ADN + RFA: Fund a Public Lands Reporter
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Tiny News CollectiveGarfield County is 62% public land. Help Aspen Daily News fund reporting readers told us we need.
$13,345
raised by 60 people
New update
Update: You brought the sunshine; now let’s turn up the heat
In less than 48 hours, you helped us unlock our full $1,500 match from Aloha Mountain Cyclery.
Your generosity has built real momentum this Sunshine Week.
Huge thanks to Aloha for stepping up in support of public lands reporting, and to everyone who jumped in early to make it happen. You didn’t just meet the moment — you moved it.
And now… we’ve got another one.
An anonymous donor has put forward a new $5,000 Sunshine Week match to keep this going.
So if you’ve been waiting for the right moment — this is it.
You give → it doubles → more reporting happens.
And not just any reporting... the kind that tracks decisions about public lands, water and energy before they shape life across the valley.
Let’s keep it going. THANK YOU!
Shining a Light on Decisions That Shape the West
Sixty-two percent of Garfield County is federally managed land. The decisions made about it — who has access, who benefits, what gets sold, what gets protected — shape the economy, identity, and water supply of every community in this valley.
And until now, those decisions have gone largely uncovered.
That's the gap the Aspen Daily News is closing.
With support from Report for America, we have hired a dedicated beat reporter to cover public lands, the environment, energy, natural resources, and the policy decisions that affect communities across Garfield County and the Roaring Fork Valley.
Our reporter will follow these stories wherever they lead — from riverbanks and grazing pastures to county commission meetings and state policy debates.
They will:
Ask difficult questions when necessary
Translate complex policy into clear, usable information
Center the voices of the people most affected by these decisions
Help Close the Gap
Report for America is already investing in this reporting position: $27,500 in Year 1 alone, with a total three-year commitment.
Your support will help close the remaining funding gap and ensure Garfield County has a dedicated journalist covering the environmental issues shaping its future.
At its heart, this is about connection. For so many Aspenites, downvalley feels pretty alien. For downvalley residents, Aspen feels more distant every day. A dedicated public lands reporter is how we close that gap — not just with one-off stories, but with sustained, reliable, community-rooted journalism that holds institutions accountable and makes sure everyone in this valley has a seat at the table.
Our reporter is already on his way, with a July 13 start date. Your gift makes sure he stays.
Make a gift today to support strong local journalism — and the valley we all share.