A conversation addressing the evolving landscape of local news, strategies for community engagement, and Estes Park-specific reporting took place at the Estes Park Community Center on Thursday, Oct. 14. The discussion was facilitated by The Colorado Sun editor Dana Coffield and rural economic development writer Tracy Ross, who explored how newsrooms can better connect with readers and understand local priorities.
Coffield opened the discussion by focusing on building relationships through direct conversation and expanding The Colorado Sun's reach across northern and northeastern Colorado. A significant portion of the dialogue centered on the increasing importance of local and regional news stories, particularly in light of the disappearance of print newspapers. A report released on Oct. 13, the day before the Estes Park gathering, from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, titled The State of Local News: The 2026 Report, provided context, revealing that 170 newspapers closed or merged over the past year. This averages to more than three such events per week, with many of these outlets having been their communities’ last remaining sources of original local reporting.
These closures have contributed to a sharp increase in the number of counties now classified as "news deserts"—communities without a locally based source of professional news. The report identified 238 such counties nationwide, marking an increase of 26 from the previous year, and a significant rise compared to just six the year before. Most of these newly designated news deserts resulted from the closure of small rural newspapers, primarily in the Midwest. Beyond these complete deserts, more than 1,400 additional counties now have only one remaining local news source. This cumulative effect means that nearly 47 million Americans currently live in communities with either limited or no access to local news.
The conversation in Estes Park also highlighted opportunities to strengthen community connections through journalism. Spanish-language news was identified as a critical avenue, particularly for assisting voters in understanding issues and actively participating in civic life. Participants additionally explored methods for journalism to reach individuals who primarily receive their information outside of traditional news channels.
Coffield discussed social media as a valuable distribution tool for news content, while Ross emphasized its importance in effectively delivering reporting to diverse audiences. The exchange included consideration of the role these digital platforms can play in reaching members of the Hispanic community. The journalists and community members deliberated on how news organizations can adapt to changing information consumption habits while continuing to produce substantive journalism.
The discussion also specifically addressed Estes Park’s unique relationship with Rocky Mountain National Park. Topics included environmental stewardship within the park and the inherent interdependence between the Town of Estes Park and the Park itself. Attendees expressed interest in local news stories related to conservation efforts, accessible travel opportunities within the area, and experiences that visitors might otherwise overlook. Many participants also emphasized the value of profiling local business owners and artists, seeing this as a way to tell the story of Estes Park through the perspectives of the people who live and work in the community.
Ultimately, the gathering offered Estes Park residents a direct opportunity to identify perceived gaps in local news coverage, raise issues important to their communities, and suggest stories they believed warranted greater attention. For the journalists present, these direct conversations provided crucial insights into readers’ concerns and helped establish connections that could significantly influence future reporting endeavors.
