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.
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 [...]