By Joanne Davidson
News: A Who’s Who of Colorado politicians, past and present, were among the 1,100-plus gathering at
the Hyatt Regency at the Colorado Convention Center on Nov. 1 for Thriving Denver: The Denver
Health Foundation Gala.
Among them: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper; state
Attorney General Phil Weiser; former House Speakers Terrance Carroll and Alec Garnett; Denver City
Council President Amanda Sandoval; and former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and his wife, former
state Rep. Wilma Webb.
The Webbs are both longtime supporters of Denver Health, and Wellington Webb is the
inspiration behind the Wellington E. Webb Award for Excellence in Health Care Philanthropy, an award
given this year to Josh Hanfling, co-founder of Sewald Hanfling Public Affairs. Hanfling is in his
10th year as chairman of the Denver Health Foundation board of directors and his 13th year as
a board member whose contributions include helping to strengthen Denver’s emergency response
systems, co-chairing the Paramedics Awards Celebration and introducing new supporters to Denver
Health.
“I’ve seen first-hand how many lives Denver Health has saved,” Hanfling said in accepting the award
from Denver Health’s chief executive officer, Donna Lynne. “It is one of our most valuable assets,
especially in these challenging times.”
Josh, you’ve always been a hands-on leader, and you’ve always been willing to take on more,” Lynne
said. “You’ve had a central role in shaping Denver Health Foundation into a trusted steward of
philanthropy, ensuring Denver Health remains strong for generations to come.”
The Caring for Denver Foundation, led by executive director Lorez Meinhold, received the Foundation
of Denver Health Award for its work in helping Denver Health expand its behavioral health services for
those most in need: high-risk youth, people experiencing homelessness and individuals involved with
the justice system.
Lynne noted that the partnership between the Caring for Denver Foundation and Denver Health
“Demonstrates how community investment can create lasting change in behavioral health across our
city.”
In addition, the Denver City Council was recognized as the 2025 Denver Health Champions. In addition
to President Amanda Sandoval, others in attendance included Kevin Flynn Chris Hinds,
Amanda Sawyer and Darrell Watson.
Nineteen civic leaders served as honorary chairs for Thriving Denver: Doug Friednash, Nancy Gary, Jeff
and Jen Geller, Brooke and Tom Gordon, Paula Herzmark, Christie and Walter Isenberg,
Auna Jornayvaz, Susan and Lee McIntire, David McReynolds, Chuck Morris, Diane Hanfling Reed, Blair
and Kristin Richardson, RD Sewald and Abby Goldsmith.
Fred Glick, chair-elect of the foundation board, was on the gala sales committee, a group that also
included Kris Gaw, April Audain, Natalie Nicholson, Bill Saslow, Kristie Sheets, Charlie Walling and
Molly Yost.
The festivities began with a networking reception where guests could view exhibits relating to Denver
Health services and clinics while sampling themed bites and cocktails. At the Southwest Denver stop,
for example, there were roasted pork bahn mi sliders and lemongrass spring rolls. The paramedics
station featured non-alcoholic beverages while the West Denver exhibit offered bitesized chile rellenos and corn salad and mini carnitas in tortilla cups.
Dinner, emceed by CBS News Colorado anchor Mekialaya White, a live auction and paddle raise called
by auctioneer and former Denver Bronco Reggie Rivers, was next, followed by entertainment by
the Flobots, a Denver-based alternative hip-hop band that has toured internationally for 15 years.
The Flobots also founded the nonprofit Youth on Record, which uses music to empower young
people.
The Thiry O’Leary Foundation was Thriving Denver’s presenting sponsor; additional sponsors were
Blair and Kristin Richardson, Dependable Cleaners, the MDC Richmond American Foundation, the
Rose Adom Charitable Fund, Susan and Lee McIntire, Cencora, Verizon and Brooke and Tom Gordon.
Net proceeds are still being tallied, but at latest count had topped $1.5 million.
About the organization: The Denver Health Foundation was founded in 1988 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization that operates separately from the Denver Health and Hospital Authority. Its purpose is to
raise money that is vital for sustaining the work Denver Health offers in areas that include health care
delivery, school-based clinics for children, behavioral health, first responder services and the social
and economic well-being of those living in the greater Denver area.
Website: denverhealthfoundation.org
