Aspen Journalism is a nonprofit, reader-funded newsroom providing communities in the Roaring Fork watershed and upper Colorado River basin with independent, investigative, data-driven reporting on complex issues of water, environment, social justice and history — coverage that is unique in our local media landscape. Our coverage area includes Aspen, Pitkin County, the Roaring Fork River watershed, the Western Slope, the state of Colorado, the Colorado River basin, and the West.
We believe well-informed citizens make better decisions; good journalism sustains both community and democracy; investigative reporting spurs needed reform, and well-written stories are an efficient and effective way to reach engaged citizens.
Our model as a nonprofit, reader-supported local newsroom was pioneered in 2011 by Aspen Journalism’s founder, Brent Gardner-Smith, directly inspired by his work with ProPublica. Implemented to ensure local communities have dedicated journalists with editorial independence, this civic benefit is funded by philanthropic, community, and public funds, sustaining AJs growing award-winning team of in-house and freelance journalists. We produce journalism that is unique to our local media landscape, with our collaborative model allows us to reach communities through the availability of our work to regional media outlets
Aspen Journalism employs two full-time journalists and an editor and executive director. We also work with freelancers and collaborate with journalists at other news organizations.
"Aspen Journalism represents something this country needs more: quality, independent journalism that builds accountability and enhances communities, while doing so on a smart, sustainable basis." Dick Tofel, president, ProPublica
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
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