From the Nominator

The Coloradan grabs a reader at first glance. As a tiny magazine—only 10 in. tall by 5 in. wide— it’s noticed right away, as it breaks from a traditional publication mold. And once that reader opens it, they are flooded with highly visual stories of triumph, innovation, and persistence. These stories can be told in numbers, graphics, or photographs. Or they can be told long-form, mixing depth with details. In 2025, the magazine covered subjects both unique and intriguing: a violin in space, living sidewalks, animal stripes, dining hall sushi, and social media detoxes. With an extensive reach of 200,000 households, this magazine tells stories about the entire university that appeal to a range of readers. “My days at CU Boulder were some of the best in my life,” one alum wrote to us last year. We want our magazine to remind others of similar periods in their lives. The magazine is respected on campus as the widest-reaching publication for the University of Colorado Boulder. Alums love it, faculty love it, and administrators love it. We have earned the respect and trust of our CU community.

From the Judges

This magazine stands out not only for its size (10 in. by 5 in.) but also for its content and dynamic design. Judges appreciated the fact that the magazine can be tucked into a pocket or bag and that its smaller size enables it to be mailed at the nonprofit letter rate, saving significant costs. The content is engaging, with stories covering the patterns of animal stripes, the playing of a violin in space, and the secret life of the university’s first female faculty member.