Three Courier writers win Colorado Press Association awards

The Colorado Press Association announced that three Left Hand Valley Courier writers have received awards for the 2022 Colorado Better News Media Contest.

Kristin Alger, Jack Carlough and Mary Wolbach Lopert have won awards for their work on the Courier. Alger has been writing for the Courier since 2022, though she has a wealth of experience in journalism. Carlough, a Silver Creek High School graduate who earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado, College of Media, Communication and Information in 2022, began writing for the Courier while still in college. Lopert is one of the founders of the Courier, and retired after 25 years on April 1, 2022.

Alger's articles submitted were "Brewer's Cooperation a Recipe for Success," published on Sept. 21, 2022, and "Niwotian Completes Ultra Marathon," published on Sept. 28, 2022. "Brewer's Cooperation a Recipe for Success" described the teamwork between Bootstrap Brewing and the Fritz Family Brewers at Rock & Rails. "Niwotian Completes Ultra Marathon," reported on Pete Brandes' completion of the Run Rabbit Run Ultra Marathon on Sept. 17, 2022.

Carlough's articles submitted were both the Student Athlete of the Week feature, sponsored by Bank of Estes Park. Nia Terrell was profiled on Nov. 23, 2022 and Vithal Arya was profiled on Dec. 14, 2022.

Lopert's articles submitted were two of her "It's A Laughing Matter" humor columns: "21 Ways You Know You Live in a Small Town," published on Jan. 12, 2022, and "There's Nothing Like a Good Plan B," published on Feb. 23, 2022.

Awards are made by class based on newspaper circulation, and are judged by out-of-state journalists. The winning articles, placement, and categories will be announced at the awards ceremony during the Colorado Press Association's 145th Annual Convention in Denver on Sept. 23, 2023.