The Colorado Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) hosted its annual Gold Pick Awards May 6 at the Marriott City Center in downtown Denver, where nearly 50 awards were presented to recognize the state's top communications professionals, public relations firms, organizations and business leaders.

the evening included nine special awards, including the Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented to Jeffrey P. Julin, APR, president and principal, MGA Communications, Inc. Amy Sufak, president, Red Energy Public Relations, was named PR Person of the Year. Among the other special awards: Erika Sauerwein, Julie Scott and Jennifer Tilliss each received the Chapter Service Award. Ken Ross, president and CEO of Pinnacol Assurance, was recognized as Business Person of the Year for his commitment and service to the profession.

Rachael Tucker Dorr of Subaru was presented with the first-ever Joe Fuentes Rookie of the Year award. Fuentes, who lost his battle with cancer in March, was a longtime PRSA Colorado member, and well known in the Denver media and PR communities. A tribute at event included a video featuring many of Fuentes' friends and colleagues remembering the five values Fuentes displayed daily throughout his life: professional excellence, a sense of community, mentoring, family and ethics/integrity.

In addition to individual awards, the top public relations campaigns and tactics from the past year were recognized with either Gold Pick or Silver Pick awards.

The 2010 Grand Gold Pick - selected by judges as the best of the best among all campaign entry finalists - was awarded to Linhart Public Relations for its campaign with Denver-based Red Robin Gourmet Burgers. Red Robin and Linhart Public Relations transformed a one-day, single-city Kids' Cook-Off Championship into a nationwide news and consumer engagement driver, achieving the best results in the event's history.

For a complete list of winners, click here. To view photos of the evening by Bridget Dvorak, click here.
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