Rocky staff wins 15 first-place awards in Colorado SPJ contest

Rocky Mountain News

Published March 30, 2008 at 10:47 p.m.
Updated March 30, 2008 at 10:47 p.m.

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The Rocky Mountain News was recognized for its news, business and feature reporting, news photography, sports columns and cartooning — among other categories — in journalism awards announced by the Colorado Society of Professional Journalists.

The Rocky received 15 first-place awards and 50 total awards across 34 print and online categories, while The Denver Post notched 56 total awards and 19 first-places.

SPJ singled out several individuals for special honors:

* The Rocky’s Peter Blake was given the Keeper of the Flame Award for dedication to ethical journalism and professional integrity.

* The Post’s Miles Moffeit was named the Palmer Hoyt Journalist of the Year.

* The First Amendment Award went to Doug Bell of Evergreen Newspapers.

* Deb Hurley of Metropolitan State College was recogonized as Journalism Educator of the Year.

* The Rocky’s John C. Ensslin was given the Board of Directors Award for his service to the Colorado Professional Chapter of SPJ.

Rocky first-place honorees include:

Staff, for news reporting, single story, for the immigration raid in Greeley; Jim Sheeler for feature writing, “Wake for an Indian Warrior, Part II”; Tina Griego for general news, “A long Way from Border Street.”

Peter Blake for editorials; Ed Stein for cartoons; Mike Littwin for general news, political reporting, for his profile of Barack Obama; Gargi Chakrabarty, general news — environmental/agricultural reporting for her ethanol series.

Bernie Lincicome for sports columns; Rocky staff for business reporting for the Joe Nacchio sentencing; Rob Reuteman for business columns; Lisa Bornstein for arts and entertainment feature for “Modern muse;” Ahmad Terry, photojournalism — spot news for “Capitol Killing” (a tie with the Post’s Brian Brainerd for the same subject); staff for photo essay for the Holly tornado; Rocky staff for general Web site excellence.

And Kevin Vaughan and staff for best online feature story, “The Crossing.”

The Post’s first place honorees include:

General news, “Fortress America,” Michael Riley; Investigative/enterprise, “Trashing the Truth,” Susan Greene and Miles Moffet; personal column, news, David Harsanyi.

Education, “Elite or Elitist?” Alison Sherry; legal affairs, “Denver’s Bad Boys,” Christopher Osher.

Sports reporting, general, Darrent Williams murder, staff.

Business reporting, feature, “Kroenke’s Empire,” Greg Griffin and Robert Sanchez; Business reporting, investigative/enterprise, “Foreclosure” series.

Arts and entertainment criticism, John Moore; food/beverage writing, “Denial” series, Douglas Brown.

Spot news photography: “Capitol shooting,” Brian Brainerd; news photography, “Travel delay,” Karl Gehring; feature photography, “Pageant,” Kathryn Osler.

Sports photography, “Avalanche,” Andy Cross.

Online breaking news story, “Nacchio convicted;” “Talk Back to Al” blog by Al Lewis; Website design, Politicswest.com.

Online interactive, “Haiku,” Dana Coffield and Joe Murphy; Online photo story, “Colorado’s fallen,” Lyn Alweis.

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