The Durango Herald won 31 press awards last week at the Colorado Press Association’s annual newspaper contest, including for best newsletter, best website and the big one – general excellence.
The Herald also won a sweepstakes award for the work of its student journalists, which includes summer interns and the paper’s long-standing American University program – a paid internship that recruits student journalists three times a year to report on congressional news affecting Southwest Colorado from Washington, D.C.
The American University program is in its 15th year and has helped train more than 40 student journalists – many of whom went on to pursue notable careers in journalism.
The Herald competed in the Class 2 category, which included 10 other publications, including Ark Valley Voice, Aspen Journalism, Loveland Reporter-Herald, Summit Daily News, The Aspen Times, The Denver Gazette, The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, The Greeley Tribune, The Pueblo Chieftain and Vail Daily.
The contest covered editorial, advertising, photography and design work published in 2024.
The Herald won 14 first-place awards, 14 second-place awards and three sweepstakes awards.
Herald Photo Editor Jerry McBride won five awards, including a second-place award for best overall portfolio.
“It takes a team of skilled professionals,” said Richard G. Ballantine, chairman of the board of Ballantine Communications Inc., the parent company of the Herald. “I want to thank our excellent reporters, photographers, editors, page designers and advertising representatives.
“We also appreciate the tireless dedication from our interns, who will carry this profession into the future,” he said. “But it all begins with the support of our readers and those who use the Herald for their advertising needs.”
Best Website: www.durangoherald.com, by Herald staff, first place.
Best Newsletter: “Your morning updates,” by Herald staff, first place.
Best Headline Writing: For a series of headlines written by Arts & Entertainment Editor Katie Chicklinski-Cahill, first place.
Best Sports Column: “It’s win or go home for Johnny Cox and Fort Lewis football,” by Sports Editor Bryce Kelly, first place.
Best Humorous Column Writing: “Action Line,” for a series of columns written by John Peel, first place.
Best Feature Photograph: “Last Coal Train,” depicting the last coal train to run a regular schedule on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge line, by McBride, first place.
Best News Photograph: “A semi recovery” a gallery of photos showing the recovery of a semi that crashed on the U.S. Highway 550 Cascade Creek hairpin turn, by McBride, first place.
Best News Story: “U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet expresses concern about Biden staying in race,” by American University intern Kathryn Squyres, first place.
Best Sports Column: “DHS track and field is in good hands with underclassmen,” by student intern AJ Bonanno, first place.
Best Investigative Reporting: “How much did Colorado’s CD-3 candidates raise before the primary?” a look at campaign fundraising in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, by Squyres, first place.
Best Feature Photograph: “Telluride Bluegrass Festival anniversary,” a series of photos depicting the early days of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, by Fort Lewis College student Wyatt Richards, first place.
Best News Photograph: “Smoking bar closes,” a photo gallery showing patrons marking the end of smoking at Orio’s Roadhouse, by Richards, first place.
Best Arts & Entertainment Column Writing: “Downtown Lowdown,” for a series of columns, by Bryant Liggett, second place.
Best Crime & Public Safety Reporting: “Durango police strive for balance when responding to school threats,” by Managing Editor Shane Benjamin, second place.
Best Serious Column Writing: “Alzheimer’s, depression,” a series of candid columns about mental health challenges, especially later in life, by Kim Martin, second place.
Best Junior Journalist Story: “Durango woman opens first recovery residence in Southwest Colorado,” by Metcalf, second place.
Best Page Design: A portfolio of section-front page designs, by Chicklinski-Cahill, second place.
Best Investigative Reporting: “Leading a left-handed life in a right-handed world,” a story in recognition of International Lefthanders Day, by Metcalf, second place.
Best Sports Column: “Skyhawk stats: How Fort Lewis College fall sports athletes measure up,” by Bonanno, second place.
Best News Story: “Under the heat dome: Durango keeps breaking records for temperature highs,” a weather story about above-average temperatures, by Metcalf, second place.
Best News Photograph: “Veterans Day Parade,” a gallery of photos depicting the Veterans Day parade in Durango, by Richards, second place.
Best Feature Photograph: “Game Face,” for a 12-year-old boy at a pie-eating contest, by McBride, second place.
Best Public Service Project: “What happens when you call a suicide help line?” a story about the mental health experts who answer suicide prevention hotlines, by Reuben Schafir, second place.
Best Photo Portfolio: A collection of photographs taken throughout the year, by McBride, second place.
Best Sports Photograph: “Showdown at Sundown,” for silhouetted boxers at sunset at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, by McBride, second place.
Best Event Promotion: “Best of Durango,” for the Herald’s annual Best of Durango publication, by Hunter Harrell, Gabriel Glenn, Tad Smith, Joann Sonday and Jamie Opalenik, first place.
Best Digital Ad: “The person who has everything,” a digital ad for Colorado Closets Plus, by Simonson and Glenn, first place.
Best Sponsorship Campaign: “Best of Durango,” for the Herald’s annual Best of Durango publication, by Harrell, Glenn, Smith, Sonday and Opalenik, second place.
