The Colorado Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Colorado) has announced the winners of its 2026 Gold Pick Awards, recognizing outstanding communications campaigns, agencies and professionals across the state. Established in 1966, the awards honor excellence in strategic planning, creativity, execution and measurable results. This year’s winners represent a cross-section of Colorado’s communications landscape, including corporations, agencies, universities, healthcare organizations, nonprofits and government agencies.
The significance of the awards extends beyond industry recognition; they spotlight work that addresses critical issues and strengthens communities. For instance, Children’s Hospital Colorado was honored for media relations surrounding the region’s first pediatric heart and liver dual-organ transplant, highlighting how strategic communications can raise awareness of life-saving medical breakthroughs. The University of Colorado was recognized for communications that showcase scientific research and university initiatives, demonstrating the role of PR in making complex research accessible to the public. Colorado State University’s storytelling connected Master Gardeners with students who are blind, illustrating the power of narrative to foster inclusion and community engagement.
The Grand Gold Pick Award, the top honor among entries, went to Genus for its PRRS-Resistant Pig Website: PIC Leverages Digital Platform to Drive Awareness. This project also earned a Gold Pick Award in the Digital Platform category, underscoring the growing importance of digital strategies in public relations. SchroderHaus Marketing Communications received the Gold Pick Award for Best Agency - Boutique/Small, and also earned accolades for influencer marketing and social media campaigns, reflecting the evolving skill sets required in today’s communications field.
Other notable winners include the Denver Public Schools Foundation for its Achieve Gala celebrating student leadership, CIG Public Relations for communications supporting the Colfax Bus Rapid Transit project, Linhart Public Relations for campaigns supporting consumer education and business growth, and SideCar Public Relations for highlighting Denver development and community revitalization. These campaigns demonstrate how public relations contributes to civic engagement, economic development and social progress.
PRSA Colorado also recognized individual achievements with special awards. Wendy Manitta Holmes, APR, received the Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award; Tim Carroll, APR, was named Sharon Linhart Public Relations Person of the Year; Jaclyn Allen was honored as Media Professional of the Year; Dani Sturges received the Joe Fuentes Rookie of the Year Award; Danielle Moore was named Jane Dvorak Mentor of the Year; Quinn Kelsey received the Ayers Chapter Service Award; and CIG Public Relations was recognized as PR Team of the Year. These honors underscore the talent and dedication that drive Colorado’s communications industry forward.
The implications of these awards are significant for the broader business and nonprofit community. They set a benchmark for excellence, encouraging organizations to invest in strategic communications that deliver measurable outcomes. Moreover, they highlight the vital role of public relations in navigating complex issues, from healthcare to education to urban development. For those interested in the full list of winners, it is available on the PRSA Colorado website at https://prsacolorado.org/PRSA_Colorado_Awards. More information about PRSA Colorado and its initiatives can be found at https://prsacolorado.org.
