Mike Rosser, a longtime civic activist and an outgoing member of the Arapahoe County Open Space Trails Advisory Board, has received the county’s first Distinguished Citizen Award.

County Commissioner Rod Bockenfeld, chair of the board of commissioners, made the announcement at the board’s Feb. 16 meeting. The east Centennial commissioner said the award was created specifically to honor Rosser’s years of service.

“[Rosser] has spent countless hours serving the county,” Bockenfeld said. “… He is someone the board has come to know and depend on. Many describe [Rosser] as a tireless advocate for investing in the county and making it a better place for generations to come.”

Rosser’s name will be the first to be placed on plaque that will honor all future recipients of the award. The plaque will be on permanent display on the “Trail of Honor” at Arapahoe County Community Park.

“This honor will serve as a reminder to residents about the impact one single person can have when they decide to make a difference with their local government,” Bockenfeld said.

According to Bockenfeld, Rosser, an Aurora resident, has been symbolic of citizen-led initiatives to preserve open space in the county.

In 2003, he was a leader on the Yes on 1A Committee, which advocated for the voter-approved sales-and-use tax that has been instrumental in the county’s preservation efforts.

“This person has served as one of the pioneers in establishing a dedicated revenue source that creates the newest and most dynamic open-space program in Colorado,” Bockenfeld said.

Among other civic roles, Rosser has served on the Trust for Public Lands and the Colorado Land Use Commission.

Rosser thanked the elected commissioners for their help over the years.

“[The county is] moving forward,” he said. “We have something we can really be proud of. We really have a legacy.”