The Society of Professional Journalists 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. We invite you to join us. Colorado chapter membership is now included in your national membership at no extra charge.

What is SPJ?

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ champions journalists by recognizing outstanding achievement, protecting press freedom, promoting ethics, and preparing new generations of professionals.

National awards programs for journalistic achievement include the Sigma Delta Chi Awards for professionals and the Mark of Excellence Awards for students.

And SPJ’s Colorado Pro Chapter offers forums on journalism issues, educational programs and scholarships for the journalists of tomorrow, among other services. Each year we recognize journalism excellence across the Rocky Mountains with our Top of the Rockies Awards. And we honor outstanding contributions to Colorado journalism with our annual individual awards.

SPJ’s Rocky Mountain chapters host annual conventions for professionals, educators and students offering panels and speakers on journalistic topics as well as stellar networking opportunities.

What SPJ does

• We recognize the achievements of journalists and best practices of media organizations through our awards programs.
• We educate journalists on best practices, skills and new innovations.
• We create products and services that help instill pride of vocation in journalists at all stages in their career.
• We monitor and fight against efforts to violate the First Amendment and suppress free press.
• We defend journalists through legal defense funds and activate initiatives to protect the First Amendment through our First Amendment Forever Fund.
• We increase public awareness and support of the First Amendment through training and education.
• We build public trust in the media and greater accountability in the profession via an ethics response team, ethics hotline, and other programming.
• We promote and advance ethics through a Code of Ethics that is the most widely used code in journalism today.
• We help prepare the next generation of journalists through our student and young professional programs.
• We educate journalists on technology and innovation to build journalism’s future.

Membership benefits

• Quill magazine four times a year and periodic email newsletters.
• Professional development, career support, local connections, journalism advocacy and industry insights.
• Discounted members-only rates for attending our SPJ convention and for nominating your work for SPJ’s Sigma Delta Chi and Mark of Excellence Awards.
• A members-only website where you can join communities, watch on-demand training videos and webinars, read our guide for freelancers, and more.
• Discounts on various commercials services and retail products, financial services and more.

Membership rates

Join SPJ at the level that’s right for you. Join here.

• Professional: If you spend more than half of your time working as a journalist or j-educator. $78.75 for 1 year. (Includes SPJ Colorado Pro chapter membership.)
• Retired: If you are retired and 62 or older. $39.50 for 1 year.
• Lifetime: $1,000.
• Household: If you share living quarters with an existing SPJ professional member. $39.50 for 1 year.
• College student: $39.50 for 1 year. (If you are a freshman or sophomore, you can join now for $105 and be covered for the span of your college enrollment.)
• Post grad: If you’re within three years of college graduation. $39.50 for 1 year. (Any newly joining post grad member, including current SPJ college members who are graduating, a can join for three years for $78.75.)
• Associate (SPJ supporter): If you support efforts to protect the First Amendment, freedom of press, media credibility and the public’s access to information. Or you are a high school student with an interest in journalism, potentially as a career path. $21 for 1 year.
• Institutional memberships: Newsrooms and colleges can join SPJ. Click here for details.

More membership information here.