From hard-hitting investigative reporting to testing the “wide stance” contortions of public restroom sex solicitation, Colorado Confidential earned four first place awards among other accolades at the Society of Professional Journalists, Colorado Pro Chapter’s annual Mark of Excellence Awards.Winning nine awards and four honorable mentions for online reporting, Colorado Confidential also swept six of seven categories in the Division B competition for media outlets with circulation between 10,000-75,000 readers. Since its launch in July 2006, Colorado Confidential has won 16 SPJ Colorado Pro Chapter awards for excellence in reporting, Web design, photography, and reader interactivity.
Online/General Web Site Excellence
1st place – Colorado Confidential
Online/Interactive
1st place – Colorado Confidential
Online/Feature Story
1st place – Wendy Norris, Sandra Fish and Kerri Rebresh, Pass/Fail: Colorado’s State Legislators’ Final Report Card series
2nd place – Wendy Norris, Cara DeGette, Andrew Oh-Willeke, Kerri Rebresh, Leslie Robinson, and Erin Rosa, Colorado Women Need a Plan A for Plan B series.
Honorable Mention – Kerri Rebresh, Fractured Faith: An Ex-Ex-Gay Speaks Out, Parts 1 and 2
Online Blog
1st place – Cara DeGette, judged stories:
(1) It’s OK To Say Merry Christmas – And Send Money
(2) For Taxpayers, Lucius O’Dell Is No Pale Rider
(3) ALEC investigative series
2nd place – Erin Rosa, judged stories:
(1) Lobbying And A Few Restaurant Recommendations
(2) Government Transparency Lagging In Denver
(3) Documents Reveal Xcel Lobbying Tactics In Denver
3rd place – Leslie Robinson, judged stories:
(1) An Oil Shale Bust Survivor’s Story
(2) Colorado Reviving the Sagebrush Rebellion?
(3) Udall, Salazar Seek Roan Plateau Protection
Honorable Mention – Wendy Norris, judged stories:
(1) 50,000 Watts of Hate
(2) Gunny Bob’s Own ‘Don Imus Moment’ Draws Fire
(3) Gunny Bob and the ‘Shock Jock Nuremberg Defense’
Honorable Mention – Jim Spencer, judged stories:
(1) CU Regents Fire Churchill, Lawsuit Due Wednesday
(2) Denial of In-state Tuition Costs Immigrants’ Children Dearly
(3) Intrepid Columnist Tests Craig’s ‘Wide Stance’
Online Breaking News
2nd place – Jim Spencer, Nacchio Gets Six Years, $71 Million in Forfeitures and Fines
Online/Photo
Third place – Leslie Robinson, The Continuing Politics of the Roan Plateau
Online/Web Site Design
Honorable Mention – Colorado Confidential
Division B contestants were judged by the SPJ William O. Douglas Pro Chapter for southern Washington and northeastern Oregon. Winners were announced at a banquet Friday at the University Club in Denver that featured keynote speaker U.S. News and World Report’s chief White House correspondent and former Denver Post reporter Kenneth Walsh.
Congratulations to all of those honored for excellence in reporting.
