Kathleen Ricker, chairwoman of the El Paso County Democrats, was named Democrat of the Year Saturday night at the state party’s annual dinner in Denver.

“It is an incredible honor, and I’m so humbled,” Ricker said. “It really is an award for our whole team.”

Ricker said it wasn’t just her work that led to the rise of the party in one of the most conservative counties in the state, but she said there is a team working behind her.

Last year, Congressman Ed Perlmutter received the award, and it frequently goes to elected officials.

Pine Creek’s Kacin Nowlin receives his first-place ribbon for his 195-pound title at the 5A Region 2 meet at Doherty on Saturday. Photo by Scott Kaniewski, The Gazette.