Step Right Up: Inside the Most Fun Fifty Yet!

All photo credits go to: Jeff Olson at Cactus

There’s something special about walking into a room where everyone gets it.

This year’s Fifty didn’t just celebrate Colorado’s best creative work, it felt like a full-on reminder of why this community matters in the first place.

With an Amusement Park–themed celebration, The Fifty leaned into joy, connection, and all the little things that make experiences special. Cotton candy and popcorn machines greeted guests on arrival. A claw machine packed with prizes kept people lingering. Food trucks fueled conversations. And it was all included with your ticket! 

From the first laugh to the last dance, the energy was unmistakable.

Gold Bars, Big Wins, and Fresh Voices

This marked our second year awarding gold bars to winners, and once again, they were a hit! There’s something about a literal gold bar that feels just right for recognizing work that rises to the top.

What stood out just as much as the winners, though, was the range of entries. This year brought a noticeable wave of new submissions and first-time entrants, signaling that Colorado’s creative scene isn’t just strong, it’s expanding.

New voices. New perspectives. New work alongside longtime standouts.

That mix is exactly what keeps The Fifty relevant year after year.

The Fifty is where creative partners reconnect. Where former coworkers bump into each other unexpectedly, and where future collaborators meet without realizing it, yet.

This year especially, the night was filled with those “wait… you’re here?!” moments. People reconnecting after years apart. Conversations picking up right where they left off, even after long pauses.

And then there’s the after party — where the real magic happens. Where surface-level hellos turn into real conversations, the inside jokes form, and the memorable connections happen.

Missed It? Come Next Year!

The Fifty is a reminder that Colorado’s creative community isn’t just talented, it’s growing fast! And it’s generous, connected, and evolving. It’s a place to celebrate great work, yes, but also to feel part of something bigger.

If you were there, thank you for bringing such great energy!
If you missed it… we promise: you’ll want to be there next year.

Special thanks to the AdClub board and all volunteers!

Featured here: Evan Olea, Kristan Butler, Jay Roth, Paul Kwong, David Allison, Alexis Supangan, Tonja Roth, Ryan Seaver, Nicole Getzelman

We’d love to know what your favorite thing about the fifty was, or why you missed this year, fill out our survey, and help us make it even better!