The Society of Professional Journalists Colorado Pro Chapter is announcing recipients of its annual individual awards for excellence in journalism.

The awards – determined by the chapter’s board – will be presented April 5, 2025, at a reception following the conclusion of the four-state 2025 SPJ Region 9 Conference: Fundamentals and the Future at The Slate Hotel in Denver. The reception is open to all, but a free ticket is required. Details below.

The honorees:

KEEPER OF THE FLAME: Michelle P. Fulcher

Fulcher’s long career in Colorado journalism has encompassed newspapers, education and broadcasting. Most recently she was senior producer of the “Colorado Matters” interview program at Colorado Public Radio. Previously she was an editor and reporter at The Denver Post for 18 years, and was a journalism instructor, publications advisor and communications manager at the University of Colorado Boulder. At the Post she shared a staff Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the Columbine High School massacre. She also was a reporter at the Colorado Springs Gazette and was named Reporter of the Year by the Colorado Springs Press Association.

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

JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR: Sam Tabachnik

As a reporter at The Denver Post for the last 6-1/2 years, Tabachnik’s work has ranged from deep investigations that have taken him to Southeast Asia to quirky stories that defy categorization. In 2024 his series on worker abuses in Colorado’s agriculture industry exposed systemic wage theft, unsafe working conditions and the exploitation of vulnerable laborers. His investigation into the Pueblo municipal court system revealed unconstitutional practices that led to unfair jail sentences. And his reporting on the Denver Art Museum’s possession of contested Indigenous artifacts brought national scrutiny to the institution’s reluctance to repatriate cultural items.

The Journalist of the Year award recognizes extraordinary work in the previous calendar year, embodying the SPJ Code of Ethics in seeking and reporting truth, minimizing harm, acting independently and being accountable and transparent. 

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR (two honorees): Doug Bell and Derigan A. Silver

Bell, a veteran journalist, is a teacher in many classrooms. After more than 30 years as an adjunct college instructor, he now teaches everywhere. In his role as SPJ Colorado’s co-president and education chair, Bell networks with journalism schools across Colorado and mentors student journalists entering the job market. He also is a guest speaker at high school and college classes. Bell also administers the chapter’s scholarship program, which each year distributes thousands of dollars to the truthtellers of tomorrow.

Silver is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies at the University of Denver. He is known for holding students to a high standard and ensuring they leave his class prepared for the real-world challenges of journalism. His former students have gone on to work at The Wall Street Journal, The Denver Gazette and The Denver Post, among others. As chair, Silver not only mentors students, but also his professional colleagues in the department, helping to shape the future of journalism education at DU.

Educator of the Year is awarded annually to recognize the outstanding work of educators at Colorado schools and colleges.

FIRST AMENDMENT AWARD: Rachael Johnson

Johnson is senior staff attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in Colorado, leading the organization’s pro bono legal work in the state as part of its Local Legal Initiative, which provides local news organizations with the legal services they need to defend their rights to gather and report the news, gain access to public records and court proceedings, and hold government agencies and officials accountable. She also is an adjunct professor of media law at the University of Denver, where she received her law degree. She is a native Coloradan, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism, and has worked as a reporter, editor and producer for various newsrooms.

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

MORE INFORMATION ON THE AWARDS

The awards will be presented at the April 5 awards reception along with SPJ’s Top of the Rockies honors for journalistic excellence in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico.

The reception will run from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at The Slate Hotel, 1250 Welton St., Denver, CO 80204. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served, and there will be a cash-only bar. (No credit or debit cards or payment apps accepted.)

Admission is free, but you’ll need a ticket to attend, even if you are registered for the SPJ regional conference earlier in the day. CLICK HERE to order tickets.

The daylong regional conference will feature a full day of provocative sessions about the changing media landscape and how to navigate it, with more than two dozen panelists and speakers sharing their insights. CLICK HEREfor more information.

And CLICK HERE for information on how to join SPJ at a discount.