Come One, Come All

We're proud to host annual celebrations of our region's natural and organic products community.
Hundreds of attendees from the state of Colorado join us annually to rub elbows with the best and brightest.
Join us for our annual events — Conscious Business Pitch Competition, Fall Fling, and Holiday Party!

Colorado Naturally Colorado Pitch Slam

NR Colorado Pitch Slam logo

Naturally Rising: The Conscious Business Pitch Competition

Formerly known as Pitch Slam, Naturally Rising has evolved into a competition that not only showcases emerging, purpose-driven brands but also celebrates leaders in the conscious business industry. This event highlights companies that embrace the Naturally Network’s quintuple bottom linethe 5 Ps:

  1. Passion – The enthusiasm and dedication of founders toward their product and mission
  2. Purpose – The company’s mission and the impact it has in addressing a specific issue or need
  3. People – The company’s focus on community, customer, and team dynamics
  4. Planet – The company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility
  5. Prosperity – The company’s ability to achieve financial success and market viability while maintaining ethical practices

Naturally Rising places a strong emphasis on retail readiness, ensuring that the businesses competing are not only purpose-driven but also prepared for growth and success in the marketplace. From regional competitions to the national stage, culminating in a pitch experience at Newtopia Now — a show known for supporting emerging brands. This competition is designed to help elevate companies that can thrive in today’s conscious economy.

Innovation Showcase

Pitch Slam also provides scores of new and established member brands with the opportunity to share new products and services in the Innovation Showcase, our tabletop exhibition.

Who qualifies for Innovation Showcase?

Established Naturally Colorado member brands who can demonstrate innovation to share with attendees and a significant Colorado business presence.

Fall Fling

Join us for the annual Fall Fling Showcase, Naturally Colorado’s signature event celebrating innovation, connection, and community in the natural and organic products industry. Each year, this high-energy tabletop show brings together brands, buyers, service providers, and industry leaders for an afternoon of discovery, relationship-building, and opportunity. Whether you’re launching something new, looking to grow your network, or just want to stay plugged into the Colorado CPG scene, the Fall Fling is the place to be. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this vibrant gathering that powers the future of natural products!

Shoots Showcase Flowers

Past Pitch Slam and Award Winners

 

2025

Naturally Rising & People’s Choice Winner: Corpse Reviver
Naturally Rising Runner Up: Send Bars
Naturally Rising Third Place: Denver Bone Broth

2024

Pitch Slam & People’s Choice Winner: Lentiful
Pitch Slam Runner Up: Winnie Lou – The Canine Company
Pitch Slam Third Place: Love, Plants

Annual Awards

Brand of the Year: Bobo’s
Emerging Brand of the Year: Hooch Booch
Industry Leader of the Year: Steve Hoffman
Service Provider of the Year: Creative Alignments
The Lance Gentry Award: Mad Agriculture
Conscious Business Catalyst: Chris Bentley, Pet Sustainability Coalition

2023

Pitch Slam & People’s Choice Winner: Peak State Coffee
Pitch Slam Runner Up: Terraseed
Pitch Slam Third Place: Hooch Booch

 

2022

Annual Awards

Brand of the Year: The Good Crisp Company
Emerging Brand of the Year: Byte Bars
Industry Leader of the Year: Carlotta Mast
Service Provider of the Year: SRW Agency
The Lance Gentry Award: Stacey Marcellus
Conscious Business Catalyst: The collective of Marshall Fire
responders, with special recognition for Basecamp Collective,
Big Red F restaurant group, Blackbelly, Conscious Alliance,
Danone NA, Fortnight Collective, Andy Clark of Moxie Bread,
Yasso, and all the supporting brands and many other
Naturally Colorado community members who contributed to this effort.

2021

Pitch Slam: Frescos Beverage Corporation
Pitch Slam Runner Up: Pastificio
Pitch Slam Third Place: Fossil Fuel (now KeJoy)
Climate Catalyst: Danone North America
Breakout Brand: Cappello’s
Industry Leader / Community Champ: Justin Levy, Conscious Alliance

2020

Pitch Slam & People’s Choice: Gruvi
Pitch Slam Runner Up: Mortal Kombucha
Pitch Slam Third Place: Bloombox Foods
Climate Catalyst: Organic India
Breakout Brand: Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha
Industry Leader / Community Champ: Bill Capsalis

2019

Pitch Slam: Hoplark HopTea
Pitch Slam Runner Up: Etalia
Pitch Slam Third Place: Unwrapp’d Energy Bites
Breakout Brand: Weller
Industry Leader / Community Champ: Dale Kamibayashi

2018

Pitch Slam: Picaflor
Pitch Slam Runner Up: Rooster & Lark
Pitch Slam Third Place: Coconut Cloud
Breakout Brand: Bobo’s
Industry Leader / Community Champ: Justin Gold

2017

Pitch Slam: The Honest Stand
Pitch Slam Runner Up: Cusa Tea
Pitch Slam Third Place: The Good Spread
Breakout Brand: Goddess Garden
Industry Leader / Community Champ: Sylvia Tawse

2016

Pitch Slam: Frau Fowler
Pitch Slam Runner Up: SaltiSweet Ice Cream Factory
Pitch Slam Third Place: Evo Hemp
Breakout Brand: Lucky’s Market
Industry Leader / Community Champ: Jane Miller

2015

Pitch Slam: Wild Zora
Breakout Brand: Quinn Popcorn
Industry Leader / Community Champ: Steve Hughes

2014

Pitch Slam: Appleooz
Pitch Slam Runner Up: Noble Savage
Pitch Slam Third Place: Zaza Raw
Best Young Business: Noosa Yoghurt
Company of the Year: Boulder Brands
The Lance Gentry Breakthrough Innovation Award: Quinn Popcorn
Lifetime Achievement: Joan Boykin

2013

Pitch Slam: Compo Keeper
Best Young Business: Alfalfa’s Market
Company of the Year: WhiteWave Foods Company
Local Hero: Bryce Winton Brown
Focus on the Future: Silk
The Lance Gentry Breakthrough Innovation Award: Goddess Garden
Lifetime Achievement: Mo Siegel

2012

Pitch Slam: Dressed Up Salad Dressing
Best Young Business: Boulder Soup Works
Company of the Year: Door to Door Organics
Local Hero: Joan Boykin
Focus on the Future: Teatulia
The Lance Gentry Breakthrough Innovation Award: Cheribundi
Lifetime Achievement: Paul Repetto

2011

Pitch Slam: Bamboobies
Best Young Business: New Planet Beer
Company of the Year: EVOL Foods
Local Hero: Chef Ann Cooper, The Renegade Lunch Lady
Lifetime Achievement: Hass Hassan

2010

Pitch Slam: White Girl Salsa
Best Young Business: Bhakti Chai
Company of the Year: Rudi’s Organic Bakery
Local Hero: Ramona Clark, Growing Gardens
Lifetime Achievement: Steve Demos

2009

Pitch Slam: Goddess Garden
Best Young Business: MIX 1
Company of the Year: Eco-Products
Lifetime Achievement: Mark Retzloff

2008

Pitch Slam: Sticky Fingers Cooking

2007

Pitch Slam: “Under Research”

2006

Pitch Slam: Phil’s Fresh Foods (later changed to EVOL Foods)

2005

Pitch Slam: “Under Research”

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