Sopris Sun Annl Rpt 2017.qxp_Sopris Sun Annl Rpt 5/15/18 3:48 PM Page 1
hen The Sopris Sun got its start in 2009, even the founders—crazy and committed as they were— wondered if a nonprofit newspaper could survive very long. Well, here we are, nine years later, writing and publishing our way toward our 10th birthday. Get ready for some boisterous high-fiving come February.
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e currently provide regular employment to seven local residents: the editor, Will Grandbois; graphics/layout wizard, Terri Ritchie; reporter Megan Tackett; staff photographer/writer Jane Bachrach; ad manager, Carol Fabian; delivery person, Tommy Sands; and bookkeeper, Betsey Safford. We also pay freelance writers and photographers for their contributions. The editor is the only full-time employee.
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Meanwhile, we are pleased to present this annual report, celebrating your community newspaper’s many 2017 accomplishments. We couldn’t have done it without the support of countless individuals, businesses, nonprofits, local governments and institutions, not to mention our very dedicated staff and board. Thank you all! This year we are especially proud of the recognition The Sopris Sun received at the annual Colorado Press Association (CPA) statewide convention. Long-time Sopris Sun photographer Jane Bachrach received two first-place awards for her work (one for a spread she did on the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo, one for her overall portfolio), contributor Mark Burrows took second place for a photo of the KDNK Ladies’ Arm Wrestling Contest, which ran on a cover in March 2017, and our website (soprissun.com) was honored with the top prize in its category. Not bad for the first time we’d ever submitted work to CPA.
A Report to Our Community
• We distribute between 4,000 and 5,000 print copies of the paper each week, depending on the season. We distribute to 75 main locations up and down the Roaring Fork and Crystal River valleys (from West Glenwood to Aspen and Redstone) and to 20 additional smaller drops in Carbondale. • On average, 1,500 readers get their news at soprissun.com each week. May 2017 was the biggest month of online readership yet, with more than 8,500 visitors to the website. Our new mobile-friendly design makes it easier than ever to read The Sun. • Some 1800 people have “Liked” us on Facebook. How about you? Check us out on Instagram too! The Sopris Sun would not exist without your support. Please make a gift of any size today! Every bit helps.
We will continue to work hard for our mission “to inform, inspire and build community.” This truly is your paper…we hope we can count on your continued readership, engagement, and financial support.
It’s easy to donate at www.soprissun.com/donate or mail your gift to PO Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623
INCOME
EXPENSES Staff · 57% $146,697 Advertising · 89% $213,839
2017 Total $239,650
Donations · 11% $25,811
OUR MISSION To inform,
Printing & Web · 23% $59,003
2017 Total $259,583
Distribution · 4% $10,930
inspire,
Advertising · 84% $220,700
2018 Budget Total $262,200
Donations · 16% $41,500
Staff · 56% $147,414
and
build
community
Admin/Rent · 16% $42,953
Printing & Web · 22% $57,000
2018 Budget Total $262,200
Admin/Rent · 18% $46,200 Distribution · 4% $11,586
Sopris Sun Annl Rpt 2017.qxp_Sopris Sun Annl Rpt 5/15/18 3:49 PM Page 2
This is what we featured in 2017 Kids & Youth 125 times
Special Events 85 times
Nonprofits 60 times
Interesting Locals 190 times
Local Government 115 times
Everything Under the Sun
Local businesses 53 times
Listen to Editor Will Grandbois and Reporter Megan Tackett on Thursdays at 4 pm on KDNK featuring community guests and local news!
Arts features 98 times
Upcoming events 55 times
Local voices: 70 columns and too many letters to count Local History 28 times
Sustainability & Environment times
63
Be a part of The Sun
We welcome your photos, articles, columns, and letters. Contact news@soprissun.com