For the past 850 weeks, The Sopris Sun has been a guiding light in our valley — more than just a newspaper, it’s become a reflection of our community’s heartbeat and soul. I’ve witnessed firsthand how our stories inspire pride, foster understanding and unite us with shared purpose.
Each week, we deliver news and information that can make a real difference — help heal wounds, save lives and preserve our treasured forests and rivers. These stories remind us that community deepens when we strive for greater understanding across our diverse and beautiful valley.
This week’s blank cover stands as a reminder that the future of The Sopris Sun, like all local news, is not guaranteed. However, with your help, we may turn that empty space into a canvas for the next 850 papers.
Our commitment to this extraordinary community shines brightest through acts of renewal.
Last year, we recognized that it was not enough to simply print a Spanish-language insert. That approach — while well-intentioned — felt, in many ways, dismissive of more than a third of our neighbors.
Today, we proudly publish and distribute Sol del Valle as a full, freestanding and beautifully designed Spanish-language newspaper throughout the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys. It amplifies the voices of our Latino neighbors and exemplifies the richness of our shared humanity.
This achievement was made possible through generous support from the City of Aspen, Rose Community Foundation, Press Forward, The Miami Foundation, Rocky Mountain Health Foundation, Brett Family Foundation, Colby Fund at Western Colorado Community Foundation, and our incredible media partners in the CoWest Noticias Collaborative.
This renewal reflects the core principle that guides us: honoring and elevating diverse voices in our community.
This work matters — and it needs you. Every week, I see its spirit grow. When your stories are reflected in our pages, when you discover a new local business, attend a community gathering or read about the tireless work of another local nonprofit — it sparks hope.
When our student journalists craft honest, meaningful stories, or neighbors attend local government meetings motivated by what they’ve read, it affirms that journalism is more than just reporting — it’s an act of connection, compassion and possibility.
And yet, we face a pivotal moment.
Today it costs us approximately $3.25 to print a single copy of each newspaper — or $14 per paper per month. Decreasing ad and sponsorship revenue covers less than 50% of this cost.
Recent economic shifts and changes in national funding priorities have strained both advertisers and foundations. Small, rural community-owned newsrooms like ours are at risk of being left behind. To continue this vital work, we must raise $300,000 over the next 18 months.
Historically, less than 10% of Sopris Sun readers contribute financially, and that support has helped us bridge a $100,000 annual gap in recent years. If more of our readers act together, reaching our $300,000 goal is well within our grasp.
Together, we can keep The Sun shining. Supporting The Sopris Sun is about more than sustaining two local newspapers. It’s about guarding the voice of the Valley, preserving the connections that bind us and amplifying the causes you care most about — stories that enlighten, inspire and bring us closer as one community. While journalism may not be your top charity, our work amplifies all the causes you cherish most, ensuring they are seen, celebrated and never fade into silence.
Our stories breathe life into local businesses, inspire visitors and build a regional economy rooted in empathy and shared purpose. We are the spark that ignites growth, resilience and unity.
With your support, we’ll continue to weave the fabric of our valley’s story — nurturing hope across our differences.
Your donation supports a legacy — a living act of love that keeps our shared spirit alive.
How you can help:
- Become a 2025 SUNguardian
Offer a challenge match to inspire others to give and strengthen our collective future. - Become a SUNscriber
Join our monthly supporters who sustain our mission. Already a SUNscriber? Consider increasing your gift. - Make a one-time gift
Every contribution, big or small, makes a meaningful impact. - Create a SUNlegacy
Add The Sopris Sun to your will or estate plan and leave a lasting gift of community storytelling. - Become a SUNbassador
Volunteer and help share this message with friends, family and neighbors.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing a survey to learn what you’d like to see in the next 850 issues. We truly appreciate your time and feedback.
Thank you for being a part of The Sopris Sun and Sol del Valle journey! To donate, visit www.soprissun.com/donate