Salt Lake City Weekly was among the big winners at last weekend's Top of the Rockies Awards, where contributor Zach Abend took home three honors for his 2025 reporting.

Competing in the "Large Newsroom" division of the Top of the Rockies—which recognizes exceptional journalism from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming—Abend received the first place prize in the Social Justice category for his piece "Missing in Plain Sight," about unsolved murders and disappearances in the Four Corners.

Abend was also awarded second place in the Religion category, for a feature on the centuries-long media fascination with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and third place in the Mental Health category, for a feature on the use of Ketamine for mental health treatment.

"I’m honored by the recognition," Abend said. "These awards reflect reporting on undercovered issues—from [Missing and Murdered Indigenous People] and accountability, to religion, to mental health, and I’m so grateful City Weekly gave that work a platform."

Abend first wrote for City Weekly in 2002, but became a regular contributor in 2025 after an extended hiatus. His work focuses on alternative approaches to health care and the institutional challenges faced by rural and tribal communities. In January, he followed up on "Missing in Plain Sight" with a trip to New Mexico's El Paso Corridor, where he witnessed firsthand the remains of immigrants who perished while attempting to enter the United States.

"Zach is the best kind of journalist—curious, open-minded, thoughtful and hungry for the stories that other reporters are unwilling to dig into," City Weekly news editor Benjamin Wood said. "I'm thrilled to see his work receive the recognition it deserves."

The "Large Newsroom" division put City Weekly up against outlets like Rocky Mountain PBS, The Durango Herald, The Coloradoan, Westword, KUER and St. George News.

Utah's Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News competed in the "Extra-large Newsroom" division, receiving 29 and 30 Top of the Rockies Awards, respectively.

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City Weekly contributor wins 1st, 2nd and 3rd at regional Top of the Rockies Awards.