In 1977, Patty Calhoun and two of her dorm-mates from Cornell decided it was a good idea to start an alternative publication. Jimmy Carter became president; the first personal computer was unveiled. Elvis Presley died. And Westword was born.
She went on to a 49-year reign and was editor-in-chief from 1977-2026. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame (probably for her bar tab). She’s received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists, and is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS12’s public affairs roundtable.
No one could ever think that Patty Calhoun will be silent. She will remain as Editor Emeritus to unveil Westword’s 50th anniversary in 2027 and will contribute columns. Her newest project, albeit 10 years in the making, is the World’s Wonderview Tower–see her article about it here:
New Owners Have High Hopes for the World’s Wonder View Tower
We raise glasses and jello shots to Patty and her legacy. We know we’ll see you around.
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- Bryann Lynch and Dan Obarski
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- Ace owners Josh & Jen Wolkon, left, with John Imbergamo
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- Thank you, Patty
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- Mari and Suraya serve up some ice cream treats
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- Wendy Weil, left, Andrew Hudson, Darrin Pyle, Wendy Aiello
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- Chris Rourke, left, Patty Calhoun, Linda Shapley
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- Reed Weimer and Laurie Helmick
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- Patty Calhoun and Sarah Abell
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- Darrin Pyle, left, Brian Gansmann and Ryan Alexander
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- Jodee Reyes and Kevin Chu serve up Peking Duck
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- Chandler Romeo, left, and Radhika Mahanty
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- Chuck and Becky Morris, left, with Steve Weil
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- Joan Burleson and Jim Mulligan
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- Rich Grant, left, and Sid Wilson
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- Wendy Aiello, left, Jennifer Jasinski and Melissa Roth
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- David Racine and Lee Goodfriend
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- Caroline and Joe
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- David Thomas, left, Lonny Hanzon, Terry Hanzon
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- John Kessler and Diane Carman
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- David Wright and Beth Gruitch
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- Robert Reuteman, left, and Richard Scharf
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- Helen Thorpe and Mark Eddy
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- Mark and Amy Antonation
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- Chris Walker and Joel Warner
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- David and Kerri Greenberg
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- Kyle Dyer and Chris West
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- Amy Harmon, left, and Chloe Anderson
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- Kyle Wagner, left, Laura Bond and Molly Martin
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- Katie Calhoun, Shirley Calhoun, Patty Calhoun, Susan Nicholl
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- Danielle Yuthas and Mariann Yuthas
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- Bill Murray and Terri Dorman
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- John Kessler, left, Diane Carman, Adrian Miller, Mark Eddy, Helen Thorpe, Sid Wilson
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- Jeannie Ritter, left, Deborah Jordy, Bill Ritter
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- Joe Ross, Rob Reuteman, Bill St John, Mark Antonation
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- Basha Cohen, left, Rene Doubleday, Kevin Kearney, Paul Tamburello
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- David Miller, Lisa Farber Miller, Kerri Greenberg
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- Edie and Bill Sonn, left, and Susan Nicholl
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- Barbara MacFarlane, left, Liz Kearney, Laurie Helmick
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- Elbra Wedgeworth, left, Rich Grant, Suzanne Brown
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- Christine Brennan and John Kessler
