NOTE: Nominations for 2025 individual awards are now closed.

The Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is seeking nominations for its 2025 individual awards to outstanding Colorado journalists who exemplify the highest standards of professional excellence. 

Nominations for Journalist of the Year, First Amendment Award, Keeper of the Flame and Educator of the Year can be submitted online by 10 p.m. Saturday, March 1.

Nominees should meet the following criteria: 

Journalist(s) of the Year: A journalist or journalists who produced extraordinary work in the last calendar year, embodying the SPJ Code of Ethics to seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently and be accountable and transparent. 

Keeper of the Flame: A lifetime achievement award recognizing a longtime journalist, their contributions to the profession and for leading and mentoring young journalists. This journalist has displayed extraordinary dedication to ethical, responsible journalism and professional integrity.

Educator of the Year: This award is given annually to recognize the outstanding work of an educator at a Colorado school or college.

First Amendment Award: This award recognizes journalists who embody the exercise of a free and fair press and go above and beyond to hold governments accountable and speak truth to power. 

Awards will be announced at the SPJ Top of the Rockies awards reception on April 5, 2025 at 5:30 to 9 p.m., to be held following the SPJ Region 9 Conference at The Slate Hotel in downtown Denver. You’ll need a free ticket to attend the awards reception. CLICK HERE to obtain a ticket. Note that you’ll need a separate (free) ticket to attend the awards reception, even if you buy a conference ticket.

Click here for more on the 2024 individual award winners.