After Colorado newspaper announces that it might go out of business, readers respond with $34,000 in donations

A Colorado newspaper struggling to stay in business found that its supporters in the community were willing to donate to the cause once they learned about the dire situation.

Leaders of the Rio Blanco (Colorado) Herald Times, which promotes the fact that it has been “Serving the citizens of Meeker and the White River Valley since 1885,” announced on Oct. 13 that it would have to close after publishing the Oct. 26 issue because the business was running out of money.

Supporters of the publication, however, didn’t want that to happen and have contributed more than $34,000 so far to the newspaper to keep it operating.

Rio Blanco County, pop. 6,500
(Wikipedia photo)

A guest column published in the newspaper and online at theheraldtimes.com described the situation as “an unprecedented emergency that deserves rapid and comprehensive support of every resident of our county and community residents served by this venerable and renowned publication.”

The donations, while substantial, will only help so much. But according to an editor’s note published last week: “Thanks to the generosity of the community, the HT has received enough donations to continue publication for at least another six weeks while we configure a long-term mechanism for sustainability.”

As owner Niki Turner told Corey Hutchins, co-director of Colorado College’s Journalism Institute: “It’s kind of like after someone has a massive accident, ends up on life support, and then the doctor comes out and says ‘Oh, you’re going to live.’”

Hutchins reported: “Part of what led to the advertising crash, Turner said, is two-pronged: Some advertisers have said they are just too busy with clients and work that they don’t need to advertise; other businesses have moved their advertising to Facebook where they can post and share ads on community message board pages for free.”

Turner recommends that other newspaper leaders share more information with the community about their their business struggles, so residents will better understand the situation and can provide support.