ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- On Sunday, Broncos Owner and CEO Pat Bowlen received a game ball after the franchise's first win in Baltimore against the Ravens.
On Tuesday, he received another honor -- this one for recognizing his philanthropic leadership throughout the state of Colorado.
The Mizel Institute is honoring Bowlen with its 2013 Community Enrichment Award.
"This year we pay tribute to a genuine leader in the sports industry and our community," said Larry Mizel, founder of the Mizel Institute. "Pat Bowlen has contributed substantially to enriching the lives of Coloradans along with football enthusiasts around the world. It is appropriate that we honor him for his profound and longstanding devotion to our community."
The award is given annually to an individual who makes oustanding contributions to Denver communities.
Bowlen, owner of the Broncos since 1984, is being recognized for a number of initiatives, not the least of which is Denver Broncos Charities, which has donated more than $25 million to charitable organizations in Denver and surrounding areas since the inception of the fund in 1993. Bowlen is the chairman of the board.
He has also served as the Honorary Chairman of the Colorado Special Olympics for the past 19 years and as Honorary Chairman of the Stadium Stampede (formerly the Colorado Family Classic) benefitting St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation for 28 years. Other organizations benefiting from Bowlen's leadership and participation include the University of Denver, Capuchin Friars, University of Northern Colorado, Rose Medical Center, American Ireland Fund, Irish Community Center, Hawaii Maritime Center, Alberta Bar Association, Law Society of Alberta and the Young Presidents' Organization.
He was elected to the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 1987 and is currently a member of the DU Athletic Affairs Committee. Previously, he served on the Institutional Advancement Committee and the Institutional Advancement/University Relations subcommittee.
Under Bowlen's leadership, the Broncos have partnered with and supported a variety of causes throughout the community, including Bonfils Blood Center, the NFL's Play 60 program, the Inner City Health Center, HealthONE's Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, Food Bank of the Rockies, the Denver Metropolitan chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Denver Rescue Mission, the American Heart Association, Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver, Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, The United Way and Denver Public School Athletics.
Bowlen joins notable past recipients including Governor John Hickenlooper, Glenn R. Jones, Sharon Magness Blake, W. Dean Singleton, Norman Brownstein and Anna and John J. Sie.
"Previous honorees have been remarkable individuals — distinctive in their accomplishments — professionally, civically and philanthropically," Mizel said.
The Mizel Institute is now in its 31st year as a nationally recognized institution comprised of two distinct programs -- the Mizel Museum of Jewish art, culture and history, and the Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab.
The Mizel Institute's Annual Gala Dinner, where Bowlen will receive his award, takes place at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum at 6 p.m. on May 22, 2013.
More information can be found at MizelInstitute.org.
