40 Years Serving You: Rewind. Play. Fast Forward for Eagle County’s Future
For 40 years, High Five Access Media has been the voice and vision of Eagle County. What began as a humble community TV station has grown into a vital platform where local stories, issues, and voices come to life. We’ve captured town hall meetings, amplified local events, and trained generations of creators—ensuring everyone has access to the tools and knowledge to be heard.
Today, we continue to serve as a media hub for civic engagement and creative expression. From livestreaming local government to mentoring youth in video production, we're empowering our community to stay informed and tell their stories. In a time when trusted, local media is more important than ever, High Five Access Media remains a beacon of transparency, connection, and creativity.
As we look to the future, we envision a more inclusive, digital-forward media space—where emerging technology meets grassroots storytelling, and where every voice in Eagle County can be amplified, no matter their background. With your support, we’ll expand access to training, improve digital infrastructure, and reach even more people with the power of community media.
We continue to face a monumental challenge. High Five relies primarily on Comcast cable subscriber fees from the towns of Vail and Avon. As people “cut the cord” in favor of streaming services, this loss of subscriber fees is devastating for High Five.
Help us fast forward to the next 40 years. Donate today and be part of building a stronger, more connected Eagle County.
About High Five
It is our belief that public access media helps to build an informed and civically engaged community, creating a ripple effect across ages, genders, race, political views, economic status and professions. From students who learn skills that develop into a passion or even a career, to community members who are able to tune into government meetings from the comfort of their home and still be informed of local affairs, the diversity and breadth of our programs allows for High Five Access Media to engage with the entire Vail Valley.
High Five is primarily funded by cable subscriber fees provided to the towns of Vail and Avon from Comcast. As cable subscribers “cut the cord” and unsubscribe to cable television and use streaming services instead, High Five is embarking on a funding challenge and is seeking support from the community to continue its mission by expanding donations, underwriting and grants.
How You Can Support
With Your Help, We Can
“High Five Access Media is a great way to get into the world of video media and journalism. For me I feel so included at High Five wherever they are. The impact that they have on me is great because of how much they care about me in the sense that I'm a human also and not just a volunteer.”
Victor Lopez, Student, Battle Mountain High School
"High Five Media's cameras are invaluable to journalists covering multiple local governments, helping to bolster transparency and accountability among elected officials. Those cameras are equally important to residents participating in local governance. The live videos and recordings provided by High Five support local communities by offering myriad ways to check-in our local governments. "
Jason Blevins, Colorado Sun
Our mission is to empower the local community, through media education and technology, to become civically engaged, express ideas, and advocate for causes.
Vail Valley Community Television began cablecasting on Channel 5 in 1983 from a studio in the old Town of Vail public works shop. With a couple 3/4-inch studio cameras, a field camera and some editing equipment, several residents hopped on board the electronic soapbox and public access television was born in Vail.
The station offered the first opportunity for average citizens to produce their own television programs, while the cable channel ensured they could effectively communicate with the community.
Our first program was News Vail, an hour-long, weekly show that offered insight into issues affecting the valley. The station provided video training for dozens of local residents, who pitched in to produce the program. Many of these community producers went on to careers in media. In 1985, Vail Valley Community Television was incorporated as a nonprofit organization.
Over the years, Channel 5 has offered video production workshops, whose participants, along with staff, went on to create several local-centric programs, including Reading of the Vail Daily with Josh Hall, Altitude Sickness, Mountain Valley Magazine and The Community Project. In the 90's Vail Valley Community Television began its coverage of Vail Town Council meetings, an effort that has grown to include the Town of Avon and several other government entities.
In 2016, we changed our name to High Five Access Media, to more accurately reflect what we do and show the community the opportunities to get involved with access television.
Organization name
High Five Access Media
other names
High Five Access Media, Public Access TV 5, HFAM, Public Access 5
1985
Tax id (EIN)
84-1088782
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities, Education, Community Improvement & Capacity Building, Public & Societal Benefit, Youth Development
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
281 Metcalf Road, Unit 203 PO Box 5600Eagle County, CO, US