Structure

The contest is divided into professional and student sections. Each section has two submission categories. Contestants may participate in only one section but are permitted to submit an entry in one or both categories.

Open to GISCO or WyGEO members in good standing. Click a button below to become a member or renew your existing membership today!

Open to anyone currently enrolled in, or who completed within one year before the contest submission deadline, a GIS or related certificate, undergraduate, or graduate program at an accredited institution in Colorado or Wyoming. An unofficial transcript is required for participation in this section.

Students enrolled in classes for the Fall 2026 semester can use their submission for the GISCO Scholarship application!

The submission’s intended purpose is adequately supported by relevant and informative content drawn from reliable sources. Analytical methods are appropriate and correctly implemented. Essential cartographic layout elements, including but not limited to titles, legends, scale bars, and directional indicators, are present and used effectively. The submission provides sufficient geographic features or alternative methods for orientation. Text is free of grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. All content is appropriately referenced and sources are clearly documented. 

The submission is engaging, thematically cohesive, and aesthetically appealing. Its design follows a logical or hierarchical arrangement and demonstrates thoughtful use of color, geometry, typography, and scale. The chosen medium is appropriate for the information being communicated. Interactive map and app contents are accessible, correctly configured, and function as intended across all platforms. The submission’s analytical methods and results, or its intended purpose are clearly conveyed and quickly understood. Submissions are encouraged to follow accessibility best practices, including colorblind-friendly palettes and alternative text for interactive experiences when applicable.

The submission demonstrates originality in its content, presentation, or chosen medium, reflecting an innovative approach that supports its purpose and message. Widely-accepted cartographic principles are followed in an unexpected way or thoughtfully challenged. Established analytical methods are improved or applied to novel or previously unused datasets. Any AI-generated elements have been sufficiently modified and integrated into original work. Apps and interactive experiences creatively implement software capabilities or narrative structures to provide new insights and perspectives.

The descriptions above are intended to illustrate characteristics of strong submissions and support panelists’ professional judgment; they are not necessarily exhaustive or prescriptive. Submissions are ranked using a structured scoring rubric.

Visit the Mapping Contest Hall of Fame to see winning submissions from previous contests.

Incomplete submissions or entries that do not meet formatting or eligibility requirements may be disqualified. Only original works created after April 19th, 2024 and accompanied by an abstract will be accepted. Photographic reproductions of work created with traditional artistic media following the formatting guidelines specified above are allowed. Unofficial transcripts for student submissions are required. Contestant affiliations requested in the submission form include job title and employer or educational institution and department. 

Abstracts summarize what someone should know about a submission and typically include some information regarding its purpose, methodology, and findings (if applicable) in 100-200 words. References are required for any data, technical approaches, or analytical methods used in a submission and may be legibly presented within the submission itself or provided in the abstract. Sources do not need to follow a specific citation style and may be listed.

Entries may be submitted by individuals or a group of contestants each meeting the requirements for their submission’s section. All members of a winning group submission will be offered GIS Colorado and WyGEO membership; however, certificates and gift cards are not awarded individually. Voting for the People’s Choice Award will take place online and is open to registered Summit guests. Each guest may cast one vote. The Mapping Contest Committee reserves the right to validate votes to ensure fairness and integrity. Contest winners are also eligible to win a People’s Choice Award.

Direct use of AI content in submissions is prohibited. Any AI-generated elements must be substantially modified, integrated into original work, and clearly disclosed by the contestant in their abstract. Participants retain full ownership of their work but grant GIS Colorado and WyGEO a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to exhibit, reproduce, and promote their submission at the 2026 Elevations Geospatial Summit and on official websites and social media platforms. Printing and exhibition will be handled by the GIS Colorado Mapping Contest Committee.