Nominations – Before Contest Open – Colorado Chamber of Commerce

NOMINATIONS OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 AND WILL CLOSE WEDNESDAY, JULY 29 AT 12:00 P.M. (NOON) MDT!

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CONTEST INFORMATION

The nomination period for 2026 opens on Wednesday, June 17 and closes on Wednesday, July 29 (12:00 p.m. MDT). The winner will be announced during the Chamber’s Coolest Thing Made Awards Banquet, Presented by PNC Bank, on Thursday, November 12, 2026. At the awards ceremony, the Coolest Thing Made in Colorado trophy will be awarded, along with the title and recognition of the Coolest Thing top winner for 2026.

Presented by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, this competition will showcase the many products made right here in Colorado. It’s a unique opportunity for Colorado manufacturers to put their best creations on display for the coveted title of Coolest Thing Made in Colorado.

NOMINATION RULES

The product must be manufactured in Colorado.
The company headquarters does not have to be located in Colorado, but the product must be manufactured in a Colorado-based facility.
The product must be made using a manufacturing process. For example, a restaurant that makes “made to order” pizzas would not qualify but a food manufacturer that mass-produces frozen pizzas would.
If a nomination does not meet the above criteria, it will not be entered into the contest. Due to time constraints, we are not able to notify nominators of these circumstances.
Finalists can nominate each year. Only winning companies are prohibited from participating in a future Coolest Thing contest for one year, while each winning product is indefinitely prohibited from being nominated again.
Companies may only have one product featured.
All individuals are encouraged to submit their favorite product. Self-nominations from companies are also encouraged.
If chosen to be a finalist, you must submit still images and/or video to help highlight your product no later than 7 days after you are notified as a finalist. More details will be provided by the Chamber to assist in fulfilling this requirement.
If chosen to be a finalist, a company representative must be available for a quick in-person interview and film the product in the Denver area on Tuesday, August 25 or Thursday, August 27, 2026.
If chosen to be a finalist, it is highly encouraged to attend the awards ceremony on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
Failure to meet any of the criteria above may result in disqualification.

If you have difficulties submitting your nomination through the online form, please call 903-293-5679. Emailed submissions are accepted if they have all of the required information from the original nomination form.

VOTING RULES

Paid advertising to promote a product is not allowed. If a nominee is found to have used paid advertising to promote their product in the contest, they will be disqualified.
Nominated companies are encouraged to utilize organic social media, press, and other channels to promote their product in the contest, but they may also take a hands-off approach if they choose.
There is no cost to participate in the contest. Membership with the Colorado Chamber of Commerce is not required.
An independent panel of judges will review the nominations to select the Coolest Thing Made winner and award additional categories or runners-up at their discretion.
Ten Finalists will be notified and invited to attend the Colorado Chamber’s Coolest Thing Made Awards Banquet for the reveal of Coolest Thing Made winner.

PRIZES

The company that manufactures the winning product will receive:

The Coolest Thing Made in Colorado trophy.
The official “Coolest Thing Made in Colorado” winner badge to be placed on company website.
Recognition and profile on The Coolest Thing Made in Colorado website.
Recognition at Colorado Chamber’s Annual Meeting event in October.
A 60 second complimentary video from an Emmy award winning production company.
Coordinated media outreach promoting your win.
An exclusive profile in the Colorado Chamber’s newsletter.
An exclusive meeting with the Colorado Chamber President and CEO to discuss business priorities.

Colorado Chamber of Commerce
1700 Broadway, Suite 525, Denver, CO 80290
Phone: 303-831-7411