Local Entrepreneurs Honored at Legacy of the Peak Small Business Awards
By: Nicole Jomantas
(Colorado Springs, CO) – The Legacy of the Peak Small Business Awards, held at COS City Hub on Monday evening, kicked off Small Business Week by honoring some of the boldest and brightest entrepreneurs and businesses in Southern Colorado.
This prestigious event, supported by presenting sponsor U.S. Bank, celebrated individuals and companies that have demonstrated outstanding achievement, innovation, and commitment to the region’s growth and success.
Hosted by the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado, and Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center, the awards ceremony brought together hundreds of community leaders to recognize small businesses that define excellence, innovation, and impact.
Awards were presented to the following winners:
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Chantel Lucas – Luchals
- Family-Owned Small Business of the Year: Ed Green Construction – Josh Green
- Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year: Infinity Technology Services (ITS) –Hassan Campbell
- Small Business Champion of the Year: Rocio Scott – U.S. Bank
- Small Business Person of the Year: Donavan Kennedy – Hillside Gardens
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, himself a former small business owner, participated in the ceremony where he recognized the dedication of the small business community in the Pikes Peak region.
“To every small business owner in the room, I see you and I thank you for taking those risks and creating opportunities and helping to make Colorado Springs an economically prosperous and vibrant world-class American city on the hill that shines brightly,” said Mobolade who signed a proclamation on stage declaring May 4-10 as Small Business Week in Colorado Springs.
Details on the award winners are as follows:
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Chantel Lucas – Luchals
Given to an entrepreneur age 35 or younger, this award recognizes an individual who demonstrates innovativeness, commitment to the community and potential for long-term business success.
Founded by Chef Chantal Lucas and her husband Travares, Luchals is a family-owned restaurant that redefines Southern comfort food with a gourmet twist. Lucas’ culinary journey began in the Army, where she honed her skills before earning a degree from the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. Luchal’s offers a variety of gluten-free options, including Southern-inspired seafood, and is deeply committed to the community, delivering flavorful, heartfelt meals that bring people together.
“We are so grateful and we are blessed to have a community like this. I am a girl from South Central LA. I am from Compton, CA. I don’t know nothing about Colorado … [but] this is where my home is now,” Lucas said. “And I am so blessed to be able to serve everyone – my gluten free community … my soldiers, everyone in the community.”
Family-Owned Small Business of the Year: Ed Green Construction – Josh Green
This award honors a multi-generational, family-owned business with at least a 10-year track record, demonstrating commitment to the community, prioritizing family values, and showing strong potential for long-term success.
Founded in 1951, Ed Green Construction has been a cornerstone of Southern Colorado’s construction industry for more than 70 years. Specializing in commercial projects, the company has built hospitals, schools, churches, and corporate headquarters, always prioritizing quality and integrity. Now under the fourth-generation leadership of Josh Green, who serves as the current owner and president, the company remains committed to both excellence in construction and giving back to the community.
Josh Green took the stage to accept the award and thanked the past and current generations of his family as well as his staff for all of the work they put into making the business successful.
“I’d like to start off and thank my father, my grandfather, Edward, my great grandfather… Thank you all. I appreciate this,” Green said. “I’d like to thank my wife. I’d like to thank Cory Hurd, Rebekah Combs. Without them, this wouldn’t have been possible.”
Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year: Infinity Technology Services (ITS) –Hassan Campbell
This award honors a U.S. Armed Forces veteran who has owned and operated a business for at least two years, demonstrating community commitment, supporting other veteran-owned businesses, integrating their military experience into their business model, and showing potential for long-term success.
Led by President Hassan Campbell, Infinity Technology Services, LLC was founded in Colorado Springs in 2017. Specializing in cybersecurity, space systems, and engineering services, ITS supports both government and commercial sectors. With a focus on innovation, precision, and mission success, ITS plays a crucial role in advancing national security and driving progress in the aerospace industry through strong leadership, strategic vision, and a dedicated team committed to excellence.
“I came to Colorado Springs in 1997 to go to the Air Force Academy and, after my service, I thought no better way to give back to the veteran community than to create an environment that really values the commitment and sacrifice they’ve made by providing them an opportunity to transition and utilize the skills that they’ve learned,” Campbell said. “At ITS, 76% of our employees are veterans and that’s something that we’re going to continue.”
Small Business Champion of the Year: Rocio Scott – U.S. Bank
Honoring an individual who has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of small business opportunities, this award is given to an individual who dedicates time and effort to advocating for, promoting, and serving small businesses.
A dedicated advocate for local entrepreneurs, Rocio Scott exemplifies U.S. Bank’s longstanding commitment to helping individuals, families, and businesses thrive. Through access to capital, financial guidance, and meaningful community investment, U.S. Bank plays a vital role in driving economic growth across Southern Colorado.
“As a business specialist, working day by day with small businesses, I see the tears and the struggle and the challenges that every small business faces and I’m very privileged to stand here in representation of their business,” Scott said. “I don’t think we could be standing here without the collaboration we have in this town … We need to continue providing education, continue helping to assist with any resources we can find for [small businesses].”
Small Business Person of the Year: Donavan Kennedy – Hillside Gardens
The evening’s top honor recognizes a business owner or team with at least three years in operation who exemplifies entrepreneurial excellence—marked by strong financial growth, employee expansion, resilience, innovation, and meaningful community impact.
Donavan Kennedy, co-owner of Hillside Gardens with his sister Ashlee, has transformed the historic property into a vibrant community hub in the Hillside neighborhood of Colorado Springs. Since purchasing it in 2021, he’s expanded the venue beyond weddings and events to include a new garden center, coffee bar, and gift shop—all while preserving its charm. His leadership has made Hillside Gardens a go-to spot for locals, especially during the beloved Summer Concert Series, offering a unique space to gather and enjoy local talent.
“I’m a Springs kid. I grew up in the north side of the Springs and, back to circling back to the legacy of the Pikes Peak region, my sister and I bought Hillside four years ago and we want to leave a legacy,” Kennedy said. “We want to make the city better. We want to leave it prettier. We want to leave it with more culture.”
Visit https://coloradospringschamberedc.com/sbw/ to learn more about Small Business Week and register for events.