Thank you to all of our residents who participated in the Leave No Trace Spring Photography Contest! Participants were asked to submit their best photos showcasing Westminster’s natural beauty that we aim to protect with the Leave No Trace program, and after City staff selected finalists, the community voted for our top three winners.
Throughout the contest we received over 200 submissions, and over 700 votes have been tallied. The winners of our top three prizes are… (drumroll please)
First Place – Cindy Bernard
Photographer: Cindy Bernard
Total votes received: 220
Where was this photo taken?
“College Pond, north of Front Range Community College”
Any fun or interesting info about your experience taking this photo?
“College Pond is a very pretty, quiet and peaceful place to sit and watch the waterfowl come and go.”
Your favorite place to experience the natural beauty of Westminster?
“Big Dry Creek Trail and College Pond”
Second Place – Stephen Stefiuk
Photographer: Stephen Stefiuk, www.facebook.com/stephen.stefiuk/
Total votes received: 188
Where was this photo taken?
“Little Dry Creek Trail”
Any fun or interesting info about your experience taking this photo?
“My good friend, Mary, tipped me off on a Great Horned owl’s nest at a park she frequents regularly. I heard there were three owlets in the nest and waited patiently from a distance with a 500mm lens with the no-doubt exhausted mama owl eyeing me warily from a nearby branch. It was the middle of the morning – so not an ideal time for activity from a nocturnal species. Despite this, one of the more curious owlets peaked their head out and I managed to get this shot using the harsh midday light to create a halo effect on the owlet’s soft feathers around its head.”
Your favorite place to experience the natural beauty of Westminster?
“I love going to Standley Lake for the bird walks they host a couple of times a month. Two bird experts, Mike and Jeff, lead walks through the park and talk all about the birds we spot. It’s impossible not to learn new and interesting things about the dozens of species that call the lake a permanent or seasonal home.”
Third Place – B. Enrique Alvarado
Photographer: B. Enrique Alvarado, @designbyalva
Total votes received: 107
Where was this photo taken?
“My backyard fence. We live in the Sheridan Green area.”
Any fun or interesting info about your experience taking this photo?
“There are more than one fox in our neighborhood, and we’ve watched them grow up from little babies. Oftentimes we see them running across our front yard.”
Your favorite place to experience the natural beauty of Westminster?
Standley Lake
This year’s prizes include:
- 1st Place GRAND PRIZE: Deluxe Glamping Package at Standley Lake, including a two-night canvas tent rental for up to 4 people, extra vehicle entry to the park, free kayak/canoe/paddleboard rentals for up to 4 people, and a gourmet S’mores and Hot Cocoa kit from M2 Confections.
+ Free round of golf with cart included for up to 4 players at either Walnut Creek Golf Preserve or Legacy Ridge Golf Course
+ One month free pass to all Westminster recreation centers
- 2nd Place: Free round of golf with cart included for up to 4 players at either Walnut Creek Golf Preserve or Legacy Ridge Golf Course
+ One month free pass to all Westminster recreation centers
- 3rd Place: One month free pass to all Westminster recreation centers
Our winners will be emailed directly about picking up their prize packages. Thank you to all our participants, and we look forward to seeing your entries in the next Leave No Trace photo contest!
If you want to know what makes Westminster special, you don’t have to look far. A visit to one of the city’s 64 parks will help paint the picture. A walk through one of the city’s thousands of acres of open space can help open your eyes. A bike ride down one of the city’s 125 miles of trail will make it clear. Our community is special because of the close relationship with nature we experience every day in our own backyard.
Recognizing the value of this privileged Colorado lifestyle, the City of Westminster is taking the necessary steps to preserve these natural resources for future generations of Westminster residents. To solidify our dedication to this mission, the City joined the Leave No Trace program in 2023 to prioritize protecting public land and encourage widespread participation. To learn more about Leave No Trace and the seven guiding principles visit www.LNT.org.