The Colorado Nurses Foundation’s vision is that nursing is recognized for its leadership role in creating a sustainable health care system for Colorado. The foundation is devoted to creating excellence through the promotion of educational and scientific activities and community-based projects. Contributions, fundraising, activities and grants are used to support CNF activities.

The southwest has the opportunity to recognize RNs and LPNs through the coveted Excellence in Nursing Awards (formerly Nightingale Awards). There are sixteen categories in which nurses can be nominated by a colleague, including long-term care, community care, education, acute care, administration, quality, nurse-led teams, and more. Each region of the state has a committee that plans a regional recognition event in April each year. Winners advance to the State Gala in May of each year in Denver, which supports nursing scholarships across the state.

The southwest region (counties of Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, Montezuma, La Plata, Hinsdale, Archuleta, San Juan) is revamping our recognition event for our own nurses who will be honored at an event in Durango on April 14th, 2026, and Luminary winners will advance to the state event May 16th, 2026.