February 3, 2026, Denver, Colorado. The Colorado Authors Hall of Fame is offering up to five $2,000 scholarships to aspiring Colorado authors, as well as an extensive year-long mentorship to support their success as an author valued at $15,000.
Submissions are open through March that require no fee and will be evaluated by Coloradans who support literacy and the art of storytelling. The scholarship is available to writers aged over 20 who are residents of Colorado.
The scholarship fund is part of The Hall’s commitment to encourage, support, and nurture new Colorado connected writers, so that they too may one day join the most prolific authors of the Hall of Fame.
Applications must be received by March 31, 2026, and the winning recipients will be announced in early July. Recipients will be honored at a luncheon event held at the Inverness Denver hotel on September 11, 2026.
For Application requirements and additional information, visit the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame website and click on the Scholarship tab: http://ColoradoAuthorsHallofFame.org/scholarships.html
Aspiring Author Scholarship Requirements are Below:
The Colorado Authors Hall of Fame Scholarship is open to applicants who:
- Are over 20
- Are legal Colorado residents
- Have a desire to succeed as an author and in the field of publishing
- Must include a sampling of their already written work of at least 20 pages and an essay on why they want to become an author.
Part of the application process will include writing an essay of up to 1,000 words on the topic: “Why I Want to Write and Become an Author,” along with how they intend to use the money. Essays will be evaluated for excellence of writing, creativity, and yes, grammar by a panel of judges consisting of bookstore owners, librarians, and published authors.
The scholarships were envisioned by the founder of the Hall, Dr. Judith Briles. She shares, “Writing and publishing a book is like climbing one of our Rocky Mountain ‘fourteeners.’ It requires years of preparation, unbelievable stamina, and courage. Facing that blank page is like starting an ascent. When you reach the top by completing the book, authors can suddenly see farther than ever before. This vision from the pinnacle is the gift authors give their readers. Now, the Hall would like to give a gift back to Colorado’s authors who desire to reach the publishing summit. Their impact on countless readers in providing entertainment, enlightenment, and solutions is immeasurable.”
Board Chair Mara Purl, CEO of the award-winning Milford-Haven Novels adds, “We know what it takes to create awesome books that teach and inspire. The Hall dedicates itself to honoring fellow authors who’ve proven their worth to the literary society and that their legacies never die. Now, we can reach out to support and encourage those who are just starting their authoring journey.”
The Hall is dedicated to recognizing and preserving the history of the accomplishments of past and present authors who have created and published books in or about Colorado.
The Hall is dedicated to recognizing and preserving the history of the accomplishments of past and present authors who have created and published books in or about Colorado.
The organization is an all-volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is “to honor and promote the works of outstanding published authors from all genres and generations with a vibrant connection to Colorado, to ensure their legacies will not be lost.”
Information about the application process, nomination criteria for Hall Inductees, donations, events, and board members can all be found at www.ColoradoAuthorsHallofFame.org.