Pikes Peak Bulletin Nonprofit News Outlet

Background Statement

In one iteration or another, the Pikes Peak Bulletin has been serving Manitou Springs since at least 1918, and a couple of decades before that, anecdotally. In December 2022, it was subsumed (along with five other publications) into one nonprofit news source publication, which subsequently failed by March 2023. At that point, a group of concerned citizens banded together to revive the Bulletin, this time as a nonprofit newspaper. This was a growing trend in the U.S, as small community newspapers sought to avoid being acquired and then shuttered by conglomerates.

In the first three months of the revival of the Bulletin, we expanded the Pikes Peak Bulletin’s coverage area to include Manitou Springs, Old Colorado City, Downtown Colorado Springs, and the Lower Ute Pass. This was an important expansion, as several hyperlocal newspapers had folded in recent years, leaving a news desert in those areas.

In the first few months, we held three town halls in the communities that we cover. We also approached a Colorado College journalism class to gather their thoughts and feedback. These town halls were well-attended and the students were incredibly committed with their input. We asked everyone the same three questions:

1. Where have we not been serving the community? Where’s the gap?

2. How can we make the Pikes Peak Bulletin more relevant to your community?

3. How can we help to build better community?

It’s our intention to revisit these questions on a yearly basis by holding annual listening tours.

We believe the formula for financial support and sustainability will come from a combination of local philanthropy, subscription memberships, and advertisers. In our first year, it was challenging to just keep learning and producing the best publication we could achieve.

Now in our second year, we are focusing on making improvements, building on our momentum. Our board is hammering out a long-term strategic plan with a focus on our digital version, ADA accessibility and learning new technology. In this second year, we have great opportunity for grant funding and creating community events for greater awareness and support. Working with a small staff with the constant unease of an insecure funding environment is something we work to solve. We are enhancing our organization by continuing to seek and hire the most talented leadership and work staff possible.

Into our third year we will refine our operational processes and best practices, finding economies of scale and creating a well-run news source while engaging our readers, supporters and community.