Niki Delson’s dedication and impact on Carbondale exemplify the spirit of community engagement, making her deserving of AARP’s top state-level honor — the Andrus Award for Community Service. Her story reminds us of the significant contributions that can be made when individuals take action to uplift those around them.
Lauded as “AARP’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award,” the Andrus was presented to Delson by Debbie Horner, AARP Colorado director of volunteers, at Tuesday night’s Board of Trustees meeting in Carbondale.
The Sopris Sun spoke with Delson around Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year celebration. “I read last night that every one of us has a handprint in the world. Every one of us leaves a handprint. I like that,” she said, referring to her lifelong commitment to community service and engagement.
As a long-time community advocate in Carbondale, she has been recognized for her significant contributions to the town’s Age-Friendly initiative. Delson was informed of her award shortly before AARP’s ceremony in Denver on Sept. 19.
Unable to attend the ceremony due to a previously scheduled trip to California, she created a video message in her absence, in which she expressed her deep honor to be chosen for Colorado.
Growing up in the Bronx, Delson reflected on the early experiences that shaped her values. “I remember riding in a car with my mom on garbage collection day. She would see a perfectly good carpet and say, ‘Remind me to come back and pick this up,’ knowing who in the neighborhood might need it,” she recalled. “It was about showing up in the world and making things better.”
Delson and her husband, Ron Kokish, have become pillars in the Carbondale community. After spending 37 years on the coast of Northern California, “with beautiful Redwoods in our backyard,” they moved to New Castle for two years and to Carbondale in 2009.
Delson has been instrumental in shaping the Age-Friendly Carbondale initiative, which aims to enhance the quality of life for older adults and, in turn, all community members. In a follow-up recognition event hosted in Carbondale, she noted, “The recognition is somewhat awkward for me, as it feels like accepting an honor for simply being myself.” Delson credits her upbringing: “The ethics and values I grew up with always centered on how you can repair the world.”
A proponent of community engagement, Delson is passionate about the idea that older adults are resources rather than burdens. “We have changed the narrative in Carbondale to say that older adults are not taking resources; we are the resources,” she asserted.
This shift in perspective has been a focal point of her work with Age-Friendly Carbondale, which has seen impressive growth in the six years since its inception. “We’ve done pretty remarkable things, given that our average age is about 75,” she remarked.
She credits Carbondale’s former Mayor, Dan Richardson, and former Planning Director, Janet Buck, for welcoming community input from the Age-Friendly group. “They said, ‘Sure, we’ll listen to you. Please show us what you’ve got,’” Delson recalled.
Delson emphasizes the importance of being proactive rather than reactive. “We don’t believe in uncommitted complaining. If you want to complain, go on Facebook. But if you want to change how things are, show up,” she said, encapsulating her activist ethos.
“It’s been a great journey. I’ve enjoyed it, and I’ve still got more energy. So I’m not saying goodbye, but when the time comes to say goodbye, that’ll be okay, too.”
With her characteristic humor, she concluded, “It’s been a great ride. I live equidistant from Heritage Park Care Center and the cemetery, whichever comes first.”