The Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has announced the winners of the 2025 Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism competition.

This year, more than 80 news media outlets and 20 freelancers from Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico entered the contest, which was judged by the Los Angeles Press Club. In all, the contest saw more than 1,850 entries.

“The competition continues to grow each year, and we are honored to highlight outstanding journalism throughout the four-state region,” said contest coordinator Deb Hurley Brobst. “These are hard-working journalists who deserve recognition of their efforts.”

Top of the Rockies is a regional, multi-platform contest for reporters and news organizations in the four-state area.

The contest grew from a Colorado-only contest on the heels of the closure of the Rocky Mountain News in 2009 to ensure a robust and competitive field. Entries compete in four divisions based on newsroom size.

The awards were presented Saturday, April 5, at the conclusion of the SPJ Region 9 Conference in Denver.

The full list of winners can be accessed through SPJ Colorado’s Google Drive or is available for download here.

Also that evening, the SPJ Colorado Pro Chapter presented its 2025 individual awards to five Colorado journalism superstars.

The honorees are:

• KEEPER OF THE FLAME (career achievement): Michelle P. Fulcher

• JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR: Sam Tabachnik

• FIRST AMENDMENT AWARD: Rachael Johnson

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

CLICK HERE for full details on the 2025 SPJ individual awards.

VIDEO: Watch the presentation of the SPJ Colorado individual awards and scholarships.