LIBERTARIAN PARTY of Colorado
"Limited Government - Individual Liberty - Personal Responsibility"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 22, 2001

CONTACT: Kent McNaughton, Public Information Director
PHONE: (719) 686-0676
CELL: (719) 641-6269
EMAIL: kentm1@mindspring.com
WEB: http://www.LPColorado.org

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Colorado Libertarians honor the "Libertarian of the Year"

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Libertarian Party of Colorado is pleased to announce this year's winner of the Ptak Award, The Ptak Award honors the person who has done the most for liberty in Colorado as "Libertarian of the Year." It is named after the first recipient, Judd Ptak, who was instrumental several years ago in bringing about the Minor Party Law.

The awards dinner was held at Embassy Suites in Colorado Springs on Saturday, October 21st, featuring John Ross, author of the novel "Unintended Consequences," as speaker.

The 2001 Ptak Award went to David Bryant, longtime party activist and a tireless behind-the-scenes worker, sage counselor and one of the "institutional memories" of the state party. David is credited with many things besides "always being there when things need to be done." From his patient and wise advice to the board of directors, to the grunt work of moving the party's offices, to keeping information flowing within the party, and working for its candidates, David provides the glue to help hold the movement together, and energy to help keep it moving forward. As he quite recently said of someone else, "He's solid, and he's quiet, and we'd really miss him if he weren't there."

Ptak Honors -- honorable mention awards -- went to three people.

U.S. Senate candidate Rick Stanley, of Denver, was honored for reviving a dormant Denver Metro affiliate, giving it a home, contributing office space for the state party, and for his tireless work in attracting new members -- along with running a spirited and dynamic U.S. Senate seat race.

Carl Rite, Membership Director of the new Montrose affiliate, earned his award through his unceasing efforts to "let the business-owners decide their own smoking policies." Carl and his card table were fixtures outside the local courthouse for three weeks, until he gathered nearly five hundred signatures, enough to put this pro-property rights measure on the Montrose November ballot.

Tom Parker, "The Quiet Man" from Louisville, received his award for many efforts on behalf of the Party of Principle. During the last general election Tom put up candidate web pages and maintained that web site. He contributes to the Colorado Liberty and to the state party's website, lpcolorado.org. He is also the Boulder affiliate's Membership Director.