WyoFile tops 2024 Top of the Rockies journalism awards

WyoFile won 33 Top of the Rockies journalism awards for its 2023 reporting. That’s a WyoFile record and more than any other newsroom of any size in the four-state competition. 

The nonprofit news organization’s accolades included 15 first-place awards, 10 second-place awards and eight third places in the contest administered by the Society of Professional Journalists’ Colorado chapter. Contest judges honored all six staff reporters, two editors, four freelance contributors and a columnist for work published on WyoFile.com. 

“For WyoFile’s entire editorial team to receive recognition for their work speaks to our organization’s deep commitment to provide Wyoming with high-quality journalism,” said Matthew Copeland, WyoFile’s chief executive and editor. “And none of that would be possible without support from our readers and members.” 

This year’s contest had more than 1,900 entries from more than 80 news outlets and 30 freelancers from Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico, according to SPJ. 

“The competition grows each year, and with that, we honor outstanding journalism throughout the four-state region,” said contest coordinator Deb Hurley Brobst. “It’s an honor to recognize the hard work of these journalists.”

General Assignment Reporter Katie Klingsporn was responsible for six of WyoFile’s 15 first place wins. WyoFile State Politics and Government Reporter Maggie Mullen, Wildlife and Natural Resources Reporter Mike Koshmrl, Health and Public Safety Reporter Madelyn Beck, Natural Resources Reporter Angus M. Thuermer Jr., Deputy Managing Editor Tennessee Watson, Managing Editor Joshua Wolfson, freelance illustrator Eda Uzunlar, freelance photographer Mike Vanata and columnist Kerry Drake took first place as well. 

Mullen won first place in politics news for “‘Election Integrity and Security’ facts vanish from state website.” Beck won best legal feature for “Judge Melissa Owens, arbiter of Wyoming’s abortion ban suit.” Klingsporn’s “Delivery Desert” series took first in two categories — health feature and public service journalism. Koshmrl won best agriculture and environment feature for “How to decimate a mule deer herd: A case study in Wyoming.” Mullen and Wolfson co-bylined “Judge dismisses lawsuit against UW sorority, transgender sister,” which won for breaking news. Watson’s investigation of a jail death in Goshen County took first in the social justice category. “X Marks The Spot: WyoFile visits the contested corner,” produced by Vanata, Watson and Thuermer won best news videography. 

In notes, judges called WyoFile’s work “well-written,” “well-researched” and “vibrantly and boldly reported.” 

“This is the sort of reporting that directly connects to change,” one judge said. Others commended the “multiple points of view” and “voices” present in WyoFile’s reporting.

WyoFile placed in a range of categories including headline writing, business news, science and technology news, sports reporting, food reporting, mental health and education.  

Top of the Rockies wasn’t WyoFile’s only win this year. Beck recently took third place for health policy reporting in the Association of Health Care Journalists’ 2023 Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism for her series “Withheld.” 

“Wyoming is so fortunate to have the amazing reporting team at WyoFile covering our state,” WyoFile Board President Emilene Ostlind said. “This incredible level of recognition from the four-state Top of the Rockies journalism contest is an affirmation of their skill, dedication, and ethic. Wyoming is a better place because of these journalists’ intrepid reporting, fearless investigation, and deeply human storytelling.”