Best Behind-the-Scenes Political Power Brokers 2005 | Jared Polis, Tim Gill, Rutt Bridges and Pat Stryker | Best of Denver® | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Denver | Westword
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Best Behind-the-Scenes Political Power Brokers

Jared Polis, Tim Gill, Rutt Bridges and Pat Stryker

With so much attention being paid to high-profile contests like the Salazar-Coors face-off, few people concentrated on races for the Colorado Senate and House of Representatives -- with four notable exceptions. Jared Polis, Tim Gill, Rutt Bridges and Pat Stryker, a quartet of well-heeled lefties, poured a total of almost $2 million into campaigns for these offices -- a staggering sum, given past election coffers. But you get what you pay for -- particularly when the other side doesn't know you're in the market. While Republicans made gains in most states across the country (especially the red ones), Democrats achieved majorities in both houses of the Colorado Legislature for the first time in forty years. It wouldn't have added up that way without this fearsome foursome.

Best Online Scourge

Mike Zinna and Fonzi

Since copping the "Best Online Gadfly" award last year for his eye-poking, gossip-dishing website, Mike Zinna has moved from the scandal-mongering fringe to the center of the political upheaval in Jefferson County. His efforts to expose "Pinky T," the insiders who anonymously faxed him defamatory stuff about high-ranking county officials, have generated lawsuits and headlines. Many of his favorite targets in county government have resigned or been fired in recent months, but Zinna keeps expanding as a cyber-scourge. Recently, he launched a companion site devoted to the follies of Arvada; last fall he'd videotaped Mayor Ken Fellman removing political campaign signs. Technically, Zinna's partner in scoops, Fonzi, is a German shepherd, but don't be fooled: These guys can bite.

Best Online Scourge

Mike Zinna and Fonzi

Since copping the "Best Online Gadfly" award last year for his eye-poking, gossip-dishing website, Mike Zinna has moved from the scandal-mongering fringe to the center of the political upheaval in Jefferson County. His efforts to expose "Pinky T," the insiders who anonymously faxed him defamatory stuff about high-ranking county officials, have generated lawsuits and headlines. Many of his favorite targets in county government have resigned or been fired in recent months, but Zinna keeps expanding as a cyber-scourge. Recently, he launched a companion site devoted to the follies of Arvada; last fall he'd videotaped Mayor Ken Fellman removing political campaign signs. Technically, Zinna's partner in scoops, Fonzi, is a German shepherd, but don't be fooled: These guys can bite.

Best Local Blogger

Rake's Progress

"This is not what I wanted to be when I grew up," confesses Traver Kauffman, the blogger behind Rake's Progress in his "one-line bio," but we're awfully glad that this is what he became. Proving that blogs can be both entertaining and erudite, the literate, literary Rake's Progress raises the level of discourse around Denver, and in the process receives raves throughout the blogosphere.

Best Local Blogger

Rake's Progress

"This is not what I wanted to be when I grew up," confesses Traver Kauffman, the blogger behind Rake's Progress in his "one-line bio," but we're awfully glad that this is what he became. Proving that blogs can be both entertaining and erudite, the literate, literary Rake's Progress raises the level of discourse around Denver, and in the process receives raves throughout the blogosphere.

Best College Journalists

Megan Fromm
Mesa State College
Heath Urie
University of Northern Colorado

Many journalism students graduate without picking up much real-world reporting experience -- but Megan Fromm and Heath Urie are notable exceptions. Fromm, who edited the Mesa State Criterion, sued her college for the minutes of a meeting that was closed but shouldn't have been; Urie, the student in charge of the UNC Mirror, filed suit against the school's board of trustees, alleging that the paper's funds had been cut in retaliation against its reporting. Both students emerged victorious after demonstrating the kind of persistence and integrity that should serve their future readers very well indeed.

Best College Journalists

Megan Fromm
Mesa State College
Heath Urie
University of Northern Colorado

Many journalism students graduate without picking up much real-world reporting experience -- but Megan Fromm and Heath Urie are notable exceptions. Fromm, who edited the Mesa State Criterion, sued her college for the minutes of a meeting that was closed but shouldn't have been; Urie, the student in charge of the UNC Mirror, filed suit against the school's board of trustees, alleging that the paper's funds had been cut in retaliation against its reporting. Both students emerged victorious after demonstrating the kind of persistence and integrity that should serve their future readers very well indeed.

Best Monument to Free Speech

Dalton Trumbo Fountain
University of Colorado

Dalton Trumbo was a true talent and, as a onetime member of the Communist Party who refused to rat out his fellow travelers, a true victim of a political witchhunt that burned through the University of Colorado fifty years ago. Long may his fountain stand on the Boulder campus, as a reminder that some issues are worth fighting for.

Best Monument to Free Speech

Dalton Trumbo Fountain
University of Colorado

Dalton Trumbo was a true talent and, as a onetime member of the Communist Party who refused to rat out his fellow travelers, a true victim of a political witchhunt that burned through the University of Colorado fifty years ago. Long may his fountain stand on the Boulder campus, as a reminder that some issues are worth fighting for.

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