Raise your glasses: Hotel Colorado bartender Ashley Efraim has been recognized as the Best Frontline Tourism Worker for the great west region.

Efraim, also named Best Bartender for this year’s Post Independent locals’ choice awards, was presented the statewide recognition at the Colorado Tourism Conference in Fort Collins in September, a news release from Hotel Colorado states.

The Colorado Tourism Office recognizes Colorado frontline workers for their tireless efforts in ensuring memorable and amazing hospitality. Efraim not only qualified for those standards, but exceeded them by winning, the news release states. 

Efraim was born in Pretoria, South Africa and moved to Glenwood Springs during the COVID-19 pandemic. She previously worked on cruise ships for eight years, the news release states. 

She became Glenwood’s favorite bartender while working at the Hotel Colorado. Her passion for making people happy and her ability to make friends with any stranger comes from her extensive travel experience. She makes entire rooms full of patrons feel cared for and comfortable with a genuine smile and lovable personality.

Her coworkers had wonderful things to say about her.

“Her energy level and joy are contagious to all who are around her. From her silly dance moves to her outrageous earrings, her big personality shines,” Human Resources Director Angie Apostolik said in the release.

“Her service skills are exemplary, and her character is one to be admired. Any business would be lucky to have her on their team!” Keefer said in the release.

“Her people skills are top notch, she is always starting friendly conversations with her guests and goes above and beyond, to offering them top notch hospitality along with hand crafted amazing cocktails,” Haga said in the release.

Hotel Colorado Marketing Director Taylor Thulson agreed.

“She is not only an exceptional bartender, constantly honing her craft to make unique cocktails for our guests, but she also leaves an impression on every person she interacts with,” Thulson said in the release.

Efraim had this to say about how she feels for winning these awards. 

“Absolutely on top of the world. I feel so honored that I get to represent our beautiful region. I definitely think it shows that, when you’re treated right at work, great things come from it,” she told the Post Independent “Hotel Colorado has done nothing but take fantastic care of me ever since I’ve started that, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I won’t lie though, I never saw any of this coming. The bartender of the year award, the Frontline tourism award, none of it. I’m just in complete awe, still don’t really know how to comprehend it. 

“I do know though that I am so happy to represent the hotel in such a glorious way and I look forward to keeping on making them proud. I couldn’t be happier with the situation I am in and I look forward to what the future holds!”