many others.
“Joe Ellis’ leadership of the Denver Broncos and his passion for causes that promote health and wellness, youth development and civic engagement for Coloradoans make him genuinely deserving of the Mizel Institute Community Enrichment Award,” said Governor Polis.
“We are privileged to honor a leader and an organization that have indelibly shaped our community,” said Larry A. Mizel, founder of the Mizel Institute. “Joe Ellis and the Denver Broncos demonstrate, time and again, that their family and team extend to the city and state. This past year, we have seen the most challenging of times, and Joe and the Broncos have helped lead the way in healing and unifying our community.”
Ellis’ leadership and business acumen have helped the Broncos strengthen their reputation as one of the most successful, civically minded and fan-friendly franchises in all of professional sports. The team and organization have earned significant local and national recognition for the Broncos' emphasis on community involvement and social responsibility during Ellis’ 26 seasons with the club, including the last 10 with him serving as team president. During such an unprecedented and challenging year in 2020, Ellis and the Broncos took a leadership role with COVID-19 recovery while serving as a catalyst for positive change throughout the community. Within weeks of the 2020 statewide stay-at-home orders, the Broncos’ organization, executives, players and alumni combined for nearly $1 million in direct financial aid to those affected by the pandemic. Under Ellis’ leadership, the Broncos provided significant and meaningful support to frontline workers, first responders, medical professionals, restaurant employees and many others who were impacted by COVID-19.
Funds raised from this event support the work of the Mizel Institute’s two centers, the Mizel Museum and the Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL), whose valuable programs empower individuals to become civically engaged in promoting social justice and enhancing public safety.
Learn more at MIZELinstitute.org.