Colorado Press Association

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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11/01/2024

🚀 Episode 45 of Local News Matters Podcast with the authors of “Reviving Rural News” is out.

Teri Finneman (KU William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications), Nick Mathews (Missouri School of Journalism) and Pat Ferrucci (CU Boulder College of Media, Communication and Information) talk with host Tim Regan-Porter about the unique challenges facing rural newspapers in the wake of the local news industry's financial crisis. They discuss their yearlong experiment with a Kansas newspaper, offering insights into how small community-based outlets can diversify revenue streams and reconnect with their readers. The conversation highlights the disconnect between traditional business models and the needs of both rural publishers and their audiences.

The guests also touch on the psychological and organizational barriers that hinder innovation in local newsrooms. From reluctance to explore new revenue sources like philanthropy to the ongoing devaluation of journalism, they offer candid perspectives on why rural news must evolve to survive. Key takeaways include lessons on pricing, the power of e-newsletters and the role of newspapers as vital community institutions.

With practical examples from their case study in Kansas, the discussion reveals how local publishers can take small but significant steps to adapt their business models and better serve their communities.

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10/23/2024

🚀 Episode 44 of Local News Matters Podcast with Nicholas Dawes of THE CITY NY is out.

The executive director of THE CITY talks with host Tim Regan-Porter about the vital role the outlet plays in New York’s shrinking local news ecosystem. He explains how his organization fills coverage gaps left by retrenching legacy media, focusing on investigative reporting and service journalism to meet the needs of New Yorkers across all boroughs.

Dawes also delves into THE CITY’s unique strategies for community engagement, including open newsrooms and dynamic beat assignments, allowing them to stay responsive to the city's most pressing issues. He highlights how their mission-driven approach prioritizes impact over viral traffic, balancing coverage for both affluent media-savvy readers and underserved communities.

On the business side, Dawes shares insights on nonprofit journalism’s financial sustainability, from leveraging philanthropy and membership to navigating New York’s competitive fundraising environment. He reflects on his transition from large global organizations to a leaner, more focused newsroom, where the immediacy of local impact offers both challenges and rewards.

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