BOULDER, COLO. — Mon., April 20, 2026 — District Attorney and candidate for Colorado Attorney General Michael Dougherty was honored with the Blue Sky Bridge Leadership Award at this year’s Champions for Children awards event, recognizing his commitment to protecting children and supporting survivors of abuse.

Hosted by Blue Sky Bridge, a nationally recognized child advocacy center dedicated to preventing child abuse and supporting victims, the annual Champions for Children event highlights individuals and community partners who have made extraordinary contributions to safeguarding children and strengthening families.

The event, held during Child Abuse Prevention Month, brought together leaders from across Boulder County and beyond to reflect on the importance of prevention, intervention, and coordinated care for children impacted by abuse.

“What we witnessed was very powerful and should remind us that protecting children and supporting families who are dealing with abuse takes courage, compassion, and a deep commitment to doing what is right,” said Dougherty. “I’m honored to receive this award from an organization doing such critical work in our community.”

Blue Sky Bridge recognized Dougherty for his leadership and partnership in advancing a multidisciplinary approach to child abuse cases—bringing together law enforcement, prosecutors, medical professionals, and victim advocates to ensure children receive the support and justice they deserve.

Throughout his career, Dougherty has prioritized prosecuting crimes against children and working alongside community-based organizations to improve outcomes for young victims. His office has partnered with Blue Sky Bridge to ensure cases are handled with a trauma-informed, child-centered approach. He served as the Deputy Chief for the Sex Crimes Unit at the Manhattan DA’s Office, oversees a dedicated Sex Crimes Unit in his current office, and still prosecutes child abuse and sex crimes cases himself – while leading efforts to build better prevention and support systems with community partners. 

“Protecting children is one of the most important responsibilities we have,” Dougherty added. “I will continue to stand with organizations like Blue Sky Bridge to ensure every child is safe, heard, and supported.”