By Sarah Olivier
We are accepting submissions for the 2026 Colorado Book Awards, presented by Colorado Humanities & Center for the Book, the Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the Denver Project for Humanistic Inquiry. Books published between November 1, 2024 and December 31, 2025 are eligible, and the submission deadline is March 22, 2026.
Submission categories include Anthology, Children’s Literature, Creative Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, General Fiction, Genre Fiction, History, Poetry, and Young Adult Literature.
A primary contributor to the book must currently reside in Colorado. Independently published works are welcome. All entries must have a copyright and an ISBN, and professional copyediting is strongly recommended.
Volunteer Judges Needed
Colorado Center for the Book invites applications for Colorado Book Awards judges. Volunteers participate in a review process that includes reading up-and-coming works from Colorado’s literary community and engaging with panels of fellow judges, including scholars, librarians, booksellers, teachers, and writers from across the state. From April to August, judges choose finalist books and winners in Colorado Book Award categories. Judges do not receive compensation for serving but will receive a complimentary ticket to the Colorado Book Awards celebration and may keep the books they review.
Learn more at https://coloradohumanities.org/programs/colorado-book-awards/.
About Colorado Humanities and Center for the Book
Colorado Humanities, home of the Colorado Center for the Book, works to inspire a love of reading and writing, encourage the exploration of ideas, and deepen appreciation for Colorado’s multifaceted cultural heritage. Through dialogue, storytelling, and strong community partnerships, we strengthen the public humanities and help ensure that cultural resources are preserved and shared for generations to come. Colorado Humanities is affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Library of Congress Center for the Book, and the Smithsonian Institution. To learn more, visit coloradohumanities.org.
About the Metropolitan State University of Denver
MSU Denver’s mission is to provide a high-quality, accessible, enriching education that prepares students for successful careers, postgraduate education and lifelong learning in a multicultural, global and technological society. To fulfill its mission, our diverse University community engages the greater Denver community in scholarly inquiry, creative activity and the application of knowledge. Learn more at https://www.msudenver.edu/mission/.
To learn more, partner, or sponsor the Colorado Book Awards, please visit coloradohumanities.org or contact cba@coloradohumanities.org or 303.894.7951.
Sarah Olivier, Ph.D. is Executive Director, Colorado Humanities