The Power of Print Media

The Power of Print Thrives for 26 Years in Carbon Valley, Colorado

By Linda Allour

Reaching over 30,000 with direct

mailing and social media, this newspaper’s

served Carbon Valley over a quarter

century. People can read most past issues

online at www.issuu.com/consumerreport.

“The Consumer Report (CVCR) keeps the 'small

town' feel in the Carbon Valley,” says Tom

Walsh, owner of Zenith Window Cleaning

(since 2013). “We’ve enjoyed meeting

customers who rely on the resources and

knowledge that this newspaper brings each

household. Being a family-owned business

ourselves, it’s encouraging to see a dream

continue and benefit the community

26 years later! Congratulations Kelly

Martindale!”

Celebrating 26 years, the Consumer

Report is a community niche newspaper

focusing on what’s important to the

people and businesses within Firestone,

Frederick, Dacono, and the surrounding

areas of Mead and Erie. Positive, personal,

and practical information informs

citizens of local happenings. The CVCR

includes governmental updates, seasonal

events, articles of local interest, plus free

publication of celebrations of life, birthdays,

anniversaries, and obituaries.

Even more than this, stories and

information shared in the CVCR over the

years have impacted the community in very

profound ways. Using the “power of print”,

the paper has helped countless members

of the community, such as raising money

for a woman who needed brain surgery

and families who’ve experienced house fires, and

immeasurable prayer requests for

people who’ve lost loved ones.

Once, a man called Martindale and

shared that her article on mental health

stopped him from committing suicide.

These are exceptional examples, but on a

regular basis the Consumer Report helps

people realize what great food, services,

and supplies are provided by our very

own neighbors who own and run local

businesses. We need to support them, every

day!! They keep our communities distinct

from others around us.

This is is a family oriented, hometown

publication owned and run by a women

who loves Jesus. It’s not a religious

newspaper but a newspaper that focuses

on the good in our three communities;

Frederick, Firestone and Dacono (aka the

Carbon Valley).

Although Martindale moved to Frederick from

Longmont in 1995, she and her children

continued to work, attend school, and shop

in Longmont. “It took about a year for me

to realize that our local service owners were

experts in their fields even though their

work trucks weren’t shiny and wrapped

with logos. They were work trucks! And the

small grocers had everything I needed, if I

simply looked,” said Martindale.

Later, Martindale became determined to

let the other newcomers know about the great

businesses here. She envisioned, designed,

and produced the Consumer Report, so

readers would learn that when they shop in

their own communities, they keep money

here, which helps with road improvements,

parks, and other recreational areas, plus adds

to the Fire, Police, and EMT support.

Sharing information and supporting

local businesses and organizations, is at the

heart of the CVCR. No other publication or

service connects and supports the area like

the Consumer Report. Likewise, Martindale

appreciates all the support she’s received

in exchange for her promotions of the

community organizations and businesses.

When businesses promote through the

Consumer Report, the advertising income

is spent in our communities at independent

locally owned businesses like Pepper’s

Fireside Grille, Bash’s Pizza, Firestone

Chiropractic, My Guy Heating and Air, Si

Senor, Firestone Pediatric Dentistry and

Orthodontics, and so many more!

I owned Dacono’s Daylight Donuts for

21 years and unlike other publications and

marketing methods, the CVCR was the most

cost-effective way to reach every household

in Carbon Valley.

Greg Zadel from Zadel Realty agrees

with me. Gregs the longest running

advertiser in the Consumer Report and says,

“The CVCR is a big value for the Carbon

Valley and from the beginning, has hit every

household in the Carbon Valley area!”

Creating and continuing to publish

the CVCR, Martindale encourages others

to utilize local businesses, keep consumer

dollars in our own communities and help

connect the community as a whole.