Grand Junction, CO – Two local leaders, Becky Hobart, CEO of Ariel Clinical Services, and Colorado House District 55 Rep. Rick Taggart, recently received statewide recognition for their dedication to Coloradans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The Alliance, a leading IDD advocacy organization, presented Hobart with its highest honor, the Jane Covode Award, and named Taggart the 2026 Alliance Legislator of the Year. Both awards were presented on September 1 during Alliance's annual summit in Breckenridge.
Becky Hobart was recognized with the Jane Covode Award for a distinguished career focused on improving the lives of children, families, and individuals with IDD, according to Alliance. The organization stated that Hobart has led Ariel Clinical Services with “compassion, innovation, and a strong commitment to advocacy,” identifying unmet community needs and developing services to address them. Alliance specifically credited Hobart for expanding Ariel’s mission in 2005 to include support for individuals with IDD, after she identified a local need for systems that empower individuals to stay connected to their families and communities. Hobart's service has also extended to regional and statewide boards, commissions, and committees, including Alliance and the Governor’s Child Welfare Action Committee, which Alliance highlighted as strengthening human services and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Upon receiving the award, Hobart stated it was “a great honor to receive this recognition” and to be part of the community and work. This award adds to Hobart’s previous accolades, which include the 2024 Western Slope Woman of Distinction award from Girl Scouts of Colorado and Rocky Mountain Health Plans’ 2022 Dr. Bruce Wilson Memorial Award.
Ariel Clinical Services was established in Grand Junction in 1994 to serve high-needs foster youth. Under Hobart’s leadership, it now offers a range of services, including an adult residential program, day programming, vocational support, and therapy for individuals with IDD. The organization’s reach has grown to include service areas such as Delta, Montrose, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and parts of the Denver metro area.
Rep. Rick Taggart received the 2026 Alliance Legislator of the Year award for his efforts to preserve Medicaid IDD funding, despite significant state budget challenges and rising Medicaid costs. Alliance noted Taggart's “steadfast commitment” to Colorado’s IDD community. Hobart, who presented the award to Taggart, praised him as “a strong advocate and compassionate leader on the Joint Budget Committee” and “a driving force in finding caring, cost-effective solutions for this vulnerable group.” Taggart stated on LinkedIn that he remains “committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities have access to services.” This award is one of several recent honors for Taggart's legislative work, including the Firefly Autism Advocacy Award, the Colorado Common Sense Institute 2026 Visionary for the Future Award, multiple first-place rankings on Healthier Colorado’s 2026 Legislative Scorecard, and the Colorado Economic Development Council’s Lifetime Legislator Achievement Award.
The Jane Covode Award, named for Alliance's founding director, is the organization’s highest recognition and “is not necessarily presented every year,” according to a press release from Alliance. This highlights the significance of Hobart's achievement. Both Hobart and Taggart were recognized by Alliance for embodying integrity, passion, and a sustained commitment to Coloradans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
