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Celebrating the 2026 Gold Key Award Winners
Each spring, the Educational Foundation of the Colorado Society of CPAs recognizes the highest-performing accounting students across Colorado's colleges and universities through the Gold Key Award. Rather than a nomination process, schools submit their single top-performing accounting student — making this recognition a true mark of academic distinction. This year, we are proud to celebrate 16 outstanding individuals from 15 institutions across the state.
As COCPA CEO Alicia Gelinas, CPA, shared: "This is one of my favorite days of the entire year because we get to celebrate students and the huge accomplishments of your academic career — and hopefully give you a little sendoff into the next steps of your journey with some sort of recognition that's super important to us."
Foundation President Jeffrey Damm, CPA, added: "As the Foundation President, this is why I serve — to recognize and reinvest into the profession. To recognize those that are going to carry on the torch and make this continue to be a great place for people to put reliance on, trust and look towards for what needs to be done in this society going forward."
Please join us in congratulating this year's recipients:
Jocelyn Jones
Adams State University – Business School
After graduating from Adams State University in May, Jocelyn will attend the University of Denver Sturm College of Law to pursue a Master's in Taxation. Following completion of her degree, she plans to work at a firm and obtain her CPA credential.
Kaden Goostree
Colorado Christian University
Kaden will spend the summer of 2026 preparing for the CPA exams, then start at RSM as an audit associate this fall.
"Thank you Professor DeLau for your constant support and investment in us."
Brighten Marie Baldwin
Colorado Mesa University
Upon graduation from the 3+2 program at Colorado Mesa University, Brighten will begin her career in public accounting as an audit associate on the Higher Ed team at CLA in Denver, working towards becoming a licensed CPA.
"Thank you so much for the award and the opportunity to be part of the ceremony today. I wouldn't have been able to achieve this without the support of my parents, and I've been really lucky to have amazing professors and amazing mentors — many of whom were on the call today — so thank you for coming."
Ryan Green
Colorado State University – Fort Collins
After graduation, Ryan will immediately begin pursuing his CPA license while working at a local firm in the northern Colorado area.
"I want to congratulate my fellow recipients — I know this took so much hard work, and I am so honored to be here with you. I want to thank my parents for all their support throughout my life, and also all my co-workers from my accounting jobs so far. I've had some amazing mentors."
Cori Brandow
Colorado State University – Global Campus
After graduation, Cori plans to continue growing her career with her current company, with a goal of moving into an Accounting Manager role where she can take on more leadership responsibility and contribute more strategically to the organization.
"I truly feel grateful to be recognized for this award. My husband has had to do everything around the house because I work full time and go to school nights and weekends, so I truly thank him for helping me achieve this. I also thank my supervisor — she is the one who pushed me to go back to school to finish my degree, and I'm very grateful."
Christian Tilelli
Colorado State University – Pueblo (Sturm Campus)
Christian plans to earn his CPA license and pursue a career in tax accounting.
"I just wanted to thank my dad, who helped me get on this path, and all of the professors I've had — particularly Harry Purcell, who taught me for the past three years, and my current professor Greenhood, who has been majorly helpful this semester."
Coty Channing Morris
Colorado State University – Pueblo
Coty currently runs his own business, Pink Potty Club, serving the Fountain and Colorado Springs area, and upon graduation is looking to expand into other cities.
"I would like to thank the faculty at HSB, specifically Laurie Corradino and Tene' Greenhood, for their guidance and always replying quickly to answer my many questions about assignments. I would not be graduating with a 4.0 without your efforts and dedication!"
Talia Blueeyes
Fort Lewis College – School of Business
Following graduation, Talia will begin a Tax Associate position with Kurtz Fargo in their Durango office, while also working towards her CPA certification.
Timothy J. Cloran
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Upon graduation, Timothy plans to study for the CPA while pursuing a career in business taxation. He also anticipates continuing to teach personal income taxation at the community college level.
"I just want to thank the dedication and patience of friends, family, and faculty. No one gets here alone — it's great to be part of something."
Claire Jimenez
Regis University
After graduation, Claire will begin an accounting internship at Myers and Stauffer LC, where she hopes to make a positive impact through auditing government health care and social service agencies. She is also considering obtaining her CPA license to further advance her career.
"I would like to thank COCPA for this recognition, and I'd also like to thank my professors, advisors, and family who supported me along the way. I couldn't have done it without all of you. This summer I am super excited to start my internship at Myers and Stauffer LC, and since I am fortunate enough to have a month off before it starts, I'm looking forward to doing some traveling!"
Ian Kenneth Ross
University of Colorado Boulder
Ian will be joining PwC's Los Angeles office as an Assurance Associate in their Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice. He is also getting married this May before making his move out west.
Owen Lovell
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
After graduation, Owen will work at Grant Thornton as a Tax Intern this summer, then begin the Master of Accountancy program at the University of Denver in the fall.
"Shout out to Pikes Peak State College and UCCS, and all of my professors at those colleges, for giving me a chance to pursue my education in my hometown and encouraging me to go further with it. I'm really excited for these next steps — starting at Grant Thornton in the summer and then DU right after that."
Lily Rottenborn
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
After graduation, Lily will work as an audit intern for Forvis Mazars while studying for the CPA exams.
"Thank you to all of the people who have supported me to get here — the professors, the peers, the family, the co-workers and employers who have given me opportunities and lessons learned. I want to encourage all of you to celebrate yourselves, be proud of yourselves and the work it has taken to get here. I also want to shout out Dr. McAllister for all of the ways he poured into us as students during Intermediate 2."
Rodrigo Granillo Ibanez
University of Denver
After graduation, Rodrigo will focus on completing all sections of the CPA exam before beginning a role as a Post-Graduate Technical Assistant (PTA) with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in Norwalk, CT in January 2027.
Eric Dershem
University of Northern Colorado
After graduating from the University of Northern Colorado, Eric will commission as an officer in the United States Air Force and attend pilot training.
Andrea Rayn Bryant
Western Colorado University
Rayn has accepted a Staff Accountant position with Aduro Advisors in Highlands Ranch. She is also on track to graduate with 150 credit hours, fulfilling the educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam, which she plans to pursue in the near future.
Congratulations to all of this year's Gold Key Award recipients! We are so proud of everything you have accomplished and look forward to watching you thrive in the next chapter of your journey. The future of the accounting profession is bright with you in it.
To learn more about the COCPA Educational Foundation's Gold Key Award program, visit cocpa.org/the-foundation/gold-key-awards.