Your donations will directly support our journalists to produce more stories in 2027. We have secured $55,000 in matching gift funds from local donors, Colorado Media Project and NewsMatch.
+ All new monthly donations are matched 12X up to $1,000
+ $1,000 bonus possible with 50 new donors ~ every giving level makes a difference!
“Independent, investigative journalism has always found a way,
adapting to evolving needs and changing times.”
– Curtis Wackerle, Editor & Executive Director, Aspen Journalism
Aspen Journalism is a nonprofit news organization based in Aspen, Colorado, founded in 2011 to provide investigative and in-depth journalism to the benefit of those with a stake in the Aspen area, the Roaring Fork Valley and the greater Colorado River watershed. We believe that quality, in-depth journalism is fundamental to democracy because well-informed citizens make better decisions.
Aspen Journalism in 2026 received 10 awards in the Colorado Press Association’s Better News Media Contest and seven in the Society of Professional Journalists’ Top of the Rockies competition.
The awards reflect a tremendous breadth of work, with honors for public service reporting, investigative storytelling, breaking news, politics coverage and infographics. The recognized work examined the concentration of wealth and influence in Aspen, the uncertain future of the Colorado River, immigration enforcement, public lands, education policy, stream access, efforts to reconnect with Aspen’s history and the sale of St. Benedict’s Monastery. By the Society of Professional Journalists, Aspen Journalism was recognized across the categories of business enterprise reporting, climate reporting, legal news, general reporting for a series or package, arts & entertainment, information graphic, and social justice.
Sixteen honors went to reporting by Paul Andersen, Eleanor Bennett, Kari Dequine, Catherine Lutz, Laurine Lassalle, Heather Sackett, Elizabeth Stewart-Severy, Curtis Wackerle and Kaya Williams.
“The elevated conversation you’re bringing to rooms beyond self-insulated conferences about the needs of journalism meeting the moment — no notes. Thank you.”
– Megan Tackett, Aspen Daily News Associate Publisher
“I appreciate an independent and objective voice examining local issues.”
– Randy Gold
"Thank you to Aspen Journalism for the investigative reporting on the ICE holding facility in Glenwood Springs. We must support a free press. Keep up the good work!"
– Nancy Hess, April 25, 2026 Letter to the Editor, Aspen Daily News
“Excellent, informative, in-depth and well-written reporting.”
– Sara Garton
Collaboration is a key value for Aspen Journalism and it has led to successful outcomes this year. We worked hand-in-hand with six outside news organizations on editorial projects. We split the funding and editorial responsibilities for our Social Justice Desk with Aspen Public Radio, and we teamed up with reporters at Aspen Daily News to enhance coverage of crucial topics. Our in-house data editor regularly works with other AJ staff and contributors to enhance data analysis and presentation. Our stories were shared with dozens of news organizations across the state. We’re committed to collaboration because we believe that by working together, we can increase the quality of the local news ecosystem for everyone.
“Aspen Journalism is great because they provide in-depth reporting on topics that wouldn't otherwise get covered. I am proud to be able to share their work with our readers.” — Andre Salvail, Aspen Daily News editor-in-chief
Supporters value the quality of our journalism. They are passionate about the beats we cover from our water, environment, social justice, history and data desks; they understand the importance of in-depth reporting on local topics that otherwise wouldn’t be covered; they understand the impact of our reporting on the places they love; they believe in our reporters and leadership, and they value our unbiased reporting to the community.
This investigative journalism is produced for you — the community — and provided to our collaborators as a public service. These stories go untold without the dedication of our reporters and the generosity of our readers and funders.
Will you make your impact on the community and donate to nonprofit journalism today?
Our mission is to to produce investigative, in-depth, and insightful journalism for the benefit of anyone with a stake in the broader community of Aspen, because we believe well-informed citizens make better decisions and quality journalism is essential to democracy.
Organization name
Aspen Journalism
other names
AJ
2011
Tax id (EIN)
35-2400162
Category
Public & Societal Benefit, Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, Environment, Housing & Shelter
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
1280 Ute Avenue Suite 9Mailing
P.O. Box 10101Pitkin County, CO, US
Garfield County, CO, US
Eagle County, CO, US