Looking Back at Past Blue Ribbon Award Winners: Colin West
Tahoe Chamber | April 8, 2024 | Blog • Chamber News
“I’ve always believed that no matter what we do in life, it needs to be FUN. If we all did what we enjoyed, we would be happier, jobs would get done in the best way possible and the world would be a better place. Everything I choose to focus on in my professional life has been sincerely enjoyable and fun to be involved in and based on this motto; the concept of Clean Up The Lake is in itself fun, yet it equally includes a mission designed to bring about positive change in the world.” – Colin West
When it comes to being a steward of Lake Tahoe, it’s hard to find someone quite like Colin West. Colin is the Founder and CEO of the environmental non-profit, Clean Up The Lake, who recently helped tackle the long existing problem of trash both above and below the surface of Lake Tahoe by organizing a 72-mile, basin-wide cleanup project. The first ever human-powered circumnavigation of Lake Tahoe using SCUBA, and was the largest ever litter-clean up in Lake Tahoe’s history.
As a 2021 recipient of Tahoe Chamber Blue Ribbon Award, and Owner, Director and Executive Producer (EP) of a successful film & television production company, Colin is no stranger to receiving recognition from his wide range of accomplishments. Recently, we were able to catch up with Colin and see how things are going for him and Clean Up The Lake since winning the Community Enrichment Award.
“We were very pleased to be recognized for the efforts within our community during the 2021 Blue Ribbon Awards”, said Colin. “We always try to enrich our community and feel that volunteering and working in our professional lives to make our home and community a better place is a great way to do so. We have also continued to grow and expand our efforts, since then we have only continued to impact the environment in positive ways!”
The Community Enrichment Award was created to honor a business, non-profit, or agency that responds to needs of the community through advocacy or long-term strategies and demonstrates commitment to community through investment of resources, community dialogue, and partnerships. The Tahoe Chamber feels it is important to recognize the people that are going above and beyond for our community and believes that recognizing their efforts helps give back to the overall health of the community.
Tahoe Chamber’s Blue Ribbon Awards have celebrated the accomplishments and contributions of businesses, organizations, and individuals in the South Shore community since 2007. The event is among the largest business recognitions in the area, attracting leaders, entrepreneurs, community members, and officials.
When asked about his thoughts on Tahoe Chamber, Colin said, “I think it is important for there to be a Chamber in each community and I am looking forward to finding out more ways to get involved that are mutually beneficial for our community and the membership you have.”
Nominations are open until April 17th and include: Sustainable Tourism (sponsored by Marriott Grand Residence), Innovation (sponsored by Idle Hour), Excellence in Business (sponsored by Azul & Base Camp Pizza), Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by El Dorado Community Foundation), Community Enrichment (sponsored by Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe), Customer Service – Business (sponsored by Vail Resorts), Customer Service – Public Agency (sponsored by South Tahoe Refuse), and New Business of the Year (sponsored by The Cork & More).
The awards ceremony, set for May 16 at the Tahoe Blue Event Center, promises an evening of celebration with a specialty cocktail from Tahoe Blue Vodka, a raffle, dinner, and recognition of award recipients. Attendees are invited to dress in theme colors and shimmer in sapphire and silver. The event is being presented by ADVANCE and the South Tahoe Alliance of Resorts and supported by media sponsors Tahoe Daily Tribune and Outside TV, with additional sponsorship from Tahoe Blue Event Center, Bally’s Lake Tahoe, Luna Lending, Barton Health, and The Landing Tahoe Resort and Spa.
To nominate, become a sponsor, or purchase event tickets, head over to the Blue Ribbon Awards page for more information.