Caroline Bancroft History Prize
The Special Collections and Archives Department awards the Caroline Bancroft Prize annually. According to the terms of the will of the late Caroline Bancroft, provision is made for an annual prize "to be awarded to the author of the best book on Colorado or Western American History published during the current year, to be known as the Caroline Bancroft History Prize."
Juanita Gray / Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame Award
Former Denver Public Library staff member and community advocate Juanita Gray helped start the Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame in 1973 which honors new inductees every other year. Members are Colorado residents who have made an impact on the African American community.
This annual honor recognizes an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to the Denver Public Library Western History Collection that enhances its value and/or expands the department’s significance to the community. The award is named in memory of Eleanor Gehres who headed the Library’s Western History department for 25 years (1974-1999). Her leadership built the department from a regional resource into a national treasure.
Joy and Edward Hobbs Hilliard Jr. played a leading role in preserving Colorado open space until Ed Hilliard's death in a mountain climbing accident on August 15, 1970. Following his death, Joy continued to be active as a conservationist and philanthropist. She made a significant contribution to preserving Phantom Canyon on the North Fork of the Cache La Poudre River. In addition, Joy established the Hilliard Room for the Conservation Library at the Denver Public Library. The Joy R. Hilliard Fellowship supports a master’s or doctoral-level graduate student doing research in the fields of conservation or environmental history.