The Colorado chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has announced the winners of the 2022 Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism awards, and I’m pleased to report I was given first place in the legal news category for my coverage of a landmark common-law marriage case. Here’s what the judges had to say:

“The truest example of enterprise reporting in this category, this story uses Colorado Supreme Court action on three common-law marriage cases to articulate the generational changes to the institution brought on by evolving relationship norms, particularly (thought not exclusively) the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage. The story includes a command of subject matter one might expect from such an outlet that caters to the legal community but leaves the light on for other readers interested in the topic.”

Journalists from four Rocky Mountain states—Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming—compete each year for recognition.

Click here for my winning story.

I have also been recognized by SPJ’s Minnesota chapter for my radio documentary work.

(Photo: JoEllen Moths via Pexels)