Basalt Midland Streetscape project nabs state recognition

A major infrastructure project in Basalt received a prestigious state recognition last week.

Basalt’s Midland Streetscape project, a massive overhaul of Midland Avenue started in 2023 that includes new utilities, pavement, sidewalks, and more, won the 2025 Downtown Colorado Excellence Award for Best Place Small Community on Thursday, April 3.

Basalt was one of 12 Colorado communities — small and big — to win the award, which has been given out by Denver-based nonprofit Downtown Colorado, Inc. for the past 22 years. The award recognizes projects throughout the state that demonstrate creativity in the face of challenges, exhibit innovation, produce positive impacts on their communities, and display a commitment to advancing downtown initiatives within their local communities.

“It’s an honor to be recognized with this statewide award,” Basalt Planning Director Michelle Bonfils Thibeault said in a news release. “Our team delivered a thoughtful project that was the result of an engaged community and it’s a joy to see vibrancy and accessibility downtown and have confidence in updated infrastructure in historic Basalt.”

Being honored with a Colorado Downtown Excellence Award enhances a community’s reputation and opens doors to new opportunities, according to the release. 

“It serves as a testament to the winners’ hard work, dedication, and talent, positioning them as leaders and influencers in Colorado’s downtown and commercial district community,” the release states.