Bragging Rights and Acclaimed Reputations At Stake
Rick Langenberg
While Santa raced around the world last month in delivering presents to area residents during this most important Christmas, and New Year toasts and promises echoed across the region in record fashion, another traditional celebration has now hit the Teller High Country.
It’s that time of year for business and individual trash talk, bragging rights and the quest for TMJ Accolades, designations that can resurrect, preserve and destroy reputations; and yes, establish new heroes.
We have launched our annual “Best Of 2025″ contest for Cripple Creek, Woodland Park and the entire Teller County/Ute Pass region. Hold onto your seats and make sure you vote.
This is the showdown of showdowns, in probably the most competitive and historic “Best Of” battle waged locally and throughout the region.
This is a contest that actually started in the early 1990s, shortly after the introduction of limited stakes gaming. At the time, it was designed as a fun and celebratory way to help promote a rather new industry in Teller County, dubbed then as the “Second Gold Rush.” But it soon became much more than just a contest. Gambling establishments and operators often had to place in the top running if they wanted to stand out. It also gave our publication a chance to reveal the many unknown secrets, heroes and villains of our great and unique area.
Due to popular demand, we have greatly expanded our competition in the last five years to showcase more area-wide competitions.
Now, we feature close to 100 categories to choose from, encompassing a slew of casino, business, special service/niche and individual competitions. Participants in TMJ’s Best Of ’25 will proclaim their favorite places to gamble, play slots and enjoy table games, dine, hang out, buy gifts, seek entertainment, hang-out, gossip and grumble at politicians, along with declaring he finest spots for getting their hair done, having their dog groomed or treated, obtaining legal advice and fixing cars, you name it. And then, there is the intense showdown for top community leaders and personalities, bartenders and various managers. In the past, this contest has rendered thousands of tallies and created much speculation regarding probable winners and losers.
Yes, trash talk, and boastful accolades are more than welcome; but please, no boxing punches here.
The PRELIMINARY VOTING STAGE has now begun.
Next month, we move into the final bout of voting and may give a few hints regarding the early-round leaders. This is now the time to lobby voters and “Best Of” participants for your favorite business, casino, person or celebrity.
The final winners will be announced shortly after St. Patrick’s Day, with the results published in our March 18 and March 25 issues. This is the tentative schedule and could change based on voter participation.
Voting will occur at www.mountainjackpot.com.
In upcoming issues, online and on our Facebook page, we will unveil more details.
Vote, vote and then vote again. Your favorite businesses, places and personalities rely on your support.
