The first annual Kent Smith Civic Engagement Award will be presented on Monday, March 16, at 11 a.m. in the Town Hall Board Room. There will be a reception at 10:30 a.m. prior to the presentation.
The award was established by Smith’s widow of 59 years, Judi Smith, and their family following his death on May 19, 2025. He was 78. The award will be given annually to an individual who has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to civic engagement in the Estes Valley.
The word “civics” is derived from the Latin word “civis,” meaning “citizen.” The term “civics” refers to the study of the rights and responsibilities of citizens, particularly in the context of government and civic participation.
Smith exemplified civic participation. Since the early 1970s, he and his wife made their home in Estes Park, where they raised their two daughters. A sixth-generation sign maker, Smith owned Smith Sign Studio, the family business that his father founded in 1928. His craftsmanship is visible throughout the community in the hundreds of signs created for local businesses and organizations.
Smith graduated from Colorado State College with a degree in historical research and began his career in education, teaching history, civics, economics, and driver education in Grover, Colo. He later served briefly as the town’s superintendent of schools and also taught at the University of Northern Colorado.
Known for his deep interest in civic affairs, Smith was a frequent citizen observer at town board meetings and was widely respected for the thoughtful and civil manner he brought to both his business and community involvement.
He was active with Mountain Strong for Nonprofits, a committee formed after the 2013 Lawn Lake Flood to help raise funds for recovery efforts. Smith was also a founding board member of the Estes Chamber of Commerce, where he served on the executive committee. In addition, he served on the board of the Economic Development Corporation and participated in the long-range planning committee, exploring the future of the Estes Park School District.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony and celebrate Smith’s life and lasting legacy of civic engagement in the Estes Park community that he called home.