The Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists announced the winners of the annual Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism competition, Saturday, May 4. The Southern Ute Drum won 13 awards across multiple categories from excellence in newspaper design to photography.
Southern Ute Drum Graphic Specialist, Robert L. Ortiz won a total of five awards for newspaper design, in addition to a first-place award in Social Justice Photography/Videography for his coverage of Native Love’s annual walk to bring awareness to Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives. “The photographer takes viewers through the journey of the 15-mile walk,” said one contest judge of Ortiz’s winning photo essay.
Reporter/Photographer, Divine Windy Boy earned four awards for excellence in photojournalism, including a first-place win in Spot News Photography/Videography for her coverage of the 101st Southern Ute Tribal Fair.
Southern Ute Drum Admin. Assistant, Krista Richards brought home a win in the News Photography/Videography category for her photo titled, “Measuring success.”
Editor, Jeremy Wade Shockley, earned a first-place win for Climate Photography/Videography for his environmental coverage titled, “Hazy skies greet residents in Pine River Valley, and a second-place win in Feature Photography for his powwow coverage. “Beautiful landscape photos showing the hazy skies,” described one contest judge in reference to the air quality coverage.
Judges lauded Ortiz’s design and layout in the newspaper as having, “Great use of color photos mixed with a variety of useful and informative content.”
This year, more than 80 news media outlets and 30 freelancers from Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico entered the contest, which was judged by the Los Angeles Press Club. In all, the contest saw more than 1,900 entries.
“The competition grows each year, and with that, we honor outstanding journalism throughout the four-state region,” said contest coordinator Deb Hurley Brobst. “It’s an honor to recognize the hard work of these journalists.
Top of the Rockies is a regional, multi-platform contest for reporters and news organizations in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. According to the SPJ website, the contest grew from a Colorado-only contest after the closure of the Rocky Mountain News in 2009 to ensure a robust and competitive field. Entries compete in four divisions based on newsroom size. This year’s awards ceremony was held in person at the historic Denver Press Club.
Full list of 2024 Top of the Rockies awards
- 1st -Spot News Photography/Videography – Celebrating the 101st Southern Ute Tribal Fair: Powwow – Divine Windy Boy
- 3rd -Spot News Photography/Videography – Denver kicks off powwow season – Divine Windy Boy
- 2nd – Sports Photography/Videography – ‘Seneka Locklear Smoke Dance Showcase’ competition – Divine Windy Boy
- 1st – Social Justice Photography/Videography – Native Love host annual walk to bring awareness to MMIR – Robert L. Ortiz
- 1st – Single Page Design – Durango to Silverton by rail – Robert L. Ortiz
- 2nd – Single Page Design – Southern Ute Bear Dance welcomes spring – Robert L. Ortiz
- 3rd – News Photography/Videography – Measuring success – Krista Richards
- 2nd – Front Page Design – Ute tribes fear Navajo Nation’s Colorado River ruling weakens U.S. govt. treaty obligations – Robert L. Ortiz
- 2nd – Feature Photography/Videography – Grand Entry: Gathering of Nations Powwow – Jeremy Wade Shockley
- 3rd – Feature Photography/Videography – Celebrating Powwow on the U&O Reservation! – Divine Windy Boy
- 1st – Feature Page Design – 101st Annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair RODEO – Robert L. Ortiz
- 2nd – Feature Page Design – North American Indigenous Games graces Nova Scotia – Robert L. Ortiz
- 1st – Climate Photography/Videography – Hazy skies greet residents in Pine River Valley – Jeremy Wade Shockley