Colorado Humanities & Center for the Book assigns selectors and judges to create panels of diverse readers (e.g., scholars, librarians, booksellers, teachers, and writers) from across the state. Participating as a selector or judge provides you with an opportunity to see firsthand what leading members of Colorado’s book community are creating in a category. For the best chance to be considered, please submit or update your application by December 1, 2023.

The Book Awards judging process has two parts:

Selection of finalists typically occurs from late January to late March. Selectors read all books submitted in their assigned category and work on a three-member committee to choose three finalist books. The number of books assigned to a selector varies based on the number of entries submitted in each category.  If selectors cannot come to agreement, final overall scores will be used in determining a finalist.

Judging of finalists typically takes place from early April to mid-May. Judges read the three finalist books in their assigned category and work on a three-member committee to choose a Colorado Book Award winner. If judges cannot come to agreement, final overall scores will be used in determining a winner.

Selectors and judges do not receive compensation for serving but will receive a complimentary ticket to the Colorado Book Awards celebration for the year they select or judge and may keep the books they review. 

There is no limit to how many years a selector or judge may serve on a committee; however, in most cases, selectors and judges cannot serve in consecutive award years on the same category committee. An individual may serve as both a selector and judge in any given awards year, provided s/he adjudicates different categories. In the spirit of community, efforts will be made to accommodate all who wish to volunteer.

The Colorado Book Awards program coordinator will guide selectors and judges through the adjudication process and lead committee discussions. Selectors and judges are asked to come prepared to both contribute and listen in a civil discussion, demonstrating respect for fellow selectors, judges, authors, and publishers. The information about books entered, the adjudication process, and all discussions about entries are considered strictly confidential.

Selectors and Judges will receive hard copies of all entries, but if an emergency arises, we will give access to a PDF version of the book. To review such digital books, aside from having a verified email address, you will need Internet access and a computer, iPad, Nook, Kindle, or other e-reader that handles a PDF file format. 

If you have any additional questions please email mary@coloradohumanities.org.