Colorado Music Hall of Fame Celebrates its 15th Anniversary with New Programming, Awards and a Party

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DENVER, CO (February 19, 2026): This year will be a momentous one for Colorado Music Hall of Fame (The Hall), which is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a powerful lineup of noteworthy events and updates. The Hall expands its annual recognition categories with the inaugural Community Impact Awards on April 8, and celebrates 15 years of amplifying Colorado music at an anniversary fundraiser on April 19 at Pasta Jay’s in Boulder, CO.

Since its founding in 2011, The Hall has made a significant impact on Colorado’s music scene. Its accomplishments include bringing the community together for the unforgettable inductions of over 60 iconic musicians, music businesses, and industry champions (listed below). The Hall has also actively supported Colorado’s music community by providing thousands of dollars for mental health and addiction recovery counseling services through its Keep The Beat program.

Community members, music supporters, and tourists alike have learned about Colorado’s music history through the artifacts and stories shared in The Hall’s exhibits, reaching people at its former locations – the 1STBANK Center, Red Rocks Trading Post, and Denver International Airport – and now at the Colorado Convention Center. And recently, The Hall convened music, tourism, and civic leaders to develop the Colorado Music Tourism Strategy, a statewide effort to strengthen the music community and brand Colorado as a premier music destination.

“While one of The Hall’s goals has been documenting the history of Colorado music, it also recognizes the importance of promoting the industry and strategizing for the next 15 years,” says Colorado Music Hall of Fame board co-chair and co-founder Scott Tobias. “Music is key for driving Colorado’s economy and maintaining our dynamic, creative image around the world.”

Since 2011, The Hall has inducted Colorado’s superstars- musicians, music industry professionals, venues, and organizations- that have changed the music landscape not just in Colorado but also on the national/international ‘stage.’ Now, in recognition of this changing world, The Hall is reimagining its induction and awards structure, adding two nomination categories.

The Honorary Coloradan category expands the traditional Colorado Music Hall of Fame induction to recognize musicians outside of the state whose work has had a significant, profound, and lasting impact on Colorado’s music culture. The Community Impact Award will honor local musicians, bands, music educators, venues, businesses, and organizations that have significantly influenced this state’s music scene.

The Hall accepts nominations from the public, now available for all three categories, at https://cmhof.org/nominate/. The Hall’s board of directors reviews nominations of individuals, businesses, and organizations across the state when making its annual selections.

“Music fans are a key contributor to our music ecosystem. We need people to be the eyes, and especially the ears, around Colorado in helping us to recognize the heroes of our statewide music community,” says Karen Radman, executive director of Colorado Music Hall of Fame.

On April 8, The Hall will kick off its fifteenth year with the inaugural C held at the Colorado Music Hall of Fame exhibit located in the Colorado Convention Center. This historic event will honor Friends in the Business, the incredible retail businesses that have impacted and shaped this state’s music scene. Tickets for the awards event are $20 at www.cmhof.org/events/inaugural-community-impact-awards.

The inaugural awardees are:

René Heredia — This acclaimed flamenco guitarist has been a driving force in preserving and elevating flamenco music in Colorado for 53 years. His significant and lasting legacy is rooted in his leadership, performance, and educational efforts at the Flamenco Center for Guitar and Dance. He created a vibrant, immersive home and community where flamenco artists and audiences could hone their craft and experience the art form’s profound passion.
Kolacny Music — This cherished, family-run enterprise was a cornerstone of the Colorado music scene for 93 years. Specializing in instrument repair, sales, and rentals, the store served generations of Colorado musicians, from aspiring students in school bands and orchestras to professional performers. The business was a true legacy, operated with dedication across three generations of the Kolacny family until they closed their doors in 2023.
ListenUp — Founded in 1972, ListenUp became a leader in high-quality audio equipment and live sound, and even introduced digital audio to Colorado audiences. ListenUp engineered advanced systems for iconic Colorado venues like Ebbets Field, the Boulder Theater, and the Rainbow Music Hall, producing live radio shows now in their archives. Today, ListenUp is one of the nation’s most enduring electronics retailers– whether in a venue, on the air, or in the home.
Bob Rupp — When drummer Bob Rupp founded Rupp’s Drums in 1984, he didn’t just open a music store; he built a space for Colorado’s percussion community. For decades, Rupp’s Drums was the go-to for drummers across the state. He championed musicians, backed major music events, and created a gathering place for legends and beginners. Though the shop closed its doors in 2025, its impact still echoes across stages throughout Colorado.
Twist & Shout Records and founder Paul Epstein — Founded in 1988 by Colorado Music Hall of Fame co-chair Paul Epstein and his wife Jill, Twist & Shout grew from a small record shop into a celebrated Denver music hub. It is revered for its expansive music selection and its iconic, exciting in-store performances featuring high-profile artists. Epstein sold the store to long-time manager Patrick Brown in 2022, and it continues to thrive as a beloved and vibrant cornerstone for Colorado’s music community.

The Hall will continue the celebration with a 15th Anniversary Party on Sunday, April 19, at Pasta Jay’s in Boulder, hosted by Hall of Fame boardmember (Pasta) Jay Elowsky. Harking back to The Hall’s Inaugural Fundraiser at Pasta Jay’s back in 2011, the afternoon will consist of intimate live performances from Hall of Famers Chris Daniels, Freddi Gowdy, Hazel Miller, Bill and Jilian Nershi, and Kenny Passarelli; a three-course Italian dinner paired with beverages; and exciting opportunities to win cool prizes. The event will be emceed by KBCO’s Bret Saunders, another Hall of Fame inductee. The celebration is open to the public; tickets are $100-$200. Visit www.cmhof.org/events/15th-anniversary-party/ for tickets and more information. 100% of proceeds directly support The Hall’s mission to celebrate, promote, and support Colorado’s music community.

2015 Colorado Music Hall of Fame Induction, credit Bob Sanderson

About Colorado Music Hall of Fame (The Hall)

Founded in 2011, The Hall is a nonprofit with a mission to celebrate, promote, and support Colorado’s music community:

Celebrating Colorado music by inducting our state’s music heroes, hosting music events, and sharing music history digitally and through our exhibit located in the Colorado Convention Center; promoting Colorado as a music destination; and supporting local musicians and industry professionals with financial assistance and resources for mental health and addiction through its Keep The Beat mental wellness program.

Over 60 musicians, music industry professionals, venues, and music organizations have been inducted into The Hall to date:

2011: Inaugural Class: John Denver, Red Rocks Amphitheatre
2012: Setting the Stage: Barry Fey, Harry Tuft
2012: Rockin’ the ‘60s: The Astronauts, Flash Cadillac, KIMN Radio, Sugarloaf
2013: Colorado’s Folk Revival: Judy Collins, Chris Daniels, Bob Lind, Serendipity Singers
2014: Country Rock in the Rockies: Firefall, Manassas w/Stephen Stills, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Poco
2016: 20th Century Pioneers: Lannie Garrett, Glenn Miller, Max Morath, Billy Murray, Elizabeth Spencer, Paul Whiteman
2017: Rocky Mountain Way: Caribou Ranch, Dan Fogelberg, Bill Szymczyk, Joe Walsh & Barnstorm
2017: Jazz Masters & Beyond: Philip Bailey, Charles Burrell, Larry Dunn, Bill Frisell, Ron Miles, Dianne Reeves, Andrew Woolfolk
2018: Live & On the Air: John Hickenlooper, KBCO, Chuck Morris
2019: Old Folk, New Folk: Walt Conley, Mother Folkers, Swallow Hill Music, Dick Weissman
2019: Going Back to Colorado: Tommy Bolin, Freddi & Henchi, Wendy Kale, Tony Spicola, Otis Taylor, Zephyr
2021: A Virtual Induction: eTown
2021: The Flatirons Sessions: The Fox Theatre, Hot Rize, Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident, Yonder Mountain String Band
2023: Big Head Todd and The Monsters, Hazel Miller, George Morrison, Sr.
2024: Opera in the High Country: Central City Opera, Cynthia Lawrence, Keith Miller, John Moriarty
2024: Mile High Jazz Oasis: El Chapultepec & Jerry Krantz, Greg Gisbert, Eric Gunnison, KUVO & Carlos Lando, Ellyn Rucker, Ken Walker
2025: Jazz Aspen Snowmass & Jim Horowitz; Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats