The Durango Herald earned 46 newspaper awards last week at the Top of the Rockies journalism contest – more than any other publication in a four-state region – for its news reporting, photography, opinion commentary, page design and public service reporting.
The contest was sponsored by the Colorado chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and included media outlets in four states, including Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The Herald competed with at least 15 other media outlets in the large newsroom category.
The newspaper won first-place awards for political reporting, business reporting, feature writing, opinion writing, headline writing, editorial cartoons, news photography and more. A total of 16 different staff members and contributors won awards, including two interns.
“What makes these awards selected by our peers so significant is the number of Durango Herald reporters and editors who were singled out,” said Richard G. Ballantine, chair of the Herald’s board of directors. “It is helpful to be a part of a village.”
He added: “Without readers and advertisers, those who find the Herald worthwhile reading and a benefit to their businesses and nonprofits, the awards wouldn’t have happened. Thanks to them for seeing value in a local newspaper.”
Other Colorado publications that competed in the large newsroom category included 5280, Boulder Daily Camera, Denver Business Journal, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, Longmont Times-Call, Loveland Reporter-Herald and Rocky Mountain PBS, among others.
Other big winners included Salt Lake Tribune with 15 awards, Colorado Politics with 15 awards, Colorado Public Radio with 11 awards, The Colorado Sun with 23 awards and Desert News with 40 awards.
Closer to home, Ouray County Plaindealer took 11 awards, Telluride Daily Planet took eight and The Southern Ute Drum took nine.
Top of the Rockies recognized stories, photos and other editorial content published during the 2024 calendar year. It does not cover advertising submissions.
The Herald awards include:
A&E and Food: News or Feature: “Tuning in to the early history of Telluride Bluegrass,” by Staff Writer Reuben Schafir, first place.
Personal/Humor Column: a series of columns by Kim Martin, who shares her journey after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, first place.
“It feels like a blessing to have a columnist who is at the nexus of having serious cognitive impairment but still in a place to clearly convey what she’s going through by writing so well, clear-headedly about it,” the judges wrote.
Sports Photography/Videography: Free Flying, photos by Photo Editor Jerry McBride, first place.
“Compelling action and attention to detail. Great work,” the judges wrote.
News Photography/Videography: “Where there’s smoke there’s firefighters,” photos by McBride, first place.
“Immersive and compelling, the photographer brought the viewer into a harrowing scenario,” the judges wrote. “Above and beyond. Excellent work!”
Headlines writing: a series of headlines, including “Cat-astrophy, Never too many and Don’t stop the presses,” by Arts & Entertainment Editor Katie Chicklinski-Cahill, first place.
“The headline ‘Surviving Cat-astrophe’ is a short, catchy head about our furry friends who survived the Maui fire,” the judges wrote.
Climate Photography/Videography: “Despite climate threats, fall colors expected in full force,” a collection of fall color photos by McBride, first place.
“Important local climate reportage, set inside an absolutely stunning portfolio of nature/botanical/landscape photographs, communicating a cautionary but hopeful story,” the judges wrote.
Social Justice Photography/Videography: “Unhoused best friends,” photos of unhoused residents and the relationships they have with their dogs, first place.
“Such a joyful image amid such troubling circumstances, highlighting the important role that loving, caring for and being protected by animal companions can have in survival and rebuilding,” the judges wrote.
Editorial Cartoons: for a series of hand-drawn editorial cartoons by Judith Reynolds, first place.
Spot News Photography/Videography: “Semi on Cascade,” a dramatic photo of a semi truck that was hanging off the edge of U.S. Highway 550 by McBride, first place.
“Riveting and compelling work! Excellent capture,” the judges wrote.
Mental Health Feature: “For Durango’s unhoused population, pet ownership is a burden and a blessing,” a story about unhoused residents and their relationships with their dogs, by summer intern Nathan Metcalf, first place.
“The article’s theme is both heartwarming and heartbreaking,” the judges wrote. “It is well-written, focusing only on the essentials, as the subject speaks for itself.”
Politics News: “Senate District 6 candidates denounce ‘fearmongering' GOP fundraising email,” about opposing candidates trying to keep things civil despite meddling from outside party leaders – including attacking a transgender candidate for her gender identity, Schafir, first place.
“A marker of the current state of affairs regarding the prejudices that trans people have to deal with in 2025,” the judges wrote.
Columns/Op Ed pieces: “Our View: Durango Herald - Opinion Editorials,” for opinion pieces written by Richard G. Ballantine and Ann Marie Swan, first place.
“The best editorials and columns grab readers by the lapels and persuade them to lean into a topic,” the judges wrote. “These entries exhibit both key requirements.”
Features: Short form: “With no phone, wallet or car, he died in the Colorado wilderness, leaving $30,000 to the food bank,” about an unhoused man who died in the Vallecito Lake area, Schafir, first place.
“A fascinating feature on a man who lived in the Colorado wilderness for two decades,” the judges wrote. “Provides a detailed glimpse of a recluse who died without a phone and a wallet, who left his savings to a food bank.”
Business News: “Orio’s Roadhouse, one of last exceptions to Colorado’s smoking ban, to go smoke-free,” about Durango’s last smoking bar going smoke-free, Tyler Brown, first place.
“Excellent intro paragraph and subject interviews,” the judges wrote. “Writer has a strong grasp of the town and its culture and was able to persuade even non-smokers to sympathize.”
Personal/Humor Column: “Action Line,” a series of columns by John Peel, second place.
Sports Photography/Videography: “Bronc busting” by McBride, second place.
Investigative Reporting: “Unmined Potential,” a series of stories about Silverton’s former town mayor, by Schafir, second place.
Climate Photography/Videography: “Last train to burn coal as the climate changes” by McBride, second place.
Social Justice Photography/Videography: “Tackling homeless needs,” by McBride, second place.
Legal News: “Durango woman with about 100 tickets sentenced to 45 days in jail,” by Managing Editor Shane Benjamin, second place.
Spot News Photography/Videography: “Unhoused arrest,” by McBride, second place.
Public Service: “Durango residents at a loss as homeowners insurance becomes harder to find,” by Schafir, second place.
Photo package: “Legends on the Animas,” by McBride, second place.
Mental Health Feature: “Hunting while blind? Group provides therapeutic experience in La Plata County,” by Weekend Editor Matt Hollinshead, second place.
Education News: “Are four-day school weeks helping or hurting K-12 education in Southwest Colorado?” by Brown, second place.
Feature Page Design: “Meet Hopi R2-D2,” by Chicklinski-Cahill, second place.
Single Page Design: “High Strangeness,” by Chicklinski-Cahill, second place.
Religion Feature: “Pastor, former boxer and exoneree visits Durango to share life story,” by Staff Writer Christian Burney, second place.
Politics News: “U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet expresses concern about Biden staying in race,” by American University intern Kathryn Squyres, second place.
Health Feature: “'Hopeless and helpless,' patients caught between Anthem and CommonSpirit,” by Schafir, second place.
Politics Feature: “His last act': Hesperus man casts first general election ballot before his death,” by Schafir, second place.
Science and Technology Feature: “Durango helicopter outfitter pilots new search and rescue technology,” by Schafir, second place.
Front Page Design: “His Last Act,” by Chicklinski-Cahill, third place.
Sports Photography/Videography: “Showdown at sundown,” by McBride, third place.
Legal Feature: “A candidate for mayor, a small-town newspaper and a missing snowcat,” by Schafir, third place.
Social Justice Reporting: “Durango schools ban Black Lives Matter, trans-specific pride flags,” by Schafir, third place.
Feature Photography/Videography: “Ranch rodeo,” by McBride, third place.
Climate Photography/Videography: “Fuels reduction,” by McBride, third place.
Ag and Environment: News: “State health department to fine Lightner Creek Mobile Home Park owner over sewage,” by Schafir, third place.
Spot News Photography/Videography: “Salon crash,” by McBride, third place.
Sports: Columns: “Column: Cox’s success with Fort Lewis College football something everyone can root for,” by Sports Editor Bryce Kelly, third place.
Illustration: “Violinist joins San Juan Symphony Orchestra to celebrate Beethoven,” by Arts & Entertainment contributor Judith Reynolds, third place.
Single Page Design: “Endorsements: 2024 General Election Ballot,” by Page Designer/Copy Editor Nick Gonzales and Opinion Page Editor Ellen Stein, third place.
Health News: “Contract deadline passes with no deal between CommonSpirit, Anthem,” by Schafir, third place.
Features: Short form: “Three-legged dogs care less about injuries than some owners,” by Benjamin, third place.
Business News: “Has tipping culture gotten out of control in Durango?” by Brown, third place.
