For the public
Building Colorado’s home institution for news and so much more
CPR's solutions for a Colorado at risk
Stewart Vanderwilt, President & CEO, CPR
The decline of our democracy is a real possibility.
Year after year, research shows that local news is the most trusted by all Americans. However, mainstream local news sources are disappearing at an alarming rate.
As local news declines, the quality of democratic decisions decline, destabilizing society at all levels — education, art, science, health, equity, access and inclusion. This is happening nationwide and here in Colorado, leading to devastating effects for all of us.
The Colorado Media Project’s research confirms that in
Colorado’s fractured media landscape, “Coloradans — particularly younger audiences and the large influx of new residents to our state — lack access to high-quality, reliable Colorado news and are struggling to participate in important community conversations.” Coloradans lack a credible and compelling “home institution” for trustworthy news and information. But such a home institution is what we are building, right now, at CPR! While older generations remember news institutions that were once seen as unbiased, trusted and inclusive, those institutions, or at least their status as such, are all gone. CPR is a vital, engaging, relevant and sustainable source of news, music and cultural experiences for all Coloradans. We provide accessible,high-quality, reliable news and foster participation in important community conversations. By strengthening democracy and the social fabric that supports it, we are fulfilling our mission. We invite you to join us.
The power of local news
As the Knight Foundation’s Eric Newton noted, local news gives people the information they “need to run their communities and their lives.” Without that information, residents struggle to solve problems, hold officials accountable, engage civically, and connect with their community. Without access to the information that binds a community, it stops acting like a community.
CPR strengthens Colorado’s civic and cultural health, meeting this challenge to democracy by providing free, unlimited access to information for all. We will achieve this by significantly increasing fact-based, solution-oriented, local news – that is consumed by the majority of Coloradans – and creating experiences that unite people through shared understanding.
The growth of CPR in photos
KCFR was housed in a 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom bungalow on the University of Denver (DU) campus from 1970 to 1983. (hover over image to show slider arrows)
KCFR – the first signal that would become CPR – is established under a license at the University of Denver (KCFR staff circa 1973).
TODAY Our current building is inhibiting our ability to expand and meet the needs of an ever-evolving Colorado. A purpose-built space is necessary to serve the Colorado of today and realize our vision for a more informed, connected, and engaged community.
KCFR was housed in a 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom bungalow on the University of Denver (DU) campus from 1970 to 1983. (hover over image to show slider arrows)
FOSTERING AN INFORMED AND ENGAGED COLORADO
A NEW HOME
A new building will enable us to create collaborative spaces that foster creative thinking, promote dialogue and ensure CPR remains a cultural hub in our community.
EXPAND & GROW
Expand onsite programming to 200 events per year and grow the newsroom to 100 journalists.
INCREASED CONTENT
Produce 3x more content across all platforms
SERVE
Serve approximately 3,000,000 Coloradans, annually
IMPACT
200+
EVENTS A YEAR
100
JOURNALISTS
3X
MORE CONTENT
This is an existential moment.
Colorado needs this.
Denver needs this.
CPR needs this.
Ricardo Baca, CPR Board Member
Why CPR
CPR is the largest Colorado-owned statewide news organization, with major operations in the state capital plus bureaus in Colorado Springs and the Western Slope. It is the only CO news organization with a correspondent in Washington, D.C. serving all Coloradans.
As a nonprofit, we cannot be moved or sold, we are not controlled by out-of-state investors or owners and our revenue is reinvested in public service. Most importantly, this model allows our content to be free and accessible to all — always.
CPR Washington DC reporter Caitlyn Kim was inside the Capitol during the January 6 attack. Her reporting that day was vital to both CPR and other Colorado media outlets.
"Colorado has one media outlet with a DC-based reporter: CPR. CPR covers our entire delegation and reports on everything CO-related, not just stories covered by commercial media. Shame on the GOP for wasting our time by going after a vital source of news for millions of Americans." - Representative Diana Degette
Taking our place among Colorado’s
most important institutions
Lois H | Lakewood
"Denverite is my source for news for the metro-area. The quality of reporting is incredibly good-- well written and well researched. I have great respect for your writers and their committment to excellence."
Shannon B | Castle Rock
"Free press is the cornerstone to a well functioning democracy. Misinformation and politics are chipping away at this foundation. CPR serves as an unboased medium to inform and educate citizens on the most important issue of our day."
Ryan C
“The care and concern shown by CPR's reporting cuts through the noise of high media and points to the groundwork for our common challenge today - that is dialog. Glimpsing a reporter's story for even a moment while riding in the car enhances my sense of humanity and compassion for whatever exchange may come along next.”
Imagine a new home for Colorado Public Radio
Community Engagement
Based on our daily work today, in a purpose-built space, we could produce 200+ onsite experiences a year. The resulting forums, conversations and performances will also create new content for digital and broadcast audiences.
The combination we will achieve with original content, increased community engagement and the creation of destination experiences will differentiate CPR from all other media organizations in Colorado.
Our new home will serve as a vibrant cultural center for our community, providing unique and immersive experiences that foster greater cultural literacy and engagement.
JOIN US IN FOSTERING AN INFORMED AND ENGAGED COLORADO