Make a donation on Colorado Gives to ensure the humanities continue to inspire understanding, creativity, and belonging across our state. [fusion_button link="https://www.coloradogives.org/donate/coloradohumanities" enable_hover_text_icon="no" hover_text="" title="" target="_self" link_attributes="" aria_role_button="0" alignment_medium="" alignment_small="" alignment="center" modal="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" color="default" button_gradient_top_color_hover="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" button_gradient_top_color="" button_gradient_bottom_color_hover="" button_gradient_bottom_color="" gradient_start_position="" gradient_end_position="" gradient_type="" radial_direction="" linear_angle="" accent_hover_color="" accent_color="" type="" bevel_color="" bevel_color_hover="" border_top="" border_right="" border_bottom="" border_left="" border_radius_top_left="" border_radius_top_right="" border_radius_bottom_right="" border_radius_bottom_left="" border_hover_color="" border_color="" size="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" fusion_font_family_button_font="" fusion_font_variant_button_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" stretch="default" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" icon="" hover_icon="" icon_position="left" icon_divider="no" hover_transition="none" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""]DONATE[/fusion_button]

Share why the humanities matter to you and your community using this quick form . Your story, work, or program will be featured in our grassroots campaign. Together, we can bring awareness to the depth and breadth of the humanities in our state. [fusion_button link="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZrvSU4bef5a72ctBk8ERfS67wb3wGavOSNu9oYUpZfyLeSA/viewform" enable_hover_text_icon="no" hover_text="" title="" target="_self" link_attributes="" aria_role_button="0" alignment_medium="" alignment_small="" alignment="center" modal="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" color="default" button_gradient_top_color_hover="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" button_gradient_top_color="" button_gradient_bottom_color_hover="" button_gradient_bottom_color="" gradient_start_position="" gradient_end_position="" gradient_type="" radial_direction="" linear_angle="" accent_hover_color="" accent_color="" type="" bevel_color="" bevel_color_hover="" border_top="" border_right="" border_bottom="" border_left="" border_radius_top_left="" border_radius_top_right="" border_radius_bottom_right="" border_radius_bottom_left="" border_hover_color="" border_color="" size="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" fusion_font_family_button_font="" fusion_font_variant_button_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" stretch="default" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" icon="" hover_icon="" icon_position="left" icon_divider="no" hover_transition="none" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""]TELL YOUR STORY[/fusion_button]

Help spread the word through your own networks. Make sure to spread the word with the hashtag #ChampionCH. This option is ideal for those who may not have the time to manage a fundraiser fully but still want to participate. It’s flexible, and you can contribute the level of time and effort that works best for you. Sign up for our Humanities Champion Digest to receive ready-to-go shareable social media posts and talking points . [fusion_button link="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYD0U8vrLhS7S4iBgdjOocfgmPFgbsCGDHpzvNjguefLsRRw/viewform" enable_hover_text_icon="no" hover_text="" title="" target="_self" link_attributes="" aria_role_button="0" alignment_medium="" alignment_small="" alignment="center" modal="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" color="default" button_gradient_top_color_hover="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" button_gradient_top_color="" button_gradient_bottom_color_hover="" button_gradient_bottom_color="" gradient_start_position="" gradient_end_position="" gradient_type="" radial_direction="" linear_angle="" accent_hover_color="" accent_color="" type="" bevel_color="" bevel_color_hover="" border_top="" border_right="" border_bottom="" border_left="" border_radius_top_left="" border_radius_top_right="" border_radius_bottom_right="" border_radius_bottom_left="" border_hover_color="" border_color="" size="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" fusion_font_family_button_font="" fusion_font_variant_button_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" stretch="default" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" icon="" hover_icon="" icon_position="left" icon_divider="no" hover_transition="none" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""]SIGN UP FOR THE HUMANITIES CHAMPION DIGEST[/fusion_button]

Support our #ChampionCH campaign by building a fundraiser in one of these four categories: Keepers of Our Stories Community Connections Champions Knowledge Champions Heritage Champions This is ideal for individuals who are passionate about the humanities and want to take a more active role. Take charge and do outreach in your own communities, set a goal of your choice, and invite others to join. This option involves some time commitment to set up your cause and consistent efforts to drive people to your fundraiser. Colorado Humanities has created a toolkit with a step-by-step guide, sample language, and ready-to-use graphics to make sharing on social media simple. [fusion_button link="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Hx0GfrIsCOZUQKzIiZNGgCiQW9Ts1KQ-?usp=drive_link" enable_hover_text_icon="no" hover_text="" title="" target="_self" link_attributes="" aria_role_button="0" alignment_medium="" alignment_small="" alignment="center" modal="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" color="default" button_gradient_top_color_hover="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" button_gradient_top_color="" button_gradient_bottom_color_hover="" button_gradient_bottom_color="" gradient_start_position="" gradient_end_position="" gradient_type="" radial_direction="" linear_angle="" accent_hover_color="" accent_color="" type="" bevel_color="" bevel_color_hover="" border_top="" border_right="" border_bottom="" border_left="" border_radius_top_left="" border_radius_top_right="" border_radius_bottom_right="" border_radius_bottom_left="" border_hover_color="" border_color="" size="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" fusion_font_family_button_font="" fusion_font_variant_button_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" stretch="default" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" icon="" hover_icon="" icon_position="left" icon_divider="no" hover_transition="none" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""]Build a Fundraiser[/fusion_button]

Selection of finalists typically occurs from late January to late March. Selectors read all books submitted in their assigned category and work on a three-member committee to choose three finalist books. The number of books assigned to a selector varies based on the number of entries submitted in each category. If selectors cannot come to agreement, final overall scores will be used to determine finalists. Selectors may be asked to read up to 25 books. Judging of finalists typically takes place from mid-April to early June. Judges read 3-4 finalist books in their assigned category and work on a three-member committee to choose a Colorado Book Award winner. If judges cannot come to agreement, final overall scores will be used to determine a winner. Selectors and judges do not receive compensation for serving but will receive a complimentary ticket to the Colorado Book Awards ceremony for the year they select or judge, and may keep the books they review. We will be prioritizing new selectors and judges who are qualified to serve. We hope this will allow more people the opportunity to experience the adjudication process. In addition, an individual may serve as both a selector and judge in any given awards year, provided she/he/they adjudicate(s) different categories. Volunteers will also be asked to sign a Code of Conduct policy if they are selected. The Colorado Center for the Book Programs Coordinator will guide selectors and judges through the adjudication process and lead committee discussions. Selectors and judges are asked to come prepared to both contribute and listen in a civil discussion, demonstrating respect for fellow selectors, judges, authors, and publishers. The information about books entered, the adjudication process, and all discussions about entries are considered strictly confidential. Selectors and Judges will receive hard copies of all entries, but if an emergency arises, Colorado Humanities will provide access to a PDF version of the book. To review such digital books, aside from having a verified email address, you will need internet access and a computer, iPad, Nook, Kindle, or other e-reader that handles a PDF file format.

Anthology - A collection of poems, stories, or essays by one or more authors, with a compiler or editor other than the author. Creative Nonfiction & Memoir - A book of nonfiction that uses literary styles and techniques as well as memory, experience, observation, and opinion to create factually accurate narratives. General Nonfiction - A book of nonfiction, including, but not limited to, science, nature, guidebooks, cookbooks, and educational texts. Genre Fiction - A book of fiction that is tied to the plot and follows conventions of genres such as science fiction/fantasy, mystery, thriller, romance, etc.; if enough entries for a specific genre subcategory are received in a given year, a Colorado Book Award will be given in that specific genre. History - A nonfiction book of history, including biographies of persons born earlier than the 20th century. Novel/Novella - A novel is a work of prose fiction with a word count of 40,000 words or more. A novella is a work of prose fiction with a word count between 17,500 and 40,000 words. Pictorial - A book strongly focused on photographs/illustrations by a Colorado photographer/illustrator; books in this category will be judged primarily on their illustrative content and overall book design. Poetry - A book-length collection of poetry by a single writer; chapter books of at least 30 pages are also eligible. Short Story - short story collection. Emergent Readers - A work of fiction or nonfiction for ages birth to 4. Books for this age are mainly read aloud style with engaging illustrations and text. The story is told with few words and encourages children to formulate shapes, letters, and sounds. Early Readers - A work of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry for readers grades K - 2nd. Books can also include easy chapter books and picture books. Characters in the story are of similar age to the reader. Juvenile Literature - A work of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry for readers grades 3rd - 5th. Middle Grade - A work of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry for readers grades 6th - 8th. Young Adult Literature - A work of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry for young adults grades 9th - 12th. Books may be submitted in only one category. The final decision on a book’s category placement will be determined by Colorado Humanities.

Books are reviewed in a two-part process by volunteer selectors and judges from across the state. In the first round of adjudication in February and March, a panel of three selectors reviews all books submitted in a category to determine the finalists (typically three per category). In the second round in April and May, a panel of three judges reviews the finalists and selects a winner. All winners will be announced at the Finalists Celebration and Winners Announcement in July 2025. The 2025 Colorado Book Award includes: Winners: a cash prize and engraved plaque Winners and Finalists: Opportunity to join the Colorado Center for the Book Author Talks https://coloradohumanities.org/programs/ccftb-author-talks/ Statewide publicity surrounding announcement of the Colorado Book Awards Branded promotional materials

FAQs Archive - Colorado Humanities

Q: Submission Requirements

A complete online entry form for each title submitted A submission fee of $60 per entry (payable by credit/debit card) Four (4) copies of each submitted title Important: if your book is nominated as a finalist, Colorado Humanities staff will contact you requesting three (3) additional copies of your book for the second round of judging. Deadline: Submission form, entry fee, and book copies must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025. Send Books to: Colorado Humanities, attn: Colorado Book Awards, 7935 E. Prentice Ave., Suite 450, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 In-Person Drop-offs: If desired, books may be dropped off in person on select days at our office. Please note: Copies of submitted books become the property of Colorado Humanities and will not be returned. Books will be donated to communities that promote literacy and learning throughout Colorado following the judging process. Disclaimer: Members of the staff and board of Colorado Humanities are not eligible to submit books to or serve as selectors and judges for the Colorado Book Awards.