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	Judges' Comments
	"The graphics are well integrated into the centerpiece. They’re well thought-out with good composition. He displays good use of white space and blends the disciplines of illustration and informational graphics."

As Robert García has risen steadily from onetime advertising artist to a leader of the newsroom, his graphics creations have steadily become more sophisticated.

The parade of his winning entries in the Best of Cox -- six in all -- have increased in their sparkle and impact. They’ve moved from tidy two-column explainers on section fronts to sweeping designs that dominate front pages.

In his 2001 graphic, "Horror stories," García traced the spread of use of the narcotic methamphetamine in the western United States. It ran as part of the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel’s five-part series about the issue.

García’s graphic entitled "Hopelessly behind" mapped the national parks surrounding Grant Junction. Additional federal funds are needed to upgrade public facilities at each of them, the newspaper argued.

His "Mesa Verde after the wildfires" detailed how fires had scorched 40 percent of the popular nearby national park.

García’s first places in Best of Cox are:

1993 Informational graphics; 1995 Informational graphics; 1997 Graphics; 1999 Graphics; 2000 Graphics; and 2002 Graphics and illustration.

He is a Colorado native and graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in fine arts.

The Daily Sentinel hired García in 1984 as a graphic artist in the advertising department, moving to News three years later. He became the graphics editor for the Daily Sentinel in 1990.

He has 11 Colorado Press Association awards for graphics and page design hanging on the wall in the Daily Sentinel newsroom.

He is an avid skier; mountain-biker; and fan of University of Colorado football and high school wrestling.