Colorado Press Association

08/18/2025

🙌 Don’t take our word for it — hear directly from our collaborators and speakers at Local News Solutions 2025 about why this is the local news gathering you can’t miss.

🎥 Their testimonials capture the energy, inspiration, and connections that make this event so special.

📅 Save the date: August 27–29, 2026. Back at Delta Hotels. We’ll see you there!

08/17/2025

🌟 Local News Solutions 2025: Recap! 🌟

We did it! What an incredible three days at this year’s convention. Local News Solutions 2025 brought together journalists, funders, and civic leaders to share courage, creativity, and collaboration at a time when local journalism is facing some of its hardest challenges yet.

We are grateful to our partners at Colorado News Collaborative - COLab and Colorado Media Project for co-hosting this convening, and to our inspiring speakers and panelists — including Dean Battinto Batts, Jim Brady, Tina Dyakon, Maritza Félix, Peter Lamb, Justin Mayo, Garry Pierre-Pierre, Kevin Slimp, Kaveh Waddell, Joey & Lindsey Young, Kyle Clark, Lee Ann Colacioppo, Kelly Dunkin, Laura Frank, Latia Henderson — who reminded us that we are not alone in this work.

A special thank-you as well to our emcee,Dan Grech, who kept the energy high and the program moving each day.

📌 Convention highlights included:

A candid opening night conversation between Attorney General Phil Weiser and CPA CEO Tim Regan-Porter on policy, press freedom, and the fragility of local news.

The Legislative Lunch Panel, featuring Rep. Jennifer Bacon and Rep. Michael Carter and moderated by Tim Regan-Porter, was described by many as one of the most powerful sessions of the convention. The conversation cut to the heart of how local news can shine a light on injustices, but also how it can sometimes perpetuate stereotypes or overlook critical voices. Their reflections on race, representation, and policymaking offered a needed challenge to all of us: How can newsrooms serve communities of color more accurately and meaningfully — and what happens when they don’t?

We also want to recognize Tim Regan-Porter 's inspired leadership. Even amidst personal loss, he showed up with strength and clarity. His deep commitment to supporting local news helped make this gathering a space for renewal and action.

And thank you to the entire Colorado Press Association team, Rachel Pickarski, Randia Toledo and our special part-time teammate, Alison Cooper who worked alongside Tim and our partners to make Local News Solutions 2025 possible.

Despite the headwinds facing journalism, the spirit of this year’s convention was undeniable: hope, resilience, and the belief that trusted, community-focused news is worth fighting for.

🎶 And because so many of you asked… yes, the convention songs that played during our slideshow are now shareable!

Opening slideshow song: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ICzANtq6IUPmFe7V6iNxoUL1uIPqEvNX/view?usp=sharing

Closing slideshow song: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11grIwtvbK0mqASuyU0ebVg9HBpYukCGs/view?usp=sharing

Lighthearted, a little chaotic, and very 2025. Consider them the unofficial soundtrack to a convention full of energy and collaboration.

📸: Thomas Cooper, Lightbox Images

08/14/2025

🚨 Local News Solutions 2025 is officially underway! 🚨

We kicked off this morning with the Colorado Ethnic Media Exchange (CEME) Information Breakfast—a powerful start focused on belonging, representation, and meaningful partnerships.

Big thanks to Brittany Winkfield for leading today’s conversation, and to CPA CEO Tim Regan-Porter for sharing how collaboration across Colorado strengthens local news.

At CEME, trusted ethnic media outlets serve Hispanic, Asian, and Black communities statewide. Today’s briefing highlighted how we can:

• Reach diverse audiences with authenticity
• Build stronger connections with local communities
• Collaborate on storytelling tailored to specific cultural groups

📅 Explore the full convention schedule and join us: https://localnewssolutions2025.sched.com/

05/15/2025

The Collaborative Journalism Summit, hosted by the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair University has begun! The Colorado Press Association was proud to see Tim Regan-Porter, our CEO, speak on the opening keynote panel at this year’s Summit in Denver.

Moderated by Kimberley Spencer, Executive Director of the Colorado Media Project, the panel brought together powerhouse leaders including:

🔹 Laura Frank, Executive Director of COLab
🔹 Amber Cote, Senior Director of Statewide Civic Engagement at Rocky Mountain Public Media
🔹 Tim Regan-Porter, CEO of Colorado Press Association

Together, they explored “What Colorado news leaders have learned from years of collaboration” — highlighting how more than 180 newsrooms across the state are working together on content, community engagement, capacity building and building trust with each other and the communities they serve.

From newsletter accelerators to supporting the Colorado Ethnic Media Exchange, Voter guides, and initiatives like Above the Noise, Colorado continues to be a national model for what’s possible when we break down silos and invest in local news — together.

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04/10/2025

📣 Exciting news! Brittany Winkfield, Director of the Colorado Ethnic Media Exchange (CEME), is featured in this month's The Acumen by the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce.​

In her article, Brittany discusses how CEME serves as a vital link between advertisers and Colorado's multicultural communities. By offering a one-stop solution for reaching diverse audiences through trusted platforms—including digital, radio, podcast, social media, and streaming TV—CEME enables brands to connect authentically and effectively.

For businesses aiming to engage with underrepresented communities and enhance their brand's impact, partnering with CEME provides unparalleled access and expertise.​

Read the full article: https://publications.cbcc.biz/view/70125198/

Learn more about CEME: https://ethnicmedia.co/

12/19/2024

12/12/2024

12/06/2024

🎉 Episode 50 🥳 of Local News Matters Podcast is out!

Randy Picht (Reynolds Journalism Institute) and Andrew Finlayson (SmithGeiger) talk with host Tim Regan-Porter about their landmark study on burnout in journalism.

🚨 Burnout is a crisis: 80% of journalists say it’s critical, with 1 in 5 planning to leave the profession.

🧠 Solutions, not just problems: Discover actionable steps newsrooms of all sizes can take—starting today.

🔄 Rethinking newsroom culture: From flexible schedules to improving work-life balance, small changes can make a big difference.

📰 Passion under pressure: Despite challenges, 93% of journalists still see their work as a noble calling.

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11/27/2024

🚀 Episode 49 of Local News Matters Podcast with Laura Frank is out.

The Executive Director of the Colorado News Collaborative - COLab talks with host Tim Regan-Porter about sustaining local journalism through collaboration and innovation to address critical challenges.

🌟 The “fried and frozen” dilemma: How burnout and resource challenges are overwhelming local journalists—and what can help

📰 Bridging the gap: Connecting struggling newsrooms with the tools and support they need to thrive

📊 Innovation & efficiency: Shared services, AI and new tools to save time, boost revenue and engage communities

🤝 Building trust: Strengthening ties between journalists and communities

🔥 Why local news matters: Fighting misinformation, polarization and news avoidance while preserving community connections

💡 Sustainability solutions: Collaboration and philanthropy as keys to preserving local journalism

11/19/2024

🚀 Episode 47 of Local News Matters Podcast with Katherine Ann Rowlands is out.

The owner and publisher of Bay City News talks with host Tim Regan-Porter about BCN’s unique hybrid model and evolution.

Topics include:
* Balancing the needs of media & business clients and the public
* Challenges of sustainability
* Tips for replicating the model
* The importance of collaboration over competition
* Supporting the next generation of journalists
* Gender diversity in media leadership

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11/18/2024

Learn more about Colorado Press Association's new membership health insurance benefit that can help keep you, your family and your business cost-effectively covered and healthy.

Thursday at 11 a.m. MST. Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2856850510579780953

11/12/2024

🚀 Episode 46 of Local News Matters Podcast with Jim O'Rourke is out.

The CEO and founder of O'Rourke Media Group shares with host Tim Regan-Porter his journey in local media, from delivering newspapers as a kid to founding a rapidly growing digital-first publishing chain. O'Rourke discusses his approach to acquiring and revitalizing local newspapers, investing in local talent and growing the digital business. He outlines the strategic choices that have guided O'Rourke Media’s success, including his firm stance against paywalls and his commitment to community-focused journalism and sales.

In the face of industry pressures, O'Rourke explains why he values small and midsize markets and how he's developed O'Rourke Media Group’s sustainable model by prioritizing advertiser relationships, high-quality local reporting, and new digital revenue streams. He discusses his philosophy on embracing sponsored content as a core revenue source while carefully navigating editorial integrity—a delicate balance that he believes is essential for the future of local news.

O'Rourke also explores his renewed investment in print, noting the value print editions hold for both advertisers and local audiences. Reflecting on key lessons learned, he details his experiences working under Berkshire Hathaway, why he finds potential in digital agency services, and his vision for the future, including expanding into more communities and a possible employee ownership model.

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