The Durango Herald won 24 press awards in this year’s Top of the Rockies journalism contest, including awards for photography, feature writing and social justice 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 26 other media outlets in the large newsroom category.
The newspaper won more awards than any other publication in its category, including five first-place awards.
“The Herald has talented journalists and ad sales staff, but without readers and advertisers good reporting and editing are not possible,” said Richard G. Ballantine, chair of the Herald’s board of directors. “Thank you for using the Herald in both its print and digital formats.”
Other publications in the large newsroom category included 5280 (a Denver-area magazine), Boulder Daily Camera, Casper (Wyoming) Star-Tribune, Denver Gazette, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, Jackson Hole News&Guide, Rocky Mountain PBS, Searchlight New Mexico, Wyoming Tribune Eagle and others.
The contest included stories, photos and other editorial content published during the 2022 calendar year.
The awards include:
Science and Technology: News: “Can the next generation of scientists help solve our dust on snow problem?” about how drought leads to more dust on snow which causes more rapid melting of snowpack, by Aedan Hannon, first place.
“Really enjoyed this piece,” the judges wrote. “The science/technology behind snowpack was broken down in a way that is easy to understand for the general public.”
Sports Photography/Videography: “Header,” a photo of a soccer player taking a header, by Jerry McBride, first place.
“Some might say soccer is a non-contact sport,” the judges wrote. “This terrific shot captures the competitive spirit and sometimes agony of giving it your all. Nicely done!”
News column: “Gulliford's Travels - Andrew Gulliford,” for a collection of columns about Southwest Colorado, by Andrew Gulliford, first place.
“This is a really interesting, far-ranging comment that's at home just as much making observations about the nearby area as localizing a major national news story, which speaks to the skill of the columnist,” the judges wrote.
Column Personal/Humor: “Action Line - John Peel,” for a series of columns that answers readers’ questions about sometimes oddball things in and around Durango, by John Peel, first place.
“Combines humor in small, not-overdone doses with a great deal of unique and informative content, making for a consistently entertaining read,” the judges wrote.
Editorial Cartoons: “Wes Row Cartoons,” for a series of cartoons about local, national and international news events, by Wes Row, first place.
“The judges especially liked the bear/Russia editorial cartoon because it's an interesting take on the war between Russia and Ukraine,” the judges wrote.
Spot News Photography/Videography: “Depot Robbery,” by McBride, second place.
Sports Photography/Videography: “Bull Fighter,” by McBride, second place.
Politics: Feature: “How politics, public perception played into the vote to reintroduce wolves,” by Hannon, second place.
Column Personal/Humor: “Jim Cross,” for a series of columns by Jim Cross, second place.
A&E and Food: News or Feature: “Durango photographer honors health care workers in 'The Be Seen Project,'” by Katie Chicklinski-Cahill, second place.
Feature Page Design: “Portraits from a Pandemic,” by Chicklinski-Cahill, second place.
Social Justice Reporting: “Southwest Colorado’s LGBTQ+ members refuse to give into fear after mass shooting,” by Megan Olsen, second place.
Features: Short form: “As Durango grows and becomes more expensive, is its culture changing?” by Hannon, second place.
Science and Technology: News: “Citizen science series,” for a series of stories about local efforts to enlist residents to help collect data to aid environmental scientists, by Hannon, second place.
Politics: News: “Abortion advocates, opponents look to a post-Roe future in Durango and Colorado,” by Hannon, third place.
Business: News: “Durango braces for high gas prices, but optimism remains,” by Hannon, third place.
Ag and Environment: News: “What role can bison play in the future of sustainable ranching?” by Hannon, third place.
Obit Reporting: “Newspaper editor Mark Esper made an impact,” by Christian Burney, third place.
Science and Technology: Feature: “Southwest science,” for a series of stories about citizen scientists and professional scientists who have made Southwest Colorado their home, Hannon, third place.
Headline Writing: “Dinner with the King,” for a headline that accompanied a story about a new cookbook that features meal ideas inspired by Stephen King stories, by Chicklinski-Cahill, third place.
Social Justice Photography/Videography: “Unhoused,” for a series of stories focusing on Durango’s homeless population, by McBride, third place.
Mental Health: Feature: “Do farmers and ranchers take stock of mental health? Or is it 'men don't cry'?” by Hannon, third place.
Mental Health: News: “Baby formula shortage challenges Durango's families and their support programs,” by Hannon, third place.
Health: News: “Routine Care, ICU Capacity, Heroes Drained,” for a series of stories about the pressures health care workers at Mercy Hospital were experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic, by Hannon, third place.
