Wellington brand: "Colorado's Northern Gateway"

The decision has been made.

Wellington is about to become known as “Colorado’s Northern Gateway.”

A panel of nine judges sifted through more than 100 suggestions from the citizens of Wellington before reaching a unanimous choice.

Diana Pronko, Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce board member and co-owner of Proper Time, spearheaded the joint project of the Chamber and the Town of Wellington and was delighted with the number and quality of the entries. “It was heartening,” she said. “The suggestions were high quality, thoughtful, and many participants went to the trouble of explaining the reasons for their choice.”

Twenty-seven of the entries zeroed in on Wellington’s unique location. Identifying the single winning entry would have been difficult. “I didn’t want to make this a contest,” Pronko said. She described it as more of a team effort.

Other notable entries included “Gem of the Northern Rockies,” “Large Enough to Share, Small Enough to Care,” and “Top of Colorado.” Humorous entries made it to the suggestion box, including “Welcome to Wellington: Home of Tall Corn and Taller Women.”

Judges represented diverse segments of the community: two seniors, two town board members, two chamber members, one eighth-grade student and two residents-at-large.

Everyone who submitted a branding suggestion was entered into a drawing for $50 off on their water bill or a $50 gift certificate to be used locally. Chuck Mayhugh, local architect who has contributed much of his time and talent to the community, was the lucky winner.

“Colorado’s Northern Gateway” will identify Wellington on signage and publicity. The branding evolved from the Main Street project whose goal is to re-vitalize downtown Wellington. The slogan will appear on this year’s chamber of commerce Fourth of July parade float.