Meet the 2012 Denver #WebAwards finalists

It's time for the 2012 edition of Westword's Denver Web Awards, our annual celebration of Denver's greatest digital minds. Back at the end of September, we put out a call for you, dear readers, to nominate your favorite online projects and voices, and a team of Westword staffers and contributors has spent the intervening weeks whittling your suggestions down to our final entries across categories featuring news, arts, food and music. Continue reading to see this year's Denver Web Awards finalists.

We'll announce the winners at a party on Thursday at RedLine. For more about the party, visit our Web Awards site: The night features music from Calder's Revolvers and a series of swag from sponsors, including Odell Brewing Co. and Colorado Cider. (Sorry, kids, but it's 21 and over -- and invitation only. For details on how to get in, visit our Facebook page on Thursday.)

And now, here are the finalists:

Best Sports Blog
Denver Stiffs
Mile High Report
Predominantly Orange
Purple Row
Roundball Mining Company

Best Political Blog
BigMedia.org
ColoradoIndependent.com
ColoradoPols.com
CompleteColorado.com
Denver Post's The Spot

Best Activist or Advocate Blog
American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado
American Friends Service Committee
Denver Relief
New Era Colorado
Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center

Best Marijuana Dispensary or Activist on Social Media
Denver Relief
Essential Extracts
Leafly
Kathleen Chippi
Native Roots Apothecary

Best Athlete on Social Media
Michael Cuddyer, Colorado Rockies
Matt Duchene, Colorado Avalanche
Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets
Missy Franklin, Olympic swimmer
Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche

Best Politician on Social Media
Albus Brooks
Rhonda Fields
John Hickenlooper
Rick Palacio
Mark Udall