The Colorado Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has opened applications for scholarships of up to $5,000 to journalism students from or living in Colorado.

The deadline for applications is Feb. 14, 2026. See application guidelines below.

The scholarships are open to high school seniors and college and university students attending any accredited U.S. college or university, says Doug Bell, chair of the SPJ Colorado Pro Chapter Scholarship Committee. To be considered, applicants must plan on entering a career in journalism and be from or living in Colorado.

The chapter is offering two categories of scholarships: The Helen Verba Award, for print and digital journalism, and the Sheldon Peterson Award, for broadcast journalism. Learn more about Helen Verba and Sheldon Peterson below.

One or more scholarships will be awarded in each category. All award amounts will be decided by the SPJ Colorado Pro Scholarship Committee.

Offering scholarships to the journalists of tomorrow is a key part of the SPJ Colorado Pro Chapter’s mission. (Click here for information on how to join SPJ; students can join at a discount.)

Here are detailed scholarship application guidelines. Questions? Contact Doug Bell, 303-949-3264.

Applications must include:

• A concise cover letter that may include a statement of financial need. The letter should explain how the applicant intends to use the scholarship.
• An essay (no more than 500 words) illustrating the applicant’s writing abilities and plans for a career in journalism. Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for content generation or editing is strictly prohibited. AI detection tools will be used.
• The names and contact information for two references.
• A current resume.
• Three work samples, which could include classroom work as well as published stories (for the Verba Award) or professional broadcast pieces (for the Peterson Award).
• Specify whether you are applying for the Helen Verba Award (for print/digital journalism) or the Sheldon Peterson Award (for broadcast journalism). Applications for both awards are accepted.

Applications must be postmarked or received at the email address below by Feb. 14, 2026.

Scholarship recipients will be notified in the spring and will be invited to attend an awards banquet in the Denver area. The scholarship money will be paid to the student’s institution. All award amounts will be decided by the SPJ Scholarship Committee.

Email completed applications to Doug Bell at: dgoal@aol.com.

Or snail-mail them to: Doug Bell, Colorado SPJ Pro Scholarship Committee, 1237 S. Lincoln St., Denver, CO 80210.

About the scholarships’ namesakes:

Helen Verba was a devoted member of Sigma Delta Chi (now known as the Society of Professional Journalists) throughout her life. She worked at The Denver Post from 1951 until her retirement in 1978. She joined The Post in its radio/TV department, worked on the society desk and became club editor in 1971. Before joining The Post staff, Verba worked for a Denver advertising agency and wrote and produced radio shows for the information department at the University of Colorado.

Sheldon Peterson was an assistant general manager/public affairs director of KMGH-TV (Channel 7) in Denver. Peterson moved to Denver in 1938 to become a reporter for The Denver Post. He left Denver briefly to work in Chicago, but returned in 1947 to become news director at KLZ radio. In 1970, he joine