Friends of INDenverTimes,
Nearly seven months ago, INDenverTimes.com went online to uphold the legacy of the Rocky Mountain News. With this progress report, we’d like to share some of our accomplishments, as well as the lessons we’ve learned.
Our own campaign and others’ attempts proved to us that subscriptions won’t sustain online news. Even though loud voices in the media adamantly declare the fallacy of free content, it’s Internet users, not the media, who will decide the future of the Internet.
For now, readers have definitively told us that subscriptions won’t work.
Readers invest time at INDT because they expect value in the form of meaningful and interesting stories. When they find a balanced presentation of reporting, analysis and commentary, they read us again. When we fall short, they go elsewhere.
INDT will persevere and build its brand on high standards and expectations, and the courage to take chances. We’re proud of our accomplishments, but just as the character of the Rocky developed over 150 years, we know that reaching our goals will take time.
In keeping with that spirit, at INDT you’ll find:
- Former Rocky cartoonists Drew Litton and Ed Stein.
- Former Rocky movie critic Bob Denerstein.
- Writers with decades of experience covering national and international events.
- Reporters covering the Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets and Avs, plus CU and CSU.
- Special reports on diverse topics such as student loan debt, questionable lifeguard procedures and the troubles at halfway houses.
- Reputable news partner sites under one umbrella, including EdNewsColorado, InsideRealEstateNews, BestColoradoDeals, dscriber.com, OpusColorado and StateBillColorado, with more on the way.
- Our INColorado network, which expands coverage of the state through agreements with several weekly papers.
- Abundant and insightful lifestyle commentary.
- Book reviews from four different writers.
- A balanced set of editorial columnists, who regularly inspire spirited debate among our readers.
INDT is moving forward with advertising, partnerships and other revenue sources, and we’re starting to see progress, but it’s not breaking news that economic times are tough.
We’re building a corps of contributors and expanding our ability to cover more of Denver and Colorado, but producing relevant content and maintaining a high-quality Web site cost money. As advertising rebounds with the local economy, we’ll certainly scrape and claw for our share in an effort to reach a balanced and sustainable model.
In the meantime, back when we launched INDT, many of you indicated willingness to support us financially even though we did not reach our subscriber goal in April. We didn’t quit then because we carry the legacy of the Rocky and we’re intent on making a significant contribution to journalism.
If you believe we have the potential to make a difference among media outlets in Denver and Colorado, we respectfully request your help to reach that goal.
Please help us support our journalists and consider making a non-tax-deductible gift.
Additionally, should you wish to be contacted about sponsoring our site or our daily newsletter, please send us an email.
Sincerely,
The founders, editors and writers at INDenverTimes.com
