is available at www.soprissun. com, which averaged more than 2,000 hits per week, an increase of 15 percent over 2018 — and a figure we’re on track to far exceed this year. In addition, we ended the year with 2,358 Facebook “likes” as well as a following on Instagram and Twitter.
A REPORT TO OUR COMMUNITY Dear Readers, Advertisers, and Supporters, Now in its eleventh year, despite the changes in the news industry and the world in general, The Sopris Sun continues to publish stories that matter. As evidence for this claim, we are pleased to present our Annual Report celebrating the newspaper’s accomplishments in 2019. When the Board of Directors approved the 2020 budget in January, it was with a great deal of optimism. With the support of advertisers and donors, we successfully met our budget and ended the year slightly “in the black,” financially speaking. A few weeks later, we celebrated the paper’s birthday with an enthusiastic crowd of friends and neighbors at a screening of the classic film, E.T.—the Extra-Terrestrial. We were looking forward to another productive year for our nonprofit Western Slope newspaper. Then the unimaginable happened, and suddenly COVID-19 had changed the way everyone would be doing business for the foreseeable future. As Editor Will Grandbois wrote at the end of 2019: “This isn’t really the same newspaper it was a year ago.” Today, this is more true than we ever imagined. What we have learned from this sudden event is
that such a disaster means that The Sopris Sun, the Valley’s only independent nonprofit newspaper, is more important than ever. People need a nonbiased, trusted source for local news, information and simple help in their day-to-day lives. Equally important, we need a paper that reminds us of our humanity, the importance of our community, and the necessity of being in touch with one another. The Sopris Sun takes that responsibility seriously. Employment The year 2019 brought some new employees to the Sun. We welcomed talented graphic designer Ylice Golden, outstanding advertising manager Todd Chamberlin, and creative staff writer Roberta McGowan. Will Grandbois continues as editor and Tommy Sands manages deliveries — though James Steindler has stepped in to help under the circumstances. Our growing team of freelancers provides fresh new perspectives on community news and features. And volunteer helpers and board members round out the organization. The web Along with our presence in print, much of our content
Finances Thanks to a robust advertising program and generous donors, The Sopris Sun met its budget while staying “in the black” for 2019. Several new folks stepped up to become “Honorary Publishers,” a group of 16 donors who have pledged $1000 or more annually. Events Last year, The Sopris Sun hosted an elegant evening at The Redstone Castle, where fans of San Francisco-based pianist Robin Sutherland turned out for an intimate concert in the formal ballroom. Sutherland, a frequent soloist with the San Francisco Symphony and a former resident of Carbondale, performed for a sold-out crowd, some of whom stayed the night in one of the Castle’s historic suites — all to benefit The Sopris Sun. In closing, we would like to thank our readers, generous contributors and advertisers who over the past eleven years have been the most important sources of support for this valiant experiment in nonprofit newspapering. The Sopris Sun could not exist without all of your support, and we ask you to remember to give what you can to keep the spirit of independent media alive. Your gift, whatever the size, brings the Sopris Sun closer to another successful year.
SENIOR MATTERS OF CARBONDALE
8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • April 30 - May 6, 2020
INCOME 2019 Budget Total: $291,378
2020 Budget Total: $296,190
Advertising: $229,694 Grants: $4,000 Donations: $57,684
Advertising: $243,190 Grants: $5,000 Donations: $48,000
EXPENSES 2019 Budget Total: $291,343
2020 Budget Total: $290,506
Staff: $149,257 Printing & Web: $63,390 Admin/Rent: $67,699 Distribution: $10,997
Staff: $145,240 Printing & Web: $64,820 Admin/Rent: $69,446 Distribution: $11,000
FEATURED IN 2019 LOCAL GOVERNMENT 79 TIMES
EVENTS 63 TIMES
ENVIRONMENT & OUTDOORS 73 TIMES
REGIONAL ISSUES 27 TIMES
BUSINESSES & NONPROFITS 49 TIMES
BREAKING NEWS 10 TIMES
SCHOOLS & EDUCATION 58 TIMES
LOCAL PEOPLE 46 TIMES
ARTS 43 TIMES
HISTORY 21 TIMES
The tradition of featuring mothers and their babies from the last year will continue — we’re just moving our photo shoot outside. • Call Mark Burrows (379-4581) to set a time for this Thursday, Friday or Saturday at the Sopris Park gazebo. • Please don’t show up without an appointment • Social distancing measures will be observed
¡No los olvidamos, mamás! La tradición de presentar a las madres y sus bebés del año pasado continuará: solo estamos trasladando nuestra sesión de fotos al exterior. • Llame a Raleigh Burleigh (456-6929) para programar una hora para este jueves, viernes o sábado en el mirador del Sopris Park. • Es necesario hacer una cita antes de presentarse • Se observarán medidas de distanciamiento social.
RFVPhoto.com
We didn’t forget you, moms!
THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • APril 30 - May 6, 2020 • 9