facebook-pixel

A complete list of The Salt Lake Tribune’s Utahns of the Year

From 1997 to 2022, here are the Utahns who — for good or ill — best reflected the state and its biggest news stories of that year.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Coach Kyle Whittingham as the Utah Utes host the Oregon Ducks, NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

Here are the past Utahns of the Year, selected by The Tribune since 1997. Vote for the 2023 Utahn of the Year here.

  • 2022 • Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham.
  • 2021 • The Great Salt Lake.
  • 2020 • Health care workers.
  • 2019 • Utah Jazz owner and philanthropist Gail Miller.
  • 2018 • Former North Ogden Mayor and fallen soldier Brent Taylor.
  • 2017 • Longtime U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch.
  • 2016 • Madi Barney, who brought attention to how Brigham Young University was handling reports of sexual assaults.
  • 2015 • Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes.
  • 2014 • Same-sex marriage plaintiffs.
  • 2013 • Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill.
  • 2012 • Mormons Building Bridges.
  • 2011 • Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank.
  • 2010 • Elizabeth, Lois and Mary Smart.
  • 2009 • Elizabeth Smart.
  • 2008 • Utah Jazz owner and businessman Larry Miller.
  • 2007 • First responders to tragedies, including the Trolley Square shooting rampage and the Crandall Canyon Mine disaster.
  • 2006 • Latino leaders Jorge Fierro, Andrew Valdez, Ruby Chacon and Alma Armendariz.
  • 2005 • Pamela Atkinson, advocate for the poor and homeless.
  • 2004 • Utahns killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  • 2003 • Gov. Olene Walker.
  • 2002 • LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley.
  • 2001 • Winter Games organizer Mitt Romney.
  • 2000 • Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson.
  • 1999 • The letter that sparked the Olympic bribery scandal.
  • 1998 • Mary Ann Kingston, who suffered a brutal beating after escaping plural marriage.
  • 1997 • NBA MVP Karl Malone.
    • Help The Tribune report the stories others can’t—or won’t.

    For over 150 years, The Salt Lake Tribune has been Utah’s independent news source. Our reporters work tirelessly to uncover the stories that matter most to Utahns, from unraveling the complexities of court rulings to allowing tax payers to see where and how their hard earned dollars are being spent. This critical work wouldn’t be possible without people like you—individuals who understand the importance of local, independent journalism.  As a nonprofit newsroom, every subscription and every donation fuels our mission, supporting the in-depth reporting that shines a light on the is sues shaping Utah today.

    You can help power this work.

    $15$25$35