The Colorado Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Colorado) has announced the winners of its 2026 Gold Pick Awards, honoring excellence in public relations and communications across the state. The awards, established in 1966, recognize outstanding campaigns, agencies, and professionals for their strategic planning, creativity, execution, and measurable results. This year's winners represent a diverse range of organizations, including corporations, agencies, universities, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies, highlighting the broad impact of public relations work in Colorado.
The Grand Gold Pick Award, the highest honor among the year's entries, went to Genus for its work on the PRRS-Resistant Pig Website for PIC. The project, which leveraged a digital platform to drive awareness, also earned a Gold Pick Award in the Digital Platform category. SchroderHaus Marketing Communications received the Gold Pick Award for Best Agency - Boutique/Small, and also earned awards for influencer marketing and social media campaigns. These top honors underscore the growing importance of digital and social strategies in effective communications.
Other organizations recognized for their outstanding communications work included Children's Hospital Colorado for media relations surrounding the region's first pediatric heart and liver dual-organ transplant, and the University of Colorado for communications highlighting scientific research and university initiatives. Colorado State University was honored for storytelling that connected Master Gardeners with students who are blind, while the Denver Public Schools Foundation received recognition for its Achieve Gala celebrating student leadership and achievement. CIG Public Relations was recognized for communications supporting the Colfax Bus Rapid Transit project, Linhart Public Relations for campaigns supporting consumer education, business growth, and community engagement, and SideCar Public Relations for campaigns highlighting Denver development, housing, and community revitalization.
In addition to campaign awards, PRSA Colorado honored individuals and teams for their professional achievements. Wendy Manitta Holmes, APR, received the Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award; Tim Carroll, APR, was named the Sharon Linhart Public Relations Person of the Year; Jaclyn Allen was recognized as Media Professional of the Year; Dani Sturges received the Joe Fuentes Rookie of the Year award; Danielle Moore was honored as the Jane Dvorak Mentor of the Year; Quinn Kelsey received the Ayers Chapter Service Award; and CIG Public Relations was named PR Team of the Year. These awards celebrate the talent and dedication of Colorado's public relations professionals.
The complete list of 2026 Gold Pick Award winners and special award honorees is available on the PRSA Colorado website at https://prsacolorado.org/PRSA_Colorado_Awards. The awards were presented and produced by SideCar Public Relations, with additional support from PRSA Colorado's annual platinum sponsor, Linhart Public Relations. PRSA Colorado, founded in 1957, advances the public relations profession through professional development, networking, ethical practices, and leadership opportunities. The chapter serves communications professionals across Colorado's corporate, agency, nonprofit, government, and education sectors. For more information, visit https://prsacolorado.org.
The recognition of these campaigns and professionals highlights the vital role of strategic communications in addressing complex issues, from healthcare and education to community development and business growth. For readers, these awards signal best practices and innovative approaches that can inspire communications strategies in their own organizations. For the industry, the diverse range of winners demonstrates the expanding scope of public relations and its measurable impact on society. As organizations continue to navigate an evolving media landscape, the Gold Pick Awards serve as a benchmark for excellence and a reminder of the power of effective storytelling.
