April 2016 Colorado Editor by Colorado Press Association

editor colorado

April 2016

Official publication of the Colorado Press Association / coloradopressassociation.com / Vol. LXXXVII, No. 4

‘Impact on the bottom line’

CPA encouraging member participation at May 13 annual meeting By Joshua Roberts For the Editor

KEEP CALM AND

PRESS ON 2016 Colorado Press Association Annual Convention May 12-14 • Denver West Sheraton #CPAPressOn

Embracing change:

The Coloradoan constant

Fort Collins newspaper’s innovation efforts earn two major CPA awards

#newspapersthrive A

nock down walls, build a bridge. The roadmap to innovation was certainly more challenging for the Fort Collins Coloradoan than mere remodeling, but trace the roots and the trend stands out — evolution emerged when division receded. “We work as one team,” Publisher Kathy Jack-Romero said. “There is a very transparent and open dialogue. We moved our entire staff up onto one floor and broke down the walls so we’re all sharing one space.” “It’s not uncommon in this building to walk into a morning news meeting and see five advertising reps. It’s not uncommon to be in an afternoon advertising meeting and see editors.”

SERIES

#newspapersthrive is a series focused on success and/or transition stories of CPA members. These stories are available for reprint by members. By Joshua Roberts For the Editor

Pictured above: Coloradoan reporters spin cotton candy at a Food Truck Rally which drew more than 1,000 attendees to the Coloradoan. Photo courtesy of the Coloradoan

Jack-Romero is a Fort Collins veteran, having been at the paper for 10 years, the last two-plus as publisher. She hired Lauren Gustus, executive editor for two years, to oversee the newsroom. Together, they’ve created a Coloradoan culture unafraid to explore new ideas, and they’re seeing dividends on the investment through an improved bottom line and critical praise. Listen to them discuss the process and the same words come up: buy-in, transformation, experimentation, teamwork. “We have made it very clear: We are going to take calculated risks and

See INNOVATION, Page 10

The Colorado Press Association began, according to lore, nearly a century and a half ago as a drinking club. Things are a bit more formal these days, and the organization’s agenda for Friday, May 13 will be more important and complex than merely kicking back cocktails. That’s when CPA is slated to conduct its annual meeting as part of the 138th annual convention at the Denver West Sheraton. The annual meeting, set for 9:30 a.m. in the City Lights I room, is the “first event of what I call the core convention,” CPA CEO Jerry Raehal said, and will include information for the leadership of the general membership, but all CPA members are invited to attend. “We’re going to be talking about some very important things,” Raehal said. “We’re talking about member dues, we’re talking about bylaws, we’re talking about ways to improve SYNC2 Media that could have a direct impact on the bottom line for members and the CPA and SYNC2.” Last year’s annual meeting drew just a handful of CPA members outside of participating board officials, likely because of conflicts with other convention events scheduled at the same time. The schedule was adjusted this year so the annual meeting is the only event happening at that time. It will lead into Gov. John Hickenlooper’s luncheon at 11:30 a.m.

See ANNUAL MEETING, Page 11

NEWS YOU CAN USE

NEW CONVENTION DATE IN 2017 One year into a new timeframe for the Colorado Press Association Annual convention, and is moving to a new timeframe in 2017, if only slightly. The 2017 convention is scheduled for April 20-22, with the core of the convention on April 21-22 at the Denver West Sheraton. The plan is to keep the convention in April in future years. In 2018, the convention has the potential to start moving around the state.

OPENING RECEPTION

CONVENTION

NEWS

An opening reception for the 2016 Annual Convention is scheduled for 6 p.m.Thursday, May 12. It is expected to be a smaller event, with CPA members, speakers and sponsors invited. Appetizers and drinks will be available. You do not need to register for the convention to attend. Please RSVP with Jerry Raehal at 720.274.7171 or at jraehal@ colopress.net.

GET ON THE BUS Want to go to the Pulitzer Panel at the Denver Post but don’t want to drive from the convention to the Post building in downtown for the 7:30 p.m. May 13 event? You have a variety of public transportation options, including busses reserved by the CPA to get you to and fro. Busses will have three pick-up times from the Sheraton to the Post: 4:45, 5:45 and 6:45 p.m. Busses will be at the Post building at 9 and 10 p.m. to bring people back to the Sheraton. Seating is limited. You can also take light rail to the downtown area, as a lightrail station is a short walk from the hotel.

colorado editor

April 2016

Colorado Newspapers

colorado editor ISSN #162-0010 USPS # 0122-940 Vol. LXXXVII, Issue 4 April 2016

Colorado Editor is the official publication of the Colorado Press Association and is published monthly at 1120 Lincoln St., Suite 912 Denver, CO 80203 p: 303-571-5117 f: 303-571-1803 coloradopressassociation.com

Subscription rate: $10 per year, $1 single copy Staff Jerry Raehal Chief Executive Officer jraehal@colopress.net Board of Directors OFFICERS Chair Terri House The Pagosa Springs SUN terri@pagosasun.com President Keith Cerny Alamosa Valley Courier krcemail56@gmail.com Vice President Bart Smith The Tribune bsmith@greeleytribune.com Treasurer Matt Lubich The Johnstown Breeze mlubich@johnstownbreeze.com Secretary Larry Ryckman The Denver Post lryckman@denverpost.com DIRECTORS Mike Wiggins Grand Junction Daily Sentinel mike.wiggins@gjsentinel.com Beecher Threatt Ouray County Plaindealer beecher@ouraynews.com Lisa Schlichtman Steamboat Pilot & Today lschlichtman@steamboattoday.com Jason Woodside Colorado Community Media jwoodside@ coloradocommunitymedia.com Vincent Laboy The Montrose Daily Press vincentl@montrosepress.com Matt Sandberg The Summit Daily News msandberg@cmnm.com Periodical postage paid at Denver, CO 80202. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Colorado Editor 1120 Lincoln St., Suite 912 Denver, CO 80203

In the News

Denver Post editor Moore resigns

Denver Post Editor-in-Chief Gregory Moore, who resigned his position on March 15, departed the newspaper on April 1. News Director Lee Ann Colacioppo, a candidate for the job, was named interim editor. GREGORY Editor for the past 14 MOORE years, Moore helped bring four Pulitzer Prizes to The Post. He said in a statement: “The Denver Post will continue its outstanding work. There is strong and stable leadership in place. But it’s time for a fresh voice to lead from the corner office. After 14 years, I’ve decided it’s time for new challenges.” Moore, 61, was managing editor at the Boston Globe when he was recruited in 2002 by William Dean Singleton, founder and former chairman of MediaNews Group, Inc., owner of The Post. Moore said he anticipates remaining in Colorado.

Post Independent earns ASNE award The Post Independent in Glenwood Springs was recently honored by the American Society of Newspaper Editors in its annual contest. PI Editor Randy Essex won the 2016 Burl Osborne Award for EditoRANDY rial Leadership for ESSEX “editorials championing immigrant rights.” Recent past winners of the award were the Boston Globe in 2015 and the St. Louis Post Dispatch in 2014. This year’s other finalists were the Indianapolis Star and the Tampa Bay Times. The Post Independent’s entry included three editorials: “Release money for immigrant licenses,” calling for the Legislature’s Joint Budget Committee and Rep. Bob Rankin to break a partisan deadlock and authorize funds for issuing driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants; “We stand in support of immigrants,” calling for a broader path to residency and citizenship, and banning the use of the labels “illegal” and “anchor babies” in letters to the editor and guest opinions; and “We need immigration law grounded in reality,” which denounced Donald Trump’s plan to deport 11 million immigrants as a humanitarian and economic disaster.

DFM California newspaper buy finalized A federal bankruptcy judge recently approved Denver Post parent company Digital First Media’s purchase of Freedom Communications, whose flagship dailies are the Orange County Register and The Press-Enterprise of Riverside. DFM closed

the purchase for $49.8 million, less than the original bid of $52 million. DFM made the buy after a judge blocked a higher bid by the owner of the Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing Co. won a bankruptcy auction for the newspapers the previous week, bidding $56 million. But the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit, stating that if that deal went through, Tribune would have a virtual monopoly with ownership of the four largest daily newspapers in Southern California. The two dailies – as well as nine other newspapers, weeklies, magazines, digital products and websites – are now part of the newly formed Southern California News Group, led by Publisher and President Ron Hasse and Executive Editor Frank Pine. Freedom chief executive Richard Mirman and some 70 other staff members were let go as a result of the deal.

Former Gazette editor Hight managing print of a different type Last fall Joe Hight, aka “Oklahoma Joe,” editor of The Gazette in Colorado Springs, made the decision to give up the newspaper print business to buy a bookstore in his former home state of Oklahoma. Joe, JOE wife Nan and their HIGHT oldest daughter Elena own Best of Books, one of three independent bookstores in that state. He also kept some ties to the newspaper industry, writing a weekly personal column for the Oklahoma Journal Record, and teaching a Media Ethics class at the University of Central Oklahoma amid other consulting and journalistic work and a book project. As president of BOB (its Twitter moniker), Hight handles the marketing, social media (which he revamped) and local and national author events for the store that features 21,000 titles in 3,100 square feet in Edmond, a suburb of Oklahoma City. “Half the bookstore is children’s titles and half adult titles,” said Hight. “We’re known for our work with authors and schools. We’re a safe place for children who come to our store after classes at a nearby middle school. We have many loyal customers, and it warms my heart to see a young person who loves to read

and talk about it.” BOB has also instituted an Oklahoma Bestsellers list of the top 10 fiction and nonfiction books as sold at the three independents, as well as an Afternoon with Oklahoma Authors event, a Writing Series for prospective authors, poetry nights and fund-raisers with local nonprofits. “I’ve been back to Colorado and have visited The Gazette since my departure,” said Hight. “I miss the many great people I worked with, as well as the community of journalists in the state and the residents I met during my time there. I still consider the state as my second home and will try to return whenever possible. I think there’s a beauty there that goes well beyond the scenery. I made many friends who I value, respect and will long remember. I’m proud of my time and work there.” Hight’s latest challenge was surgery for a detached retina, about which he wrote columns available on the Journal Record’s website. “I had a gas bubble in my eye that prevented me from flying or going to higher altitudes,” but he added, “Facebook, Twitter and other means help keep me informed about what’s occurring in Colorado.”

Colorado SPJ names student scholarship recipients The Colorado Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has chosen six college students to receive 2016 scholarships. The chapter hands out two types of annual scholarships: the Helen Verba print journalism scholarship and the Sheldon Peterson broadcast journalism scholarship. Recipients are: Helen Verba Scholarships – sophomores Seth Bodine and Erik Petrovich, Colorado State University-Fort Collins; and sophomore Ashleigh Hollowell, Colorado State University-Pueblo; Sheldon Peterson Scholarships – junior Miranda McHodgkins, Metropolitan State University-Denver; undergraduate Bryce Reedy, Colorado Mesa University; and junior Erin Sullivan, University of Colorado-Boulder. The scholarships – totaling $6,500 – will be sent to the recipients’ college financial aid offices. The students will also receive a one-year membership to both the national SPJ and the Colorado SPJ Chapter. Students submitted applications to SPJ Scholarship Committee Chair Leticia Steffen at Colorado State University-Pueblo, and a three-person committee of SPJ board members: Doug Bell of Evergreen Newspapers, Jim Anderson of The Associated Press and Adrian Garcia of the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

What’s new in Colorado news?

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Send us your “breaking news” on: • New Hires • Promotions • People Moving On • Anniversaries • Retirements • Contest or Staff Awards & Honors

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Send your news items of 150 words or fewer (photo also welcome) to Cheryl Ghrist – caghrist@comcast.net – using subject line “Colorado Editor News.”

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April 2016

Q&A

10 questions with Randy Sunderland

‘ As in any small paper, we all wear many hats’ Q

How did each of you Sunderland children start out in the family business? Have you all worked “through the ranks,” or did each choose a specialty and go from there?

By Cheryl Ghrist Contributing Editor This issue, “10 Questions” checked in with Randy Sunderland, general manager since November 1987 for the weekly Delta County Independent newspaper in the City of Delta in western Colorado. A family affair, the many names on the newspaper’s masthead and roster of its publishing company attest to the commitment for generations. Alongside siblings Ron Sunderland and Roxanne McCormick, Randy and his wife Pat carry on the tradition day by day. Randy and Pat reside in Delta with Rory, a part-St. Bernard that adopted them a few years ago. Ron, his wife Ann, and Roxanne also call the city home, and parents Norman and Gladys live five miles outside Delta.

Ron and I worked “through the ranks.” I got my start doing odd jobs at the papers where my dad worked, and landed my first paying job as a carrier for a small daily in Wellington, Kansas. Ron started working as a teenager for the family paper in Limon and joined my parents when we added the Paonia paper to the business. Roxanne was not as involved in the business while growing up, and joined the operation about the same time we expanded to the Western Slope.

You’re very keen on evolving Internet technologies and have said you’re working on developing a “business model to generate sustainable web-based revenue stream” for your operation. Where do you think the industry stands on that at this point, and how are your efforts progressing?

The family corporation founded by your parents, Norman and Gladys Sunderland, has owned the 6,000plus circulation Delta County Independent since 1987. Prior to that they owned the North Fork Times in Paonia (1984;merged into DCI in 1988) and The Limon Leader (1972; sold in 1992). Previously living in Kansas, Alaska and Montana, did they start out in the newspaper business, or did they have other occupations?

My dad started in the newspaper business as a teen in Kiowa, Kansas. Shortly after marrying, Norman and Gladys owned a weekly in Cedarvale, Kansas, and they say my crib was set up close to the linotype because it was warm and dad could keep an eye on me. The business failed, which started a trek through newspapers in Montana, Alaska and Kansas, where dad honed his skills in all aspects of the business. My folks always had their sights set on owning another paper, which brought the family to Limon in 1972.

This is truly a family owned and operated business, through Leader Publishing Co., Inc., founded in 1972. Can you go through the family members, and tell us what their day-today job duties are?

Courtesy photos

Randy and Pat during one of their many hikes in and around Delta County. and Ann’s daughter, Ashlee, is a student at CU-Denver. Roxanne’s son Josh and his family live in upstate New York. All worked at the paper while growing up, and are now pursuing other careers.

As far as education, you studied business administration and accounting for a year at Western State Colorado University in Gunnison, then transferred to Colorado State University in 1980 to finish your degree in business administration. You were owner/editor of The Limon Leader from 1980-1992, and have been general manager now for more than 28 years. Was your plan always to work with the family business?

I briefly considered marine biology and the U.S. Naval Academy, but ultimately decided I probably would stay in the family business. So I entered Western State focused on learning to run a small business. After Pat and I married in 1975 I transferred to CSU and found their program at the time was not focused on entrepreneurial management. So I found myself drifting, feeding my curiosity with a wide range of classes – from religion to geology, literature to anthropology. While I did not complete my degree, I left college with a broad education that was well-suited to community journalism.

As in any small paper, we all wear many hats. Norman and Gladys served as publishers until 2015, when they transferred their ownership to us kids, and are no longer involved in the business. I serve as general manager and take care of the business and financial side, as well as editing and page layout each week. I’m also responsible for the digital side of the operation. Pat is managing editor, coordinating the work of our reporting staff as well as news reporting, and does editing and page layout. Roxanne is ad director, managing our sales staff and customer development. Ron is production manager, managing a staff of two, taking care of all aspects of production and support for the digital workflow. Ron’s wife Ann is an ad sales rep. Pat and I have two sons: Brian and his family live in Fairbanks, Alaska, and Kevin and his family live in southern Maine. Ron

I was an early advocate for integrating the Internet and viewed it as a great opportunity for our paper, and for the industry. We have tried several different approaches to monetizing that digital product, without much success. Part of the problem is our local business community has been slow to embrace the digital world, and marketing dollars are not managed in that direction. As a result, our ad department focuses on the print side. The Internet is proving to be a great way to deliver the news and not so great in generating revenue in our local market. I appreciate the SYNC2 University webinar on selling digital. It should help energize my staff to again explore digital with our advertisers.

You were on the Colorado Press Association board of directors for nine years, including serving as president in 2006 and as chairman. How did you become a director, and of which accomplishments are you most proud during your service?

The many hats of ownership – Randy, Ron and Norman Sunderland tackle building maintenance projects during a recent Saturday.

I was recruited by Richard Ballantine and Ed Otte, who believed I would be a good representative for rural weeklies and the Western Slope. I felt like a fish out of water, with a lot of hands-on experience and little formal training, and was in awe of the skills of my fellow directors. That all changed after that first board meeting, or rather after that meeting when we gathered informally in the bar. We came to know and respect the different perspectives each of us brought to the table, and lasting friendships were formed. And what an incredible learning experience for me!

See 10 QUESTIONS, Page 11

colorado editor

April 2016

C PA BOARD E LECTION : 2016 2016 Annual Meeting ¢ Friday, May 13, 2016 ¢ 9:30 a.m. at the Denver West Sheraton The following slate of candidates will appear on the ballot during the annual board election, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 13 during the annual convention at the Denver West Sheraton. Terri House, of the Pagosa Springs SUN, is leaving the board after completing her tenure as board chair. The Nomination Committee has reviewed the applications, and recommends that Becky Justice-Hemmann, publisher of the Berthoud Weekly Surveyor, be appointed. Voting CPA members may vote in the person or by proxy at the annual meeting. If you would like to vote by proxy, contact the CPA office for instructions.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR Keith Cerny Publisher, Valley Courier, Alamosa krcemail56@gmail.com Keith Cerny is publisher of the Valley Courier in Alamosa. He is also a division manager for News Media Corporation with oversight of nine newspapers in Colorado and Wyoming, including a daily, six weeklies and a shopper in the San Luis Valley. Prior to moving to Alamosa in 1992, Cerny served on the Wyoming Press Association Board of Directors while publisher in Evanston and Lusk, WY. Cerny sits on the Adams State College Foundation Board, is president of the ASC Grizzly Club Board, Alamosa County Economic Development Board, Creede Theatre Board, SLV Arts and Entertainment Committee, San Luis Valley Regional Council for El Pomar Foundation and the Alamosa Rotary Club. He was appointed to the CPA Board of Directors in 2009. PRESIDENT Bart Smith General Manager of Greeley Publishing Co. bsmith@greeleytribune.com Smith became publisher of the Greeley Tribune in 2007, and soon after was named general manager of the newspaper group for Swift Communications that includes the weekly Windsor Now, and the Fence Post weekly agriculture publications and websites in Colorado and Nebraska, as well as two agriculture weeklies in South Dakota. After earning a journalism degree from the University of Wyoming just up the road from Greeley and stints in Rawlins and Lander, Wyo., Smith moved on to Whitefish, Mont., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and Roseburg, Ore. in editor and publisher roles before circling back to the Rockies. Smith got hooked on newspapers as a young U.S. Army correspondent in Vietnam in 1971. He is past president of the Montana Press Association and chaired the News Education

Committee of the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. He is a former member of the National Press Photographers Association and the National Conference of Editorial Writers. Smith lives in Greeley with his wife and a daughter attending college. His oldest daughter is a reporter for the Summit Daily News in Frisco, Co.

He also has been City Editor at The Post, Local News Editor at the Greeley Tribune and Managing Editor at The Gazette in Colorado Springs.

VICE PRESIDENT Matt Lubich Executive Editor, Co-Owner, The Johnstown Breeze; General Manager, The Mirror mlubich@johnstownbreeze.com

Lisa Schlichtman was named Editor of the Steamboat Pilot & Today in July 2013. In addition to her passion for the newspaper industry, Lisa has been actively involved in a variety of community projects and organizations, serving in leadership roles for many. She currently is a member of the Steamboat Springs Rotary Club, is involved with the Leadership Steamboat program and serves on the Yampa Valley Autism Program Advisory Board. During Lisa’s 25-year newspaper career, she has served in many capacities including: newspaper reporter, editor, owner and publisher of newspapers and magazines in Southwest Missouri. She is a native of St. Louis, Mo., and a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Lisa and her husband, Mike, owned the Cassville Democrat and Wheaton Journal weekly newspapers from 1995 to 2005, during which time Lisa served as editor and copublisher of both publications. The Schlichtmans sold the newspapers to Rust Communications, and Lisa continued her career with the newspaper company. She helped oversee Rust’s acquisition of The Monett Times, being named editor and co-publisher of the four-day-a-week daily newspaper while retaining those same duties with the Cassville Democrat. During her tenure, the Cassville Democrat and Monett Times won numerous awards from the Missouri Press Association Better Newspaper Contest. Lisa was also instrumental in launching a monthly regional lifestyles magazine (Connection) and a quarterly outdoors magazine (Ozarks Outdoors) for Rust, serving as editor of both publications. Lisa and Mike have two sons, Nicholas, who lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Ryan, who lives in Denver. Lisa was elected to the CPA board of directors in February 2014.

Matt Lubich is the Executive Editor and coowner of The Johnstown Breeze and General Manager of The UNC Mirror. He has co-owned The Breeze with his wife, Lesli Bangert, since 1997. The 108-year-old weekly newspaper has been covering the communities of Johnstown and Milliken (Colo.) and surrounding Weld and Larimer counties since 1904. Lubich grew up in Pueblo, Colo., where his first job in the business was driving a Sunday morning contract delivery route for the Pueblo Chieftain; filling racks and newsstands around town. A graduate in 1986 with a degree in journalism from the University of Northern Colorado, Lubich was voted the “Most Promising Freshman Journalism Student” and also was once introduced to someone by UNC JSchool professor Dave Anderson as “my most recalcitrant student.” Lubich had to go home and look up recalcitrant. He worked at the Evans Star Press and for legendary Colorado editor Percy Conarroe at The Lafayette News in the late 1980s. Returning to Colorado in 1991 from New Mexico, he wandered into the Breeze one day looking for freelance work. He eventually became the paper’s editor, before he and his wife purchased it from Clyde and Ardis Briggs in 1997. In 2002, and again in 2005, The Breeze won the General Excellence Award for small weeklies from The Colorado Press Association. Lubich and Bangert have two daughters, Riley, a freshman at Montana State University in Bozeman, and Harper Lee, a junior at Roosevelt High School in Johnstown. TREASURER Larry Ryckman Senior Editor/News, The Denver Post lryckman@denverpost.com Larry Ryckman is the Senior Editor/News at The Denver Post. He joined the board of directors in June 2013. Larry spent 22 years at The Associated Press as a Moscow correspondent, National Editor and Assistant Managing Editor, among other postings. He covered the war in Chechnya and has overseen coverage of major events and disasters including hurricanes, wildfires, Columbine and the presidential election recount in Florida in 2000.

SECRETARY Lisa Schlichtman Editor, Steamboat Pilot & Today lschlichtman@steamboattoday.com

HOLDOVER DIRECTORS DIRECTOR Matt Sandberg Publisher of the Summit Daily News, the Summit County Journal, the Middle Park Times and the Sky Hi News msandberg@cmnm.org Matt Sandberg started his newspaper carrier as a route carrier for the Ft. Collins Coloradoan in 1988. In high school he furthered his passion about the business as a staff reporter for Tiger Tracks,

which was printed by the Summit Daily News, the newspaper where he now serves as Publisher in Frisco, Colorado. Matt oversees Colorado Mountain News Media’s operations in Summit and Grand counties and is publisher of the Summit Daily News, the Summit County Journal, the Middle Park Times and the Sky Hi News, along with a variety of seasonal weeklies and magazines. Matt began his tenure with Swift Communications, the parent company of Colorado Mountain News Media and his operations, in June 2003 when he joined the Summit Daily as advertising account manager. In that time he has had roles as advertising sales manager and advertising director of the Summit Daily, director of sales for the Summit Daily and Vail Daily, and now his present role as Publisher. He is active in the community serving on the Summit Chamber of Commerce board, school organizations and is a member of Rotary. Matt and his wife Shannon have two young daughters, Madison (10) and Sarah (8) and a playful Bernese Mountain Dog, Apollo. As a family they spend a lot of time enjoying the outdoors of Colorado. Sandberg was elected to the board in 2015. DIRECTOR Mike Wiggins Managing Editor, The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel mike.wiggins@gjsentinel.com Mike Wiggins became the managing editor of The Daily Sentinel in Grand Junction in 2013. He’s been at the Sentinel since 2001, working as a reporter for 11 years before being named city editor in 2012. Wiggins graduated from Mesa State College in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication. He worked as a reporter at The Glenwood Post for two years before moving to Grand Junction. Wiggins serves on the board of directors for Kids Voting Mesa County, a nonpartisan, nonprofit group that strives to encourage and engage students in voting and other forms of civic participation. He previously served on a group that worked to prevent suicide in the workplace in conjunction with the Western Colorado Suicide Prevention Foundation. A native of Aurora, Colorado, he lives in Grand Junction with his wife, Erin. Wiggins was appointed to the board in 2014 and officially elected by the membership in 2015. DIRECTOR Jason Woodside Advertising Director, Colorado Community Media jbwoodside@icloud.com Jason Woodside is the advertising director for Colorado Community Media, which is based in Denver. During his 15 year career in the newspaper industry, he has served as account executive, online

See BOARD ELECTION, Page 5

colorado editor

April 2016

C PA BOARD E LECTION : 2016 2016 Annual Meeting ¢ Friday, May 13, 2016 ¢ 9:30 a.m. at the Denver West Sheraton BOARD ELECTION Continued from page 4

sales manager, niche sales manager, and as advertising director at three newspapers. Aside from his recent posts at Colorado newspapers, he has worked for newspapers in Carbondale, IL, Wilmington, NC, and Twin Falls, ID in both traditional and resort markets. He is a native of Southern Illinois where he attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. He resides in Englewood, CO with his wife, Trisha. Woodside was appointed to the CPA Board of Directors in August of 2014, and officially elected by the membership in 2015.

TWO YEAR DIRECTORS DIRECTOR Becky Justice-Hemmann, Publisher, Berthoud Weekly Surveyor Becky@BerthoudSurveyor.com Becky JusticeHemmann has been an entrepreneur all her life and owned several successful businesses in Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado. Her background hasn’t primarily been newspaper,

but in in sales and marketing. She also currently owns another business, Media Innovations. They work with business and non-profits on their marketing, public relations, graphic design, websites and publishing. Hemmann and her son started the Surveyor in June of 2004. There was another newspaper in Berthoud at the time. She has served on the Berthoud Economic Resource Team, and was president of the board of the Berthoud Area Chamber of Commerce.

in Colorado in 1997, and worked for Killian and Associates in Grand Junction as a research and writing attorney until 2004. Threatt was a columnist for Longview News-Journal in Texas from 2004-2008 and an adjunct professor at Kilgore College in Texas from 2007-2010. Threatt still works part-time as a senior research attorney for the Texas Lawyers for Children. Threatt was elected to the CPA Board of Directors in Feb. 2014.

DIRECTOR Beecher Threatt Co-Publisher, Ouray County Plaindealer beecher@ouraynews.com

DIRECTOR Vincent Laboy Publisher, The Montrose Daily Press vincentl@montrosepress.com

Beecher Threatt is copublisher of the Ouray County Plaindealer. Threatt and her husband, Alan Todd, purchased the Plaindealer and Ridgway Sun in Sept. 2010. Prior to purchasing the Ouray and Ridgway newspapers, Threatt served as a legislative aide in the Texas House of Representatives in 1981. She then practiced law as a partner in an Austin, Texas firm from 1982-1991. From 1991-1996, Threatt served as Executive Editor of a legal non-profit and adjunct professor of law at University of Texas Law School. She became licensed to practice law

Vincent Laboy was named the publisher of the Montrose Daily Press, a Wick Communications paper, in October of 2014. Laboy moved from Fremont, Neb. where he worked as a daily publisher for the Fremont Tribune since 2012. He also served as the publisher and advertising director for their weekly newspaper, the Plattsmouth (Neb.) Journal. Both were Lee Enterprise papers. Laboy started with Lee Enterprises in 2005 in the capacity of advertising director. He served on several nonprofit boards and worked with several community organizations in Neb. Prior to

joining Lee, Laboy worked with the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald, now BH Media, as an advertising account executive and then local retail sales manager. Laboy joined the organization in 1999 from a career in retail management with Best Buy, 1/2 Price Stores and Target. Laboy was appointed to the board in 2015.

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colorado editor

April 2016

Courts above CORA Lawmakers reject bill to make records of judicial branch employees subject to CORA By Jeffrey A. Roberts CFOIC Executive Director Lawmakers rejected a proposal April 6 to treat the administrative records of people who work for Colorado’s judicial branch like the records of those who work for the executive and legislative branches and all local governments in Colorado. HB 16-1346 would have made civil or internal investigative files on judicial department employees subject to the Colorado Open Records Act. Under CORA, internal affairs files on the conduct of public employees are presumed to be open for public inspection, except for portions that contain highly personal or private information unrelated to work performance. But under rules promulgated last fall by the Colorado Supreme Court, internal investigative files on judicial branch employees are not available, except for the outcome of an investigation. “My understanding of government is that we have three co-equal branches,” said Rep. Polly Lawrence, the Douglas County Republican who introduced the bill. “We should be handling them as equally as possible.” Lawrence noted that the Colorado Court of Appeals, in the 2012 Gleason v. Judicial Watch decision affirming the judicial department’s exemption from the state open-records law, appeared to leave it to the legislature to define the judiciary as a state agency for CORA purposes. Her bill, she said, “brings us a step closer to assuring that we have as open access to records as we possibly can for each branch of government.” “It just seems like a common-sense thing,” said Rep. Patrick Neville, R-Castle Rock. “It’s kind of interesting that it was the judicial branch that interpreted themselves as being outside of CORA in the first place.” But Gerald Pratt, testifying for the Colorado Bar Association, said the Colorado Constitution gives the state Supreme Court power to make rules governing the administration of the courts. “Our concern about the bill is the separation of powers issue,” Pratt said “…If you begin applying CORA to the judicial branch, what you risk is not respecting the separation of powers in our constitution.” The House State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee killed HB 16-1346 on a party-line 5-4 vote. Rep. Su Ryden, the Aurora Democrat who chairs the committee, said she would need “a much more compelling reason to essentially change the constitution.” She said testimony made it “pretty clear” that the state constitution directs the judicial branch to make its own rules. “It would seem to me we’d almost have to bring a ballot measure to overturn that piece of it to allow us to take this kind of action.” Lawrence tried unsuccessfully last session to make the state public defender’s office subject to CORA. Her 2016 bill also would have amended CORA to specify certain personal information regarding a government employee that must remain confidential: home address, telephone number, Social Security number, birth date, bank account information, tax identification number, personal signature, and personal e-mail address.

colorado editor

April 2016

‘I don’t see it as a First Amendment issue’ Lawmakers OK restrictions on medical pot advertising despite First Amendment concerns, CPA protests By Jeffrey A. Roberts CFOIC Executive Director First Amendment concerns didn’t prevent a panel of state lawmakers on April 13 from endorsing a prohibition against medical marijuana advertising that is likely to reach youths under 18. The House Finance Committee voted 9-2 in favor of HB 16-1363, despite some opinions that it’s an unconstitutional violation of commercial free speech. The Colorado Press Association and Colorado Broadcasters Association question the legality of the bill as well as existing restrictions on recreational pot advertising. But several committee members disagreed with that interpretation, saying their priority is the safety of children. “I don’t see it as a First Amendment issue,” said Rep. Jim Wilson, R-Salida. “I see it as a protecting-the-kids issue.” The legislation authorizes the state to make rules similar to the prohibitions against recreational marijuana advertising. Those rules bar pot shops from advertising in publications unless there is “reliable evidence” that no more than 30 percent of a publication’s readership is under 21. The Colorado Press Association, Westword, High Times and the Pulp magazine in

Pueblo sued over the ad restrictions, but the federal lawsuits were dismissed because the organizations didn’t have legal standing to challenge the rules. Writing to the Colorado Department of Revenue in 2013, attorney Steve Zansberg argued that state recreational pot rules “must be consistent with, and abide by, the consti-

tutional rights of merchants to communicate through the mass media with their potential adult customers.” “I think what we have are competing goods,” said Greg Romberg, lobbyist for the press and broadcasters associations, testifying against HB 16-1363. “I don’t think anyone wants to violate freedom of speech under the

First Amendment, and I don’t think anybody thinks it’s a great idea to try to entice children to smoke marijuana or use marijuana in any form.” Romberg said there isn’t “a huge problem” with the medical marijuana industry trying to direct advertising at children, and he noted that most publications likely wouldn’t run the ads anyway. Republican Reps. Lang Sias of Arvada and Kevin Van Winkle of Highlands Ranch both said they are concerned about the bill’s First Amendment issues. “I think it is most likely overbroad,” Sias said. But Rep. Jonathan Singer, the Longmont Democrat who introduced HB 16-1363, said commercial free speech protections aren’t absolute. He noted existing federal restrictions on tobacco advertising, and he questioned whether commercial free speech protections would apply to advertisements for a drug that remains illegal under federal law. “Do you have a guaranteed U.S. constitutional right – a First Amendment right – to advertise a federally illegal product?” Singer said. Visit CFOIC’s legislature page to track bills in the General Assembly that could affect the flow or availability of information in Colorado.

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colorado editor

April 2016

obituaries Laurence “Laurie” Paddock

David R. Jennings

Longtime Daily Camera editor

Longtime Broomfield Enterprise photographer

Laurence “Laurie” Paddock, who successfully ran the Daily Camera newsroom in Boulder for 32 years, died March 31, 2016, in Boulder at age 88. He was known as “a consummate community journalist” whose family guided the newspaper for a century, noted Alex Burness in a Camera article. Paddock worked for the Camera for 42 years – as everything from paper boy, janitor, photographer, reporter and the last 32 as editor. He retired in August 1992, when the article quoted Paddock as saying: “Every day has been different in some way. I met somebody new every day, wrote about something different every day. It was the right decision, all the way.” In a conversation with a Camera reporter this year, he said: “I wanted to give people the best damn paper we could. I wanted photojournalists to get the best pictures they could. I wanted the best stories we could write. I wanted to be proud, and I was proud.” Paddock came to the Camera at an early age, visiting in the 1930s as a small child with his mother to see his great-aunt, his father A.A. Paddock (a reporter, later editor), and grandfather and editor Lucius Paddock, one of LAURENCE the state’s origiPADDOCK nal newspapermen, who had bought a half-interest in the newspaper in 1892. Paddock began his own journalism career as co-editor of the Hilltop News at University Hill Intermediate School, where he met his future wife, Harriet Lehnen, who died in 2008. (The couple had two sons, Eric and Laurence Turner Jr.) Paddock went on to co-edit the Boulder High School newspaper, followed by four years in student journalism at the University of Colorado. He also served two years in the U.S. Army. Paddock was a friend and mentor to journalists, as well as an active member of his community, including the local Chamber of Commerce, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Historical Society, Rotary Club, University of Colorado Alumni Association, and the 20th Judicial District Nominating Commission. The article also quoted Al Manzi, publisher of Prairie Mountain Publishing (owner of the Camera), as saying: “It is hard to imagine one man’s life having more of an impact on his community and the lives of so many people than Laurie. His passing is certainly sad, but we should all be celebrating the life of a man that truly spent his life in service to the people he worked with and the community he served. The legend of his work lives on at the Camera and throughout Boulder.”

David R. Jennings of Longmont, longtime photographer for the Broomfield Enterprise, died April 1, 2016, four days after his 62nd birthday, of heart and other health issues. In an article by Enterprise Editor Carol Wood, Al Manzi, publisher of Prairie Mountain Publishing (owner of the Enterprise), is quoted as saying: “I am heartbroken … Dave was great at capturing not only amazing photographs of people and events, but he was a gentle man. His dedication was amazing. I don’t think he ever missed a day of work.” He also trained at one time as an emergency medical technician. But when he was a student at Longmont High School preparing for a trip to Germany, his brother gave him a camera, and Jennings fell in love with photography on DAVID R. that trip. JenJENNINGS nings began his journalism career at the Times-Call in Longmont in 1974, where he met his future wife, Linda. In 1979 he became chief photographer for the Denver Sentinel Newspapers. In 1991 he went to Boulder Publishing, now Prairie Mountain Publishing. His beat included photography in Broomfield and Boulder counties.

Jennings was also a master woodworker, crafting furniture, walking sticks, large decorative carvings, and crematory urns for families in his area. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Laura (and husband Patrick) and Crystal. The family lived in a multi-generational home in Longmont, the same home in which he grew up.

Fred D. Pottorf, Jr.

Former owner of Holly Chieftain Fred Duain Pottorf, Jr., former owner of the Holly Chieftain and a publishing company, died Jan. 11, 2016, at age 89. Services were held Jan. 16 at Holly United Methodist Church with internment in Holly Cemetery. He was born July 17, 1926, in Hastings, Neb.,

to Fred and Eva Pottorf, Sr. The family moved to Loveland when he was in grade school, then to Kremmling where he graduated high school. Pottorf worked at the Middle Park Times in Kremmling as a “printer’s devil.” In 1945 he joined the Navy. After serving for 15 months, he was honorably discharged and went on to the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he graduated from journalism school in 1951. He married Helen Colmery on April 12, 1952. The couple had four children. Pottorf went to work for the Ordway newspaper, then for the Holly Chieftain in 1952. He bought into a partnership with the newspaper, and went on to own it and a publishing company with his wife. They sold the newspaper to the Lamar Daily News in 1975. Their business continued as a publishing comFRED D. pany until they POTTORF, JR. retired in 1995. Pottorf served on the Holly Town Council and in the Lions Club, American Legion and Holly Commercial Club. He was a Holly Scout master, a lay speaker and board member of the United Methodist Church in Holly, and on the board of the Lamar Area Hospice. In retirement, the couple purchased a travel trailer and enjoyed fishing, camping and visiting relatives. Pottorf had health setbacks in 1993 and 2001, and a heart attack in 2006, after which the couple continued to travel via bus tours. In August 2013, Pottorf moved into the Holly Nursing Care Center, where he resided until his death. He is survived by his wife; daughters Annette of Casper, Wyo., and Sharon of Winter Park, Fla.; sons Rick of Indianapolis, Ind., and Kent of Garden City, Kan.; a sister, Bea of Denver; sisters-in-law Glenda Pottorf of Eugene, Ore., Suzie Pottorf of Lochbuie, Colo., and Mary Pottorf of Tucson, Ariz.; 14 grandchildren, six great-granddaughters, and one great-granddaughter on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Patsy; brothers Richard, Dale, Rodney and George; and a granddaughter, Abigail Pottorf. Memorial donations may be made to Lamar Area Hospice, Holly United Methodist Church or the donor’s choice in care of Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel, Lamar.

Frances Henry

Journalism teacher, free speech proponent Frances Henry died Jan. 30, 2016, at her home in Denver at age 76. She had battled breast cancer and lung cancer in the past before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last fall. She was born July 23, 1939, in Denver to Lewis Byford and Betsy Mae Patten. She graduated South High School and Carleton College, a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota. She went on to teach English and Journalism at Douglas County High School in Castle Rock, Colo., for more than 20 years and advised the school’s student newspaper, The Castle Courier. An article by Katy Canada in The Denver

Post noted that “Henry inspired hundreds of students to use their voices to defend freedom of speech.” She also quoted Henry’s daughter Tracy as saying, “Her whole career was about free speech and students’ freedom to publish their FRANCES newspaper.” HENRY Henry also encouraged her students and friends to become politically active. Canada quoted a former social studies teacher at Douglas County High School and longtime friend of Henry’s, Yvonne Tricarico, who said: “She was ahead of her time for women. She was out there rain or shine registering voters during elections because she believed that was important.” Henry also loved German Shepherds, and participated with Colorado Search and Rescue in the 1970s and with Denver PET Partners, where she and her dogs worked with disadvantaged youth. She is survived by a daughter, Tracy Balarezo, and a son, Kevin Henry; a brother, Cliff Patten; four grandchildren, Marco and Sofia Balarezo, and Pierson and Nathan Henry; a nephew, Scott Patten; a grandnephew, Jacksen, and a grandniece, Kylie. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Lew.

Shirley Smith

Reporter and editor for Denver metro community newspapers Shirley Anne Smith, a former reporter and editor for several newspapers in the Denver metro area, died Feb. 11. Born in 1931, she earned a bachelor of arts from the University of Utah with a major in English and a minor in art. Smith worked as a reporter and editor for community newspapers including the South Suburban Sentinel (1981-1986), Littleton Sentinel Independent and Sentinel Publishing Company (1986-1992), Get Up and Go magazine (formerly the Beacon Review newspaper, 1992-1999) and The Villager in Greenwood Village (1999-2008). She also participated in community relations and public speaking. She was a Pulitzer Prize nominee in 1987, earned two National Mature Media Awards, awards from the Colorado Press Association, the Colorado Society of Professional Journalists and the National Federation of Press Women. She was a state sweepstakes winner with Colorado Press Women, where she won more than 30 awards, including first-place honors in features, news, interviews, play and book reviews, editorials, columns and special supplements. Smith also served on the Volunteers of America Centennial committee, was involved with the National Press Foundation, an AARP Fellowship in Washington, D.C., Salute to Seniors Expo, and was a board member of Denver Women’s Press Club. She was a resident of Littleton, Colo., for 50 years and is survived by her husband of 61 years, Gerald Smith; a daughter, Anne Smith; two sons, Nathan and Matthew Smith; and five grandchildren. A memorial service took place on Friday, Feb. 26, at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Centennial, Colo.

colorado editor

April 2016

Think different Someone thought this was creative. Nope...and it’s bad design. “Think different.” It was about using a text width a slogan developed in 1997 that works well throughout by the advertising agency the entire newspaper, giving working with Apple Comreaders a stronger sense of puter, Inc. (now just Apple). structure. Apple dropped the slogan SOME THINK design is in 2002 when it shifted to about giving readers somea new advertising approach. thing new in every issue. It’s But the slogan worked well not. It’s about giving readers ED then. a sense of consistency, taking Apply that slogan to news HENNINGER special care to anchor condesign today and it still tent where readers are used works. to finding it. We have to think different about SOME THINK design is about news design, or we risk having no creating new labels, new logos, design at all. new standing elements. It’s not. It’s Here are some particulars: about creating a format for standSOME THINK design is about ing elements that will last for the creativity. It’s not. It’s about using our long term—and then fitting any new creative skills to design packages that standing elements to that format. attract readers—and make sense to SOME THINK design is about them. putting more things on the page. It’s SOME THINK design is about not. It’s about taking things away. typography. It’s not. It’s about using To create newspapers that work text type that’s highly legible in a better for our readers, we need to take format that’s highly readable. It’s a closer look at how our design is—or about using display typography that’s isn’t—working. clear, classic and straightforward. It’s We need to think different. about using type to communicate, not to “prettify.” ED HENNINGER is an indeSOME THINK design is about pendent newspaper consultant and the scattering odd column widths Director of Henninger Consulting. On throughout the newspaper, on some the web: www.henningerconsulting. pages using a different text width in all four stories on a page. It’s not. It’s com. Phone: 803-327-3322.

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colorado editor

April 2016

INNOVATION Continued from page 1

we will not win at everything,” the publisher said. “With every calculated risk we’re going to have a learning moment from it, and we’re going to have an exit strategy. The way to be innovative is to experiment our way to success. That’s mission critical.” “Innovation can be a little hard to grasp because we (tend to) think of these big ‘ah-ha’ moments,” Gustus said. “… What we’ve tried to do is drill down and make it applicable to KATHY the day-to-day. … As we look at innovation, our hope is that all of JACK-ROMERO those things over time add up and we see measurable results.” The results are in, and they reveal one drawback to The Coloradoan’s open floor plan: not enough space to put up new awards from this year’s Colorado Press Association convention. The newspaper will be honored May 14, CPA’s 138th annual gathering, at the Denver West Sheraton, sweeping the Innovation Awards — Editorial Innovation and Newspaper Innovation Awards. The Coloradoan’s contest LAUREN submissions outline a series of GUSTUS newspaper-hosted events “rooted in journalism” but designed to “create community.” The offerings range from secret suppers with local chefs to a summer hiking series to socially-conscious programs like a community-wide poverty simulation and a Nepal earthquake fundraiser, among others. “The Coloradoan has done a great job engaging the community in ways that not only resonate with citizens, but gives back,” the contest judge wrote, adding highlighted events have contributed new revenue, increased subscriber retention, and expanded audience. The newspaper strived to “continually engage with the community in ways aside from traditional target marketing,” the judge concluded. The Coloradoan’s submission also highlighted its Eat+Drink Membership program appealing to a niche audience, expanding native services, and growing paid subscribers. “They all speak to the emphasis placed on building strong relationships with our audience, our clients and our teammates,” Gustus wrote in the submission letter. Consider the judge impressed. “It is evident The Coloradoan spent much of 2015 focused on the fuMajor Awards ture of news and journalAnnouncement ism and what that means schedule: to their readers,” according to the comments. “… Each year the Colorado The Coloradoan has done Press Association gives a great job keeping up out a variety of awards at with the changing times its annual convention that and offering new ways to are judged outside the connect with current and regular contest. Below is a potential readers.” schedule of meal sessions The Coloradoan, a during which they will be Gannett property, estabannounced at this year’s lished an engagement convention. Only the team in 2014 to reach its Coloradoan’s Innovation Awards are being publiaudience across platforms cally announced prior to — public events, social the convention. media and traditional editorial space. FRIDAY Gustus said the Governors Lunch newspaper doesn’t cater • Rising Star Award specifically to print or digital. Rather, quality SATURDAY work is the priority. Keynote Lunch “We focus first on • Innovation Awards finding and telling good stories,” Gustus said. “We Awards Dinner think if we do that, that’s • Service the First going to work across • Newspaper Perso platforms. If we can of the Year develop a story arc that is • Best of Show relevant to our audience,

Photos courtesy of the Coloradoan

Outdoors reporter Stephen Meyers led a group of Coloradoan subscribers in a summer-long hiking program that culminated with the summit of Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. it’ll be relevant in print and it’ll be relevant online and it’ll be relevant in the social space.” “We don’t want to do anyone a disservice. We’ve got really loyal print readers and we’re grateful for that. And if we neglect the digital space, we’re not going to be here five to 10 years out to have this conversation.” Change, the executive editor said, is The Coloradoan constant, reflecting both its industry and the rapidly-shifting community it covers. Fort Collins, home to Colorado State University, is routinely listed among top communities in the country on quality of life lists. The city population is about 156,000, a number that does not include 30,000 or so CSU students. The city, Gustus said, is grappling with the prospects of major growth, and it’s a key issue the newspaper covers. There’s concern new development may eventually price people out, and a rallying cry around town is “Not Boulder, no, not Boulder,” she said. Economy is a consideration for the newspaper when developing new ideas and programs, from profit and loss prospects to affordability for readers. “We try to engage certainly in revenue opportunities whenever we can, but it’s also important for us to deliver on

our promise to Fort Collins to be a leader in the community,” Gustus said. “… Not everything needs to have a price tag attached to it, and that’s a conversation we have in the newsroom all the time.” Another important investment the newspaper cited in its contest submissions was the relationships it tries to foster with employees. The newspaper opened an employee cafe in 2014, a meeting spot for colleagues to gather and unwind, and also hosts monthly get-togethers, like a Super Bowl celebration with wings, or happy hour with beer and cocktails for “big internal wins.” The atmosphere promotes unity, reverberating down the line with open communication and a better product. “It’s important that news and advertising both understand each other’s perspectives and jobs,” Gustus wrote. “Quality time together …help us get there.” Jack-Romero said she looks across her newspaper and sees not holdouts, but eager contributors. “It has been a journey to get where we’re at, and I can say confidently that everyone has bought in,” she said. “… There’s not one person on my team who doesn’t have their elbows on the table, leaning in, wanting to be a part of the solution.”

The Coloradoan hosts monthly Secret Suppers for Eat + Drink members. Locations are revealed a day before the dinner. Local chefs pair their menu with locally-sourced beer and wine.

colorado editor

April 2016

ANNUAL MEETING Continued from page 1

Courtesy photo

Randy with Lily, the youngest of four grandchildren.

10 QUESTIONS Continued from page 3

Looking back, during my time on the board we had to bring the association’s antiquated internal operations into the modern world and made some bold moves that laid the foundation for what has become a vibrant and dynamic organization and productive advertising service to our members. I also am pleased with being a strong voice for independently owned papers, especially in small markets, and finding ways to build upon our common strengths, respecting our differences while making decisions affecting our members. My biggest disappointment was postponing the debate to be more inclusive with paid and “free” papers, but the internal restructuring took priority.

Q A Q A

Married more than 60 years, your parents now enjoy family and church activities, traveling and antiquing. Do they still get involved in the newspaper, for input or advice? Norman and Gladys have officially left the business, with the kids taking full ownership in late 2015. We still talk shop regularly, and we often call dad to help on projects. Mom is quite content to be retired. Can you name your top three mentors, in or out of journalism, and how they influenced you?

My dad has always been a mentor, being a willing listener and full of practical advice. We formed a great partnership in the business, and he always respected my perspective as we adapted the business through several technology shifts. His best advice: “We may own the paper, but it really belongs to the community.” Richard Ballantine taught me to be confident in my abilities, to be a strong voice for our industry, and to be a thoughtful and respectful leader in the business and in my community. Suzy Meyer became a good friend and mentor as we served together on the board. She showed me how to stay focused on the bigger picture despite the distractions, and to stay true to my convictions. She also demonstrated that publishers can be compassionate and caring for their communities.

Q A

One of the most pressing issues at the annual meeting will be an update and possible proposal options on CPA’s 2017 membership dues structure. The CPA CEO said he’s hoping to make headway on a fee question that’s lingered for a while now. “The formula is old and antiquated,” Raehal said. “… Basically we’re trying to figure out what makes the most sense for our dues to be based upon in 2016. “This has been a 30-year debate we’re trying to resolve.” Another issue listed on the meeting agenda is a proposal to form a board for SYNC2, a for-profit subsidiary of the not-for-profit CPA. CPA received a legal opinion suggesting the current leadership structure — one board that oversees both CPA and SYNC2 — be splintered to avoid potential IRS red flags. CPA staffers are crafting a proposal to separate the boards. If the proposal is approved, a new, mostly independent SYNC2 board could be in place by January 2017. Bylaw changes are also being proposed, with the biggest change for members being the ability to vote electronically for general membership questions if the board approves it. Other bylaw changes would change the board structure titles, and clean up the language in the bylaws. The meeting agenda also includes updates on public notices, and the election of officers and directors (see page 4 for the nomination committee’s recommendation). The election of officers and directors, as well as bylaw changes require a vote of the membership, and proxy documents will be posted to the CPA website by May 1. Or you can contact the CPA office to have them sent to you. Meeting will have summaries of CPA and SYNC2 financials. If you would like to see the full budgets or if you would like a copy of the annual meeting packet prior to the meeting, email Jerry Raehal at jraehal@colopress.net.

If you go …

What: CPA annual meeting When: 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 13 Where: City Lights 1 in the Denver West Sheraton Open to all CPA members Agenda Items Include: Approval of minutes Treasurers report • 2015 Year End Financial Report • 2016 Budget New business • Bylaw changes • SYNC2 board proposal • Public Notices • Update on 2017 dues structure • Committee sign-up Election of Officers and Directors • Meeting will have summaries of CPA and SYNC2 financials. If you would like to see the full budgets or if you would like a copy of the annual meeting packet prior to the meeting, email Jerry Raehal at jraehal@ colopress.net.

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From your Facebook postings, looks like you’re really into cycling – mapping out and detailing your rides and accomplishments. When did you get into that, and do you have a big goal in mind?

Cycling is a passion, and nothing clears the mind like 30 miles on the bike. It also lets me enjoy a brew or two without guilt! I’ve always biked, beginning as a paper carrier with my bags strapped to the handlebars, and developed my preference for long distances over the past decade or so to keep my aging knees working. On my bucket list is an epic solo cross-country ride … maybe to Alaska or coast to coast. More realistic is doing century rides (100-plus miles in a day) each year, and doing long rides with my youngest son, who also has the biking bug.

Q A

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Neat desk or not, and what would we see of note in your office?

Definitely not a neat desk … a reader routinely reminded me of National Clean Your Desk day! My desk is in our front office, where I greet those coming in and often answer the phone. Of note on the walls are photos of the faces and places of our community, a Jack Roberts print, a row of CPA awards, and a Business of the Year award. In my desk you will find a pica pole and makeup rule, reminders of my letterpress roots.

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