Judy Hildner, former prep sports editor in Pueblo and CHSAA Hall of Famer, passes away

It is with great sadness that the Colorado High School Activities Association pays its respect to a long-time contributor to the high school prep scene. The office was informed earlier today that long-time champion of prep sports, Judy Hildner lost her battle with pancreatic cancer.

At the time of her induction into the CHSAA Hall of Fame in 2016, Judy was the reigning matriarch of Colorado media, and was held in held in the highest esteem throughout the state.

“Judy was one of the pioneers that opened the door to women, in the prep journalism space. She promoted the purpose and positivity of high school athletics and activities with truth. She was the trusted voice in southern Colorado for many years, to share the high school stories and events. Her legacy lives through the many young female prep reporters and she will be missed,” CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green said upon news of Hildner’s passing.

She covered all levels of sports, including Super Bowls and NCAA Tournaments but the high school arena was the heart of her coverage area and where so many stories were waiting to be told. She was one of the most knowledgeable media persons in the state and had oversight on one of the country’s finest newspapers with its coverage of southern and southeastern Colorado, along with the San Luis Valley.

She is considered to be the state’s first-ever female sports editor, serving in that capacity from 1990-2012. She ended her 34-year media career in 2012 with The Pueblo Chieftain the paper where she started before she graduated from high school. She began her career keeping stats and then calling them into the newspaper.

A founding member of the CHSAA Hall of Fame committee, she is a member of the Greater Pueblo Sports Hall of Fame and has been honored many times for her work with high schools. In her eyes, one could never do too much for prep sports.

Hildner was a member of, and had chaired the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee, and was a two-time member of the CHSAA Hall of Fame selection committee and had served on the Pueblo School #60 District Strategic Planning Committee and others.

Services are pending.