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Youth Writing Contests
The Youth Writing Contest is a cornerstone of Central Colorado Writers, dedicated to empowering the next generation of storytellers. By celebrating young voices from across the region, we foster creative growth and build a vibrant literary community where every story matters.
Explore this year's Youth Writing Contest
A Quick Thank You to Our Judges & Volunteers
We extend our deepest gratitude to all the volunteer judges and supporters who have dedicated their time and expertise to the Youth Writing Contest over the years. Your commitment has empowered countless young storytellers and enriched our literary community. We couldn't do this without you!
Winners
- GRAND PRIZE: Aberlyn Leon - "El Gran Secreto Malo en Las Dunas"
- SILVER PRIZE: Charlotte Meakim - "By Fates Design"
- BRONZE PRIZE: Rosalee Heeter- "A Box of Secrets"
Finalists
- Zachary Leon - "Something's Lurking At DIA"
- Madeleine McGuire - "The Right Thing"
- Morgan R. Mitchell - "Breathe"
SENIORS
2026
JUNIORS
Winners
- GRAND PRIZE: Cora Mahowald - "Pocketful of Wild"
- SILVER PRIZE: Emerson Mira Riles - "Transformation"
- BRONZE PRIZE: Kait Held- "In Seven Minutes"
Finalists
- Declan Duke Davis - "The Secret of Hollow School"
- Quinn Freeman - "Finding Family"
The 2026 Theme
Secret(s)
Secrets shape our lives in ways both big and small. They can protect, divide, surprise, or transform us. This year’s youth writing contest challenges young writers to explore the theme of Secret(s) through original fiction or nonfiction.
Share your voice, tell your story, and uncover what lies beneath the surface.
2025
The 2025 Theme
Superpower(s) Applied
Everyone has strengths—abilities, talents, or qualities that make them extraordinary. This year’s youth writing contest challenges you to explore the theme Superpower(s) Applied through original fiction or nonfiction.
What happens when those powers are put to use? How can they transform a person, a community, or even the world?
SENIORS
- GRAND PRIZE: Grace Bunch - "An Experiment In Persistence"
- SILVER PRIZE: Morgan Mitchell - "The Dragonslayer's Celebration Gone Wrong"
- BRONZE PRIZE: Garrett Kelley - "Fly Eagle Fly"
SENIORS
Winners
- GRAND PRIZE: Grace Bunch - "An Experiment In Persistence"
- SILVER PRIZE: Morgan Mitchell - "The Dragonslayer's Celebration Gone Wrong"
- BRONZE PRIZE: Garrett Kelley - "Fly Eagle Fly"
Finalists
- Alexis "Lexie" Davis – "Ancient Awakening"
- Philine Kreysing – "The Pearl Earring"
- Evelyn Talbot – "Celestial Blessed"
JUNIORS
Winners
- GRAND PRIZE: Amelia E. Gold - "Believe"
- SILVER PRIZE: Rebekah Bunch - "Paperboy"
- BRONZE PRIZE: Genevieve Bishop - "Noodle’s Adventure"
Finalists
- Declan Duke Davis- "Alex, Tuning In"
- Anthony Riggs - "Faster Than Ever"
- Neve R. Zippin - "The Girl that Stopped A War With Only Her Determination"
2024
Winners
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GRAND PRIZE: Hunter A. Heath – “The Hatter”
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SILVER PRIZE: Grace Bunch – “Remember the Roses”
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BRONZE PRIZE: Aberlyn Leon – “A Cinderella Story”
Finalists
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Grace E. Koken – “Conflict of the Jedi: Revenge of the Sith Reimagined”
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Maya Welsh – “Wolves Howl When Trees Sing ”
JUNIORS
Winners
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GRAND PRIZE: Adalynn G. Fike – “Every Rose Has Its Thorns”
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SILVER PRIZE: Zachary Leon – “Mission Possible”
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BRONZE PRIZE: Ben Bishop – “Seven in One Blow”
Finalists
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Scarlett C. Koken – “Goldimouse and the Three Cats”
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Rose M. Lenth – “Pedro Pufferfish”
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Leah K. Paschall – “Glass Heart”
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Jasper Schwander – “The Very, Very, Ugly Duck”
The 2024 Theme
A Story Reimagined
"A Story Reimagined” invites participants to unleash their creativity by taking a familiar tale and transforming it into something entirely new.
Much like Barbara Kingsolver did with 'Demon Copperhead,' where she reimagined Dickens's 'David Copperfield,' we challenge you to revisit a story you know well and put your unique spin on it.
SENIORS
2023
Finalists
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Sky Henderson – “The Three Wooden Figures”
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Maya Welsh – “Raging Ice”
Finalists
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Brooklyn Bell - “The Family Dilemma”
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Ephraim Bunch - “The Messenger”
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Alexis Davis – “Rose and the Missing Kitsune”
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Owen Hill – “The Beginning of the End”
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Taya Martinez – “Barrels with Belle”
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Aidan TwoCrow – “Glitch”
The 2023 Theme
Someday
The theme is wide open, and so is your imagination. Write fiction in almost any genre that brings "Someday…" to life.
Choose any genre, find your voice, and write fiction that brings "Someday..." to life. Pull in your readers and keep them turning pages until the very end.
SENIORS
JUNIORS
Winners
Winners
- GRAND PRIZE: Hannah Wharton - "Hand of Tomorrow"
- SILVER PRIZE: Grace Bunch - "I'll Come Running"
- BRONZE PRIZE: Savannah Tulley - "Mangroves Whisper Life and Death"
- GRAND PRIZE: Benjamin Stephen Bishop - "Rings, Doughnuts, and Kings"
- SILVER PRIZE: Aberlyn Leon - "Someday"
- BRONZE PRIZE: Eliza Darcie Schwander - "Loona's Dream Will Someday Come True"
Winners
- GRAND PRIZE: Henry Dodson - "The Trees"
- SILVER PRIZE: Grace Bunch - "Dandelions"
- BRONZE PRIZE: Tal Sheleg- "Where They Belong"
SENIORS
2022
The 2022 Theme
It Happened Near Here
This year's theme is purposely broad. “It happened near here…” allows room for a story of almost any genre—fantasy, science fiction, romance, suspense…the possibilities are endless! All we ask is for you to capture the reader with your story and leave us thinking about it long after we’ve finished reading.
JUNIORS
Winners
- GRAND PRIZE: Benjamin Bishop - "The Egg"
- SILVER PRIZE: Alexis "Lexie" Davis - "The Legend of Lily and Luna"
- BRONZE PRIZE: Lauren Cartner - "Framed at Thirteen"