The Denver Post’s 2026 Gold Helmet Award nomination form, tell me about this news in (https://www.denverpost.com/2026/09/20/gold-helmet-award-nominations-2026/)

The Denver Post’s announcement regarding the Gold Helmet Award nomination form marks the opening of submissions for one of Colorado high school sports’ most prestigious honors.

Overview of the Award

Presented annually by The Denver Post since 1951, the Gold Helmet Award recognizes the state’s top senior football player who demonstrates outstanding achievement across three main pillars: athletics, academics, and citizenship.

Eligibility and Core Criteria

To be nominated and considered for the award, a candidate must typically satisfy the following standards:

• Athletic Performance: Must be a senior playing varsity football in Colorado, recognized as a standout player and leader on the field during the current season.

• Academic Excellence: Must maintain a strong grade-point average (typically a 3.5 GPA or higher) with a demanding course load.

• Character and Community Involvement: Must demonstrate leadership, sportsmanship, and active participation in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or civic engagement outside of athletics.

Nomination and Selection Process

• Submission by School Officials: Nominations are officially submitted through The Denver Post’s nomination portal/form by high school athletic directors, head football coaches, or school administrators.

• Review & Finalists: Submissions, including academic records, athletic statistics, and letters of recommendation, are reviewed by The Denver Post’s sports staff to select a group of finalists later in the fall season.

• Recognition: The award winner and finalists are profiled in The Denver Post, with the overall recipient traditionally honored publicly during a Denver Broncos home game late in the year.