Colorado Press Association and A-Mark Foundation
A-Mark Prize for Responsive Journalism
Honoring journalism that drives impact and strengthens Colorado communities.
Deadline: Monday, JulY 27, 2026 (extended)
$15,000
In prize money. Three awards for journalists and newsrooms.
Focused on Impact
We recognize journalism that improves lives and strengthens communities.
Open to All
Colorado-based journalists and news organizations of any size or platform.
Celebrating Innovation
Fresh ideas. New approaches. Real-world results.
About the A-Mark Prize
The Colorado Press Association, in partnership with the A-Mark Foundation, presents the A-Mark Prize for Responsive Journalism to recognize outstanding reporting that responds to clearly communicated community needs.
Whether digging into underreported topics, holding powerful individuals or institutions accountable, exploring systemic challenges, or providing helpful, actionable information, this prize celebrates journalism that informs, engages and creates meaningful change.
What We Recognize
We honor in-depth reporting and solutions-oriented journalism that responds to clearly communicated community needs. Innovation can take many forms, from enterprise reporting to data journalism to community engagement.
Investigative and Enterprise
Deep reporting that brings important issues to light.
Community Engagement
Work that responds to community needs.
Data, Visual & Innovative Storytelling
Fresh formats and approaches that help the public understand complex issues.
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated based on the following core criteria. Not all elements need to be present in every submission,
but reporting should demonstrate excellence in some or all of these areas.
Quality of Journalism
Well-researched, thorough work grounded in accuracy, fairness and accountability.
Quality of Presentation
Clear, compelling storytelling and effective use of written, audio, video or multimedia formats.
Responsiveness to Community
Addresses needs identified through community input, engagement or active listening.
Impact
Demonstrated or potential impact on public understanding, dialogue, policy or positive change.
The Awards
1st Place
$5,000
Journalist(s)
+ $2,500
Newsroom(s)
2nd Place
$3,000
Journalist(s)
+ $1,500
Newsroom(s)
3rd Place
$2,000
Journalist(s)
+ $1,000
Newsroom(s)
Total of $15,000 in prize money
Winners honored at CPA’s annual awards on August 29, 2026
Eligible Work
Work must be produced in calendar year 2025.
Who Can Enter
Colorado-based reporters for Colorado-based news organizations.
Entry Fee
$25 per entry
Entry Deadline
Submissions close at 11:59 p.m. MDT, July 27, 2026.
Eligible reporting: Reporting must be produced by Colorado-based reporter(s) for Colorado-based news organization(s). Any medium or combination of media is eligible. Standalone pieces and series are eligible. Up to five elements may be submitted per entry. Individual reporters or editors may submit entries.
Community needs: Community needs should be identified through engagement or outreach such as listening sessions, town halls, crowdsourcing, open newsrooms, advisory boards, community partnerships, social media conversations or other mechanisms. These may be formal or informal mechanisms, but the link to clearly communicated community needs must be established.
Submission details: The contest form asks for a single work, which may be any eligible reporting project, including a series. Elements must be PDFs or digital media. Text in web pages should be submitted as PDFs.
Prize distribution: Winning submissions with multiple journalists or newsrooms will split the relevant prizes.
2024 A-Mark Prize Winners
1st Place
Sam Tabachnik
Shelly Bradbury
The Denver Post
2nd Place
Kaya Williams
Laurine Lasalle
Aspen Public Radio and Aspen Journalism
3rd Place
Noam Levey, John Ingold, Chris Vanderveen, Sara Wilson, Rae Ellen Bichell and Lindsey Toomer
COLab, KFF Health News, 9News, The Colorado Sun and Colorado Newsline
About The A-Mark Foundation
The A-Mark Foundation is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to supporting and encouraging journalism and investigative reporting through grants to organizations that offer awards recognizing journalistic excellence.
About Colorado Press Association
Founded in 1878, Colorado Press Association is the champion for Colorado print and online media. CPA is the nonprofit trade association representing journalists, investigative reporters and truth seekers throughout the state. We defend the First Amendment and stand for truth and unbiased reporting. We are a collective of more than 140 community newspapers, online news sites and nonprofit news outlets. Membership accesses expertise in state legislative issues, press credentials, education and training, job opportunities, internships and industry news.
Ready to Enter?
Share your impactful journalism with Colorado and be recognized for the difference you make.
Questions? Contact us at membership@colopress.net.