If you’re like us, the past weeks and months have rolled by in a whirl of deadlines, virtual meetings, and sourdough accidents. It can be hard to stop and appreciate good news when the world is changing so quickly. But, stop and pause we must, which made last night particularly special: We’re excited to share that 5280 picked up six awards—the most of any publication competing—at the 2020 City & Regional Magazine Awards.

For the second time in three years, we took home the top prize: General Excellence in the largest circulation category, which included a group of renowned finalists like Texas Monthly, Philadelphia Magazine, Boston Magazine, and Washingtonian. In selecting 5280, the judges highlighted “complex stories with a strong voice and local point of view” and said: “This magazine hits on all cylinders—good writing, tight editing, smart design.”

For the first time in the magazine’s 27-year history, 5280.com won the Online Excellence award for providing “an engaging forum for issues that matter in this region” and building an online community presence that resonates with its digital audience.

Additionally, senior staff writer Robert Sanchez won the Writer of the Year prize for his detail-driven narrative reporting in stories ranging from the Balloon Boy Hoax to the legacy of the Columbine shooting in the surrounding community. The “Columbine: 20 Years Later” project from April 2019 took home the prize for Special Issue, our front-of-book team won the best Magazine Section award for its work on “Compass,” and the magazine’s art team earned the win for Illustration and Graphics.

5280 was nominated for a total of 14 awards this year by a panel of more than 100 judges; to watch the virtual award show and to view the full list of nominees and winners, visit the City & Regional Magazine Association’s website.