By Mark Harden / SPJ Colorado Pro communications chair
Hello, and welcome to the spring edition of the newsletter of the Society of Professional Journalists Colorado Professional Chapter.
We have a packed schedule of events and activities coming up in the weeks ahead (including several this week). Here’s the latest. (For more, visit our website.)
March 23 (yes, today!): Deadline for nominations for SPJ’s Ethics in Journalism Award
The national SPJ Ethics in Journalism Award honors journalists or news organizations that perform in an outstanding ethical manner demonstrating the ideals of the SPJ Code of Ethics. It also honors especially notable efforts to educate the public on principles embodied in the code. Today’s the last day to nominate someone (or yourself) for this national award.
Information and nomination link here.
March 24: A conversation with top Colorado media meteorologists
What does it mean to be a media meteorologist when your forecast competes with social media algorithms, viral misinformation and is subject to instant audience scrutiny?
On March 24, we present “T-Storms, Trends & Trolls: Broadcast Meteorology in 2026,” a candid conversation about how weather coverage is evolving in the current climate, at the Denver Press Club. Our panel will include Chris Bianchi (KUSA 9NEWS, Denver), Lauren Brand (KOAA NEWS5, Southern Colorado) Jaden Knowles (KUSA 9NEWS) and Mike Nelson (recently retired; former KMGH Denver7 chief meteorologist).
More information and RSVP here.
March 26-27: Hone your journalism skills at SkillsFest26
Join us for SkillsFest26, a free two-day virtual program featuring hours of hands-on journalism training from top pros. National SPJ and the SPJ New England chapter are hosting.
Details and registration here.
April 3: Experts help you get your resume in shape
You’re a Colorado student aspiring to a career in journalism or public relations. You’re proud of your work, but you need expert advice on how to present it effectively and land a job.
If so, join us April 3 as we and the Denver Press Club present our Spring Portfolio Review. An expert panel of pros in broadcast, print and online journalism as well as public relations will be on hand to review your résumé and portfolio of work.
Our reviewers will include representatives of the Associated Press, Colorado Public Radio, the Denver Gazette, Denverite, Denver7 and the Aurora Sentinel. Students will get a 15-minute slot with the reviewer of their choice.
April 18: SPJ Region 9 Conference in Albuquerque
SPJ’s Region 9 includes Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The SPJ Colorado Pro chapter hosted an amazing regional conference in Denver last year, and now it’s the turn of our friends in the SPJ Rio Grande Chapter (New Mexico and West Texas) in partnership with Trusting News. It’s April 18 in Albuquerque. Details and registration here.
April 25: Our annual Top of the Rockies awards reception
Join us April 25 as SPJ Colorado Pro toasts excellence in journalism across the Rocky Mountains at the 2026 Top of the Rockies Awards Reception at the Slate Hotel in Denver.
We’ll celebrate our colleagues’ work in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming as we present the four-state Top of the Rockies Awards. We’ll also present the SPJ Colorado Pro Chapter’s individual awards to Colorado journalists whose work and commitment rise above and beyond. And we’ll announce our 2026 SPJ Colorado Pro scholarship recipients.
More information and RSVP here.
Catch up on our recent events
- In case you missed our March 11 webinar with journalists and jurists talking about “Covering the Courts,” or if you took part and you’d like to review it again, watch it on our YouTube channel here.
- On Feb. 24, Adrian Miller, a Denver-based culinary historian and James Beard Award-winning author, gave us a tasty tour of soul food, barbecue and White House culinary history at our “Food as History” book talk. If you missed it, or if you just want a second helping, here’s the video.
- If you missed “DEI on Deadline,” our provocative Feb. 18 panel discussion of reporting, representation and credibility in a polarized climate, here’s the video.
And for more SPJ Colorado Pro video recaps of our events, watch here, and subscribe to keep tabs on all the action.
SPJ Colorado Pro mourns IRE Executive Director Diana R. Fuentes
Our chapter is saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Diana R. Fuentes, executive director of Investigative Reporters & Reporters. IRE has more here.
Join us!
SPJ is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and upholding high ethical standards. SPJ’s Colorado Pro Chapter, founded in 1949, serves journalists and allies across the state. Colorado chapter membership is now included in your national membership at no extra charge. Find out about the benefits of membership here.
In case you missed it
- Stay in touch with SPJ Colorado Pro online, on Facebook, on LinkedIn, on Bluesky and on X. And here’s our website.
That’s all for now. Hope to see you at our upcoming events!
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