Fort Lewis College professor and Journal contributing writer Andrew Gulliford was awarded a Colorado Book Award prize for his essay collection "Outdoors in the Southwest" on Sunday, June 21, at the Aspen Institute Doerr-Hosier Center.

Three writers from the Four Corners area were nominated for Colorado Book Awards, which have been presented annually since 1991 to authors, editors, illustrators and photographers from around the state who represent the best in their categories.

In the Best Anthology category, Gulliford was nominated for his essay collection "Outdoors in the Southwest." Gulliford also writes the monthly column "Gulliford's Travels" about his trips in the Four Corners, for The Cortez Journal and Durango Herald.

In the General Nonfiction category, Durango restaurateur Katrina Blair was nominated for her book "The Wild Wisdom of Weeds: 13 Essential Plants for Human Survival." In the Mystery category, Cortez author Chuck Greaves was nominated for his novel "The Last Heir."