The Durango Herald won 29 press awards, including three sweepstakes awards, at the annual Colorado Press Association’s newspaper contest held Sept. 21-23 in Denver.

The Herald also won the general excellence award in its category, which included 10 other publications from across the state, including Steamboat Pilot & Today, The Aspen Times, Summit Daily News, The Greeley Tribune, Vail Daily and The Pueblo Chieftain.

The Herald won nine journalism awards and 17 advertising awards, including 12 first-place awards. It also won sweepstakes awards in advertising and mixed media.

“It made me want to come and visit. A treat for the eyes,” read a judge’s comment about the Herald’s special advertising section for “Explore Ouray.”

“This story should be taken to Washington DC and read into the Congressional Record. Important reporting, done well and dispassionately,” read a judge’s comments about a news story reported by Christian Burney about U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert falsely accusing Durango School District 9-R of providing litter boxes to children “who identify as cats.”

The contest covered editorial, advertising, photography and design work published in 2022.

Among the first-place awards the news staff won were for best news story, best education story and best website (durangoherald.com).

In advertising, the Herald won first-place awards for its campaigns on behalf of Kroegers Ace Hardware, April’s Garden, West Dalton Ranch and the Durango-La Plata County Airport. It also won first-place awards for its special sections, including Best of Durango, Explore Ouray and Four Corners Healthy Living Winter.

“Newspapers may be smaller and use the internet, but very good reporting, editing and advertising design continue to take place, and the work that the Herald provides has been judged among the best,” said Richard G. Ballantine, chairman of the board of Ballantine Communications Inc., the parent company of the Herald. “Thanks to the readers and advertisers who make a strong community newspaper possible.”

Best education story: “Durango School District turns the other cheek at Boebert's unfounded 'litter box' remarks,” by Burney, first place.

Best news story: “Durango train crew aids injured hiker,” about Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge employees’ effort to rescue a missing and injured woman, by Garret Jaros, first place.

Best opinion writing: A collection of editorials written by Ann Marie Swan and Ballantine, first place.

“Strong theses, solidly supported writing in the public interest,” a judge wrote. “Good editorials are about leadership; that's present here.”

Best website: For the Herald’s main website, www.durangoherald.com, by staff, first place.

Best junior journalist story: “Boebert, Bennet and Hickenlooper outline legislative priorities for 2022,” written by Skye Witley, an intern from American University in Washington, D.C., as part of the Herald’s yearslong partnership with college, first place.

A judge wrote: “The writer did a very nice job of laying out these lawmakers' priorities and adding context where it was needed – not to mention that these were great gets!”

Best feature story: “Colorado inmate fire crew slashes brush in La Plata County,” about a team of prisoners that performs fire mitigation throughout the state, by Reuben Schafir, second place.

“From the opening line to the last paragraph, this story brought the lives of these inmates into full-color focus,” a judge wrote.

Best investigative story package: “Mercy Hospital,” a series of stories the long-term impacts hospital employees faced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” by Aedan Hannon, Burney and Nicholas Johnson, second place.

“A consistently in-depth dive into the practices of a hospital throughout one of the most impactful public health crises in history,” a judge wrote. “Very well done.”

Best headline writing: For a series of headlines written by Katie Chicklinski, second place.

“Good group - some brought a smile,” a judge wrote.

Best Arts & Entertainment column writing: “Adam Swanson Returns to Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College,” by Bryant Liggett, second place.

Best serious column writing: For a series of columns written by Bill Roberts, second place.

“Well argued and reasoned columns that drilled down to the core of the issues in question,” a judge wrote.

Best photo slideshow - gallery or photo essay: “Youth Wrestling,” for a gallery of photos by Jerry McBride, second place.

Best advertising campaign: “Durango-La Plata County Airport - Highly Convenient,” by Tad Smith, Joann Sonday, Wes Rowell and Jamie Opalenik, first place.

Best advertising campaign: “Durango Hot Springs - The Perfect Gift,” by Rowell, Smith and Kelly Bulkley, second place.

“Very pretty and inviting,” a judge wrote. “This ad certainly got the job done. It was a tough decision between first and 2nd place.”

Best advertising special section: “Explore Ouray,” by Hunter Harrell, Rowell, Smith, Opalenik and Kelly Bulkley, second place.

Best classified pages or sections: “Durango Herald Classified,” by Ryan Brown, second place.

Best digital ad: “Kroegers Ace Hardware - All Projects, All Seasons,” by Wes Rowell and Shell Simonson, first place.

Best digital ad: “Durango-La Plata County Airport - Leaderboard,” Smith, Joann Sonday, Rowell and Opalenik, second place.

Best news media/house ad promotion: “Best of Durango,” by Smith and Megan Milstead, first place.

Best news media/house ad promotion: “70 Years of Ballantine,” by Rowell and Milstead, second place.

Best print ad: “April's Garden - Summer Guide 2022,” by Rowell and Simonson, first place.

Best print ad: “Star Liquors - Durango Herald Full Page,” by Rowell and Simonson, second place.

Best use of digital advertising: “West Dalton Ranch,” by Nathan Van Arsdale and Bulkley, first place.

“Great, clean video,” a judge wrote. “Just enough of a tease to make you want to learn more. Elegantly done.”

Best use of digital advertising: “Four Corners Foot & Ankle - Whole family on their feet,” by Rowell and Simonson, second place.

Best editorial special section: “Explore Ouray,” by Harrell, Rowell, Smith, Opalenik and Bulkley, first place.

Best cover design: “Four Corners Healthy Living Winter,” by Harrell, Rowell, Smith and Opalenik, first place.

Best cover design: “Explore Ouray,” by Harrell, Ryan Nott, Rowell, Smith and Opalenik, second place.