2026 Call for Entries
Awards of Excellence — recognizing creativity and originality in Colorado radio and television.
5:00 p.m. MST
The Ritz-Carlton Denver
Annually, broadcasters from every corner of the state are honored for their best work at the CBA’s awards gala. The competition is open to all commercial and public stations licensed for broadcast in Colorado.
All deadlines are final. Late entries will not be accepted. No exceptions.
Radio Categories
Community Affairs
R1 — Best Public Service Announcement
A short informational message meant to raise the audience’s awareness about an important issue. One (1) minute maximum.
R2 — Best Community Service Campaign
Attach one page summary of campaign, other supporting media materials (social, web, etc.) and the aired spots. Five (5) minutes maximum.
R3 — Best Station Sponsored Community Event
Attach one page description of the event and the aired spots. Five (5) minutes maximum.
R4 — Best Public Affairs Program
Programs on current issues of societal concerns, community or general public interest. Thirty (30) minutes maximum.
News
R5 — Best Regularly Scheduled Newscast
Entries were captured on two previously announced dates and/or the alternate date. Submit both newscasts as one uploaded file. Entry should contain the same time-slotted newscasts for both dates submitted (i.e. morning news or afternoon news). The two newscasts count as one entry for this category. Stations may submit for multiple dayparts; each pair of newscasts counts as one submission. Include entire newscasts without commercials. Combine both newscasts into a single file and submit as one entry. Sixty (60) minutes maximum.
R6 — Best News Feature, Report or Series
Reporting of a single or multi-part feature news story or topic. Five (5) minutes maximum.
R7 — Best News Coverage of a Single Event
Coverage of a single news event. Entry may include composite of coverage. Ten (10) minutes maximum.
Promotion
R8 — Best On-Air Contest for a Station
Submit composite of single contest audio (i.e. promos, live, etc.). Attach one page description of contest (optional). Five (5) minutes maximum.
R9 — Best Station Imaging Campaign
Submit liners and promos. Five (5) minutes maximum.
R10 — Best Station Promotion/Marketing Campaign
Submit compilation of audio and other media utilized in campaign. Five (5) minutes maximum.
Programming & Talent
Entries R11–R19 may be a composite of multiple airchecks edited to five (5) minutes maximum per entry, unless specified otherwise. The broadcast program must be initiated in Colorado and unique to the local market. Identify the show and the personality featured.
R11 — Best Morning Show
See Programming & Talent requirements above.
R12 — Best Midday Show
See Programming & Talent requirements above.
R13 — Best Afternoon Show
See Programming & Talent requirements above.
R14 — Best Evening Show
See Programming & Talent requirements above.
R15 — Best Station Personality
One winner will be selected in each market from the winners in categories R11 through R14. There is no fee or entry for this category.
R16 — Best News/Talk Show Host or Team
See Programming & Talent requirements above.
R17 — Best Sports Coverage by an Individual or Team
See Programming & Talent requirements above.
R18 — Best Sports Feature
Reporting of a single or multi-part feature sports story or topic. Composite entries accepted. Fifteen (15) minutes maximum.
R19 — Best Regularly Scheduled Entertainment Program
See Programming & Talent requirements above.
Sales & Production
R20 — Best Radio Commercial for an Advertiser
Entries must be written, produced and edited entirely by the station. One (1) minute maximum.
R21 — Best Sales Campaign for an Advertiser
Attach one page summary of campaign, other supporting media materials (social, web, etc.) and the aired spots. Five (5) minutes maximum.
R22 — Best Sales Event or Live Remote Broadcast
If applicable, attach supporting media materials (social, web, etc.). Include spots and/or aircheck from event. Five (5) minutes maximum.
Public Radio Stations Only (all markets)
R23 — Best Mini-Documentary or Series
Submit entire documentary; edit for time limit. Sixty (60) minutes maximum.
R24 — Best News Special or Public Affairs Special
Submit entire special; edit for time limit. Thirty (30) minutes maximum.
Digital & Social
R25 — Best Use of Digital/Social Media
Only one attachment allowed. Combine one paragraph description with web promotions, social media, text messaging, listener-supplied media or anything digital used outside of regular broadcast in a single PDF presentation.
R26 — Best Station Website
Submit the station’s URL in the “Description” window.
R27 — Best Radio Podcast
Podcast must be associated with an FCC-licensed Colorado broadcast radio station. Independent podcasts will not be accepted. Content must be original (not a broadcast archive), free for the audience to access, and the podcast must have a minimum of five original episodes. Edited or composite submissions are acceptable. Thirty (30) minutes maximum.
Radio Station of the Year: See Rule 15 for details.
Television Categories
Community Affairs
T1 — Best Public Service Announcement
A short informational message meant to raise the audience’s awareness about an important issue. One (1) minute maximum.
T2 — Best Community Service Campaign
Attach one page summary of campaign, other supporting media materials (social, web, etc.) and the aired spots. Five (5) minutes maximum.
T3 — Best Public Affairs Program
Programs on current issues of societal concerns, community or general public interest. Thirty (30) minutes maximum.
Promotion
T4 — Best Station Promotion/Marketing Campaign
Submit compilation of video and other media utilized in campaign. Five (5) minutes maximum.
T5 — Best Station Promo
Announcements that promote a news/station image, a specific story, stories or series, including sports, weather and/or franchise stories. This includes promos for news specials, breaking weather, sports specials, etc. One (1) minute maximum.
Station Programming
T6 — Best Single or Series Program or News Magazine
Submit program; edit for time limit. Thirty (30) minutes maximum.
T7 — Best Sports Coverage, Feature or Program
Entry must be outside of a regularly scheduled newscast. Composite entries accepted. Fifteen (15) minutes maximum.
T8 — Best Documentary
Entry must be outside of a regularly scheduled newscast. Submit documentary; edit for time limit. Thirty (30) minutes maximum.
Sales & Production
T9 — Best Television Commercial for an Advertiser
Entries must be written, produced and edited entirely by the station. One (1) minute maximum.
T10 — Best Sales Campaign for an Advertiser
Attach one page summary of campaign, other supporting media materials (social, web, etc.) and the aired spots. Five (5) minutes maximum.
News
T11 — Best Feature News Report
Reporting of a single or multi-part feature news story or topic aired within a newscast. Edit for time. Five (5) minutes maximum.
T12 — Best General Assignment Report, within 24 hours
Coverage of a single news story or topic aired within a regularly scheduled newscast which is assigned, shot, edited and aired within a 24-hour period. Entry may include live and/or taped elements. Five (5) minutes maximum.
T13 — Best Hard News, Spot News Report, within 24 Hours
Coverage of a single unanticipated news event that is shot, edited and produced within 24 hours of a newscast. Entry may include multiple live and/or taped elements and online content. Five (5) minutes maximum.
T14 — Best Breaking News Coverage Under Deadline Pressure
Coverage of a single unanticipated news event aired simultaneously with the event being covered, either within or outside of a regularly scheduled newscast. Entry may include multiple live or taped elements. Five (5) minutes maximum.
T15 — Best Video Essay with No Narrative
Entry must have no narrative. Submit essay; edit for time. Five (5) minutes maximum.
T16 — Best Regularly Scheduled Newscast
Entries were captured on two previously announced dates and/or the alternate date. Submit both newscasts as one uploaded file. Entry should contain the same time-slotted newscasts for both dates submitted (i.e. morning news or afternoon news). The two newscasts count as one entry for this category. Stations may submit for multiple dayparts; each pair of newscasts counts as one submission. Include entire newscasts without commercials. Combine both newscasts into a single file and submit as one entry. One hundred twenty (120) minutes maximum.
T17 — Best Investigative Reporting
Includes single or series reporting. Submission can be a composite. Thirty (30) minutes maximum.
Talent
T18 — Best News Anchor or Team
Five (5) minutes maximum.
T19 — Best Weathercaster
Five (5) minutes maximum.
T20 — Best Sportscaster
Five (5) minutes maximum.
T21 — Best Specialty Reporter
Five (5) minutes maximum.
T22 — Best Photojournalist
A compilation of 3–5 events. Five (5) minutes maximum.
Public Television Stations Only (all markets)
T23 — Best Mini-Documentary or Series
Submit entire documentary; edit for time limit. Sixty (60) minutes maximum.
T24 — Best News Special or Public Affairs Special
Submit entire special; edit for time limit. Thirty (30) minutes maximum.
T25 — Best Interstitial Programming
Non-commercial “filler” programming between two programs where commercials are not permitted. Submit entire program; edit for time limit. Ten (10) minutes maximum.
Digital & Social
T26 — Best Use of Digital/Social Media
Only one attachment allowed. Combine one paragraph description with web promotions, social media, text messaging, listener-supplied media or anything digital used outside of regular broadcast in a single PDF presentation.
T27 — Best Station Website
Submit the station’s URL in the “Description” window.
Television Station of the Year: See Rule 15 for details.
Rules
- All entries are due by 5:00 p.m. (MST) on Friday, January 15, 2027.
- All entries must have been produced and broadcast over-the-air during the 2026 calendar year, January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026.
- All entries must be written, edited and produced by the station in their entirety (raw, outsourced voice-overs are the only exception). Entries produced by ad agencies are not eligible. Voice-tracked programs and shows provided by talent outside of Colorado are not eligible. Entries using Artificial Intelligence (AI) hosts are not allowed.
- Complete online entry forms in full. Be accurate and complete with your title of entry and entrants, as information provided will be publicized exactly as entered for winning entries. Call letters and category titles are automatically included on plaques. Please refrain from redundant entry titles (i.e. “KCBA’s Best Station Promo”).
- Payment must be received for all entries by Monday, January 18, 2027. Entries without payment or with incomplete entry materials by the due date will be disqualified.
- Stations may not enter coverage of any statewide broadcast fundraiser involving all Colorado radio and television (i.e. COVID, Wildfire Relief, etc.). Individual station efforts outside of statewide campaigns are acceptable.
- A single entry cannot be submitted in more than one category, regardless of different markets or stations. An excerpt from a long-form entry may be submitted as long as it does not make up more than one-third (1/3) of the long-form entry.
- All stations are limited to six (6) individual entries per category.
- If only one station submits in any category across all markets, with no like-market or language competition, that entry will still be judged and scored. The average score of all first-place winners in like-market categories will set the required minimum score for a single entry to achieve a first-place win. These wins count toward Station of the Year points.
- All entries must be identified and associated with one set of call letters or school name for the Future Broadcasters Award.
- All entries must be submitted and uploaded to Entries Express. Entries without a corresponding upload in the Entries Express system will be disqualified. Each entry allows only one audio/video upload. If an entry has multiple files, combine them into one upload. No third-party audio/video hosting systems are allowed. Mail-in entries will not be accepted.
- Some categories allow attachments to provide supporting entry materials. Attachments are allowed only in PDF format.
- There is no entry fee for Best Station Personality (R15), Station of the Year, Rex Howell Broadcaster of the Year or Harry W. Hoth Public Service Award.
- Categories R23, R24, T23, T24 and T25 are for public radio and television only.
- Station of the Year awards are determined by the total points earned by an individual station across all categories. The station with the highest total is the winner in that station’s respective market. In a tie, the total number of first-place recognitions will determine the winner. If that does not resolve the tie, the station with the best finish in Community Affairs will be declared Station of the Year (R01–R04 for radio; T01–T03 for television). Any station with no competition in a market must achieve a total score greater than or equal to that market’s competed-for Station of the Year to also be recognized.
First Place = 5 points; Second Place = 3 points. - Entry fees will not be refunded for any reason, unless otherwise noted.
- Judging panels are created from voluntary broadcasting peers outside Colorado, unless otherwise noted. The judges’ decisions are final.
- All categories include a separate competition for Spanish-language entries. If only one Spanish-language entry is received in any category and market, or if all entries are from one station, Rule 9 will be invoked.
- Disputes of any kind about this program will be reviewed by the CBA Awards Committee.
- If you cannot attend the ceremony to pick up your award and/or certificate, you may arrange pickup from the CBA office after the ceremony at no cost. Requests to mail awards and/or certificates to a station will be honored after the station or award recipient pays shipping costs.
Special Recognition Awards
Two special recognition awards are given to individual broadcasters in radio and television who are nominated by their peers via written presentations. A PDF letter should be submitted using the CBA’s digital entry platform, giving the nominee’s name, the award title and a statement of the exemplary work performed in the community. These awards may or may not be given each year. There are no entry fees. Individuals may not win the same award in consecutive years. Only one individual will be recognized for each award.
The Rex Howell Broadcaster of the Year Award
Rex Howell was a pioneer Colorado broadcaster with service both on the Front Range and the Western Slope. He was a driving force behind, and cofounder of, the Colorado Broadcasters Association in 1949. Rex was a dreamer and leader who followed his dreams with solid action and skill. This award will be presented to someone actively engaged in Colorado radio or television broadcasting. Nominees may be on- or off-air staff members. Emphasis will focus on an individual who, through leadership, skill and dedication, is advancing the broadcast industry in our state and nation. Prior-year winners are not eligible for at least one year.
The Harry W. Hoth Public Service Award
Named for Colorado Springs radio and television veteran broadcaster and former CBA President Harry W. Hoth on the occasion of his 50th year in broadcasting, this award honors a broadcaster who sustains public service to their community, state and nation. Nominees can be present or former Colorado radio and television broadcasters, on or off air. Emphasis will be placed on services performed during their time in Colorado radio or television and a strong history of dedicated public service to broadcast and non-broadcast organizations. Prior-year winners are not eligible for at least one year.
Future Broadcasters Award
This category gives students attending Colorado high schools and colleges an opportunity to be recognized for broadcast proficiency. All Colorado high school and college radio and/or television programs are candidates. Each school’s radio and television station may submit up to three entries per station at no charge. Entries must be submitted through the CBA online entry platform by a designated faculty member or advisor.
Students must choose from the existing radio or television categories, excluding R15 and Station of the Year, and content must have been written and produced during the 2026–2027 school year. School announcements or podcasts are acceptable. All Awards of Excellence rules apply except Rules 2, 5, 9, 13 and 15. Four winners will be selected—one radio and one television winner from the high school and college entries—by a panel of CBA-appointed judges. Student winners will receive an Award of Excellence plaque at the gala. Winners will be notified in March and may attend with up to one guest at no charge.
Markets and Entry Fees
Television Member Fees
| Market | Cities | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Metro | Denver metro area | $52 |
| Non-Metro | Colorado Springs and Pueblo | $46 |
| Small | Grand Junction and all other television markets | $40 |
Radio Member Fees
| Market | Cities | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Metro | Boulder, Denver, Englewood, Morrison, Thornton | $35 |
| Major | Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Greeley, Johnstown, Longmont, Loveland, Manitou Springs, Pueblo, Security, Windsor | $30 |
| Medium | Alamosa, Aspen, Avon, Breckenridge, Canon City, Cortez, Craig, Delta, Dillon, Durango, Fort Morgan, Frisco, Glenwood Springs, La Junta, Lamar, Montrose, Rifle, Starkville, Steamboat Springs, Sterling, Trinidad, Vail | $20 |
| Small | All other radio markets | $20 |
Non-Member Fee
| Market | Fee |
|---|---|
| All | $90 |
Notification
Station managers will be notified by the CBA before the awards ceremony if their station has received a nomination in a specific category. A nomination means the station will receive either a First Place or Second Place award in that category. Award of Excellence plaques are presented to First Place winners. A Certificate of Merit is provided for Second Place.
