In 2018, Tyler was honored as a “Champion of Livability” and given the John Parr Award by Partners for Livable Communities. This award honors the leaders that shape a livable, sustainable and equitable America. The award was presented at the National Press Club in Washington DC on 11/12/18.

In 2015, Tyler was recognized as a "Community Healer" in his adopted hometown of Oakland, California. Reflections of Healing  at the Oakland Museum featured prominent Oakland-based residents who, through their groundbreaking work, are considered healers in our community. The work captures the healers during their adolescence, focusing our thoughts to the collective potential of youth.

In 1995, Tyler was selected as a Kellogg National Fellow (WK Kellogg Foundation.) Kellogg Fellows are leaders from around the world committed to positive change and giving back to their communities.

In 1991, Step Denver, was named Point of Light #540 by US President George H.W. Bush.

In 1985, Tyler was invited by US President Ronald Reagan to the White House both to honor his work in Denver on homelessness and substance use, and contribute strategy for the McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act (1987) that allocated funding to the direct service of those experiencing homelessness.

In the mid 1980’s, Tyler was awarded the prestigious “Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award” for his service to downtown Denver. Minoru Yasui was most well-known for his courageous stand against military orders that resulted in the forced removal and imprisonment of over 110,000 persons of Japanese ancestry during World War II, but his entire life was committed to the defense of human and civil rights, and justice for all.