Sunshine Week: Fund a Reporter

Shining a Light on Decisions That Shape the West

Each spring during Sunshine Week, we’re reminded of a simple truth: when government operates in the open, communities are stronger.

When decisions about land, water, energy and development are made transparently, people can participate, ask questions and hold leaders accountable. When they’re not, it becomes much harder to understand who benefits — and who gets left behind.

That’s why local journalism matters.

Today, Aspen Daily News asking for your help to bring deeper reporting to the Roaring Fork Valley and Garfield County.

A New, dedicated beat reporter 

With support from Report for America, Aspen Daily News is launching a new reporting position dedicated to covering:

• Public lands

• The environment

• Energy and natural resources

• Policy decisions impacting communities across Garfield County

This region sits at the intersection of some of the most important questions facing the American West. From water and wildlife to recreation, development and energy policy, the choices made today will shape the future of our communities.

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, Sunshine Week is about protecting the public’s right to know.

With your help, that principle won’t just be an idea — it will be a daily practice in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Make a gift today to support strong local journalism. Sunshine Week comes once a year, but the reporting it supports lasts all year.