About Colorado Public News

Welcome to Colorado Public News, Colorado’s new source of news.  We invite your help in creating an organization that will produce factual, unbiased, PBS-quality reporting on Colorado news and issues that are essential for informed citizens to run a healthy democracy and thriving economy.

Colorado has lost nearly half of its journalism jobs in the past two years. With the closure of the Rocky Mountain News and cutbacks at other news operations, it is clear that advertising can no longer pay for enough of the in-depth reporting that Colorado needs.  Your donation will help produce it, and deliver it statewide.

We are about to start regular, weekly news production for a network of 14 media, including television, radio, internet, print and mobile.  Donors can help by funding journalists in particular subject areas, from watchdog reporting on state government to specialties like science, education or the economy. Volunteers, including those with particular skills, are also needed.

CPN is radically different:

- CPN focuses on uncovering significant information not being reported by anyone else in Colorado. 

- In a nation where “news” is now often just opinions, CPN sticks to the facts.  

- CPN does not publish its own opinion pieces, but encourages readers to post their comments.

- CPN is funded by donors, in the tradition of PBS and NPR.  Major donors to date include The Colorado Trust, with a grant for reporting on healthcare in Colorado; The Small Community Fund of the Denver Foundation (funded by Robert Lembke); and the Brett Foundation.  

- CPN’s content will be distributed on a broad network that includes: Colorado’s largest television station and its news website;  one commercial and three public radio stations that jointly cover the state; seven newspapers; CPN’s own website, www.coloradopublicnews.org; and CPN’s parent, Colorado Public Television 12, a PBS member station.

Beyond state boundaries, CPN’s high-quality journalism has been published by the websites of the  Los Angeles Times, PBS NewsHour and the Huffington Post.

The five-part series on the healthcare system in Grand Junction — one of the nation’s highest quality and lowest cost —  is a great example of the kind of detailed, important stories that CPN can provide.

Your support will help take CPN to the next step: Weekly production of in-depth and investigative news, researched by respected journalists.

Colorado citizens are keenly aware of the importance of the watchdog function of in-depth and investigative journalism. An informed and well-educated public is a requirement for any community that endeavors to not just grow, but to thrive. This is critical to the survival of a democracy.

Information also is essential for a healthy economy. Entrepreneurs and businesses can learn about community needs they might fill, only if someone reports the changes.

We hope to draw funding for wide-ranging coverage, from public affairs to the economy, science, health, education, energy, environment, business news, and beyond, depending on your support. We’ll also connect you to other sources of news in the state, the nation and the world.

Since PBS is one of the most trusted sources of information in America and Colorado Public Television has a 30-year history of providing independent public affairs programming on KBDI channel 12 in Denver, it is a logical launching pad for this project.

Help today
Colorado Public News needs the commitment of community leaders who value this service, and the investment of time and money by community-minded businesses and individuals. In the long run, readers and viewers can make this news project self-sustaining.

We welcome your insights on how we can best meet your needs for information and unbiased reporting. We invite you to become a supporter of Colorado Public News. If you have energy and expertise to help, we’d like to hear it. If you have bright ideas on how to pay for news, let us know. And we look forward to talking with you about ways that affiliation can raise awareness of your business or organization.

Soon, we will present an in-depth package of reporting every week, in video, audio and text, on media partners, on this website, and on CPT 12 broadcasts.  If you value great journalism and the information it provides to our community, please click through, and tell us how you can help with tax-deductible donations, suggestions, time or expertise..