COA is the highest honor bestowed by Colorado Press Women upon members who have distinguished themselves within and beyond their profession. The recipient is then entered into competition with COA’s from other states for recognition as the NFPW Communicator of Achievement. This honor recognizes exceptional achievement in the communications field, service to CPW and NFPW and to the community.
- 2021 Karen Porchert Petersen
- 2020 Sandy Michel Nance*
- 2019 Donna Bryson
- 2017 Ruth Anna
- 2016 Carol Anderson
- 2015 Barbara “Bobbi” Gigone *
- 2014 Sandy Graham
- 2013 Mary Alice Parmelee
- 2012 Gay Porter DeNileon
- 2011 Teresa Ford
- 2010 Ann Lockhart **
- 2009 Lee Anne Peck
- 2008 Judi Buehrer **
- 2007 Marilyn Saltzman
- 2006 Joyce Davis
- 2005 Sandy Nance
- 2004 Marilyn Saltzman
- 2003 Miriam Goldberg
- 2002 Judy Taylor
- 2001 None
- 1999-2000 Lori Rapp
- 1998 Rosann Doran
- 1997 Sandy Graham
- 1996 Carole McKelvey
- 1995 Juliet Wittman
- 1994 Marlys Duran
- 1993 Ruth Anna
- 1992 Glennys McPhilimy
- 1991 Marilyn Saltzman
- 1990 Patricia Petty
- 1989 Miriam Goldberg
- 1988 None
- 1987 Mary Eshbaugh Hayes
- 1986 Ann Lockhart
- 1985 Ann Feeney
- 1984 Wilma Buck Gager
- 1983 Ruth Gillespie Lehman
- 1982 Barbara Gigone
- 1981 Helene Wentzel
- 1980 June Valentine Barker
- 1979 Joanne Easley Arnold *
- 1978 Kathy Piper *
- 1977 Hassell Bradley
- 1976 Reynelda Muse
- 1975 Kay Woestendiek
- 1974 Leatha Flanders
- 1973 Sue Mosier
- 1972 Lucille Hastings
- 1971 Olga Curtis
- 1970 Anne Thompson
- 1969 Vera Chance
- 1968 Helen Cudworth
- 1967 Virginia Green Millikin
- 1966 Anna Petteys
- 1965 Goldianne Thompson
- 1964 Helen Lowrie Marshall
- 1963 Nell Womack Evans
- 1960-62 None
- 1959 Jane Sterling (Doris Hilton)
* Also named National Communicator of Achievement
** Also named Runnerup, National Communicator of Achievement
Sandy Graham, 2014 Winner
Sandy Graham has parlayed a successful journalism career into grant writing for a beloved Colorado institution, the Children's Museum of Denver. While the transition may have surprised some people, Sandy saw it has an opportunity [...]
Mary Alice Parmelee, 2013 Winner
An editorial innovator, inspiring leader, patience of a saint, the most ethical person I know, walks her talk, a big heart, extraordinary sense of humor. This is how colleagues and friends describe Mary Alice Parmelee, [...]
Gay Porter DeNileon, 2012 Winner
We all know what two molecules of hydrogen and one of oxygen make. For Colorado's 2012 Communicator of Achievement Gay Porter DeNileon, H2O has made the main ingredient in her successful career. Graduating from the [...]
Teresa Ford, 2011 Winner
When Teresa Ford completed her bachelor's degree in social science from Colorado State University she had absolutely no idea where to go with it. Puzzling over her future, the young graduate got advice from her [...]
Ann Lockhart, 2010 Winner for Colorado and National Runnerup
Name a major public health issue that made state or national headlines from the 1970s through the 1990s, and Colorado Press Women's Communicator of Achievement likely was in the midst of the brouhaha. During her [...]
Lee Anne Peck, 2009 Winner
"Honey, don't go into journalism. Take your talents as an artist and go work for Hallmark." This was not an off-hand remark from a casual acquaintance to Lee Anne Peck, Colorado Press Women's 2009 Communicator [...]