Aspen Journalism is a left-of-center nonprofit news outlet that covers the Aspen, Colorado area. The outlet was founded in 2011 and covers a variety of issues in the area with an emphasis on environmental coverage. It operates a “water desk” that covers water-management practices in the region and additionally covers LGBT interests, energy, immigration, and other topics. It is structured as a standalone nonprofit organization and is affiliated with the Institute for Nonprofit News. Funders of the group include the Aspen Business Center Foundation, Rose Community Foundation (Colorado Media Project), and Newsmatch – Fund for Nonprofit News at the Miami Foundation. ^{1 2 3 4}

Background

Aspen Journalism was founded in 2011 by Brent Gardner-Smith. It was founded  to replicate the nonprofit news model, then most notably used by ProPublica, at the local level. Gardner-Smith cited significant funding cuts to the two daily newspapers in the region as the impetus for starting the news outlet and launched Aspen Journalism with a $55,000 grant from the Manaus Fund and was initially the sole employee of the organization. ⁵

Aspen Journalism has maintained a stated focus on investigative reporting. In its first year of operation, it produced investigative stories on a potential dam site and hydropower plant, the 2010 U.S. Census, and the local ski industry. ⁵

The news outlet’s area of coverage includes the greater Aspen area including Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield counties, the Roaring Fork Valley, the Roaring Fork River watershed, the Western Slope, and the upper Colorado River basin in addition to statewide reporting in Colorado. Aspen Journalism is a member of the Colorado Press Association, the Institute for Nonprofit News, and the News Revenue Hub. ⁴

Activities

Aspen Journalism’s reporting work is centered around providing local news coverage with an emphasis on environmentalism, social justice, and water management policy. While ostensibly a nonpolitical and nonpartisan news source, the group’s reporting often paints left-of-center stances and topics on social and environmental issues in a positive light. ⁴

In March 2025, the group covered the opening of a “New Queer Resource Space” in Garfield County, reporting that “A new resource center for LGBTQ+ residents opening in New Castle on Saturday aims to bring more inclusivity and acceptance to western Garfield County amid a rise in legislation targeting transgender and nonbinary people across the country and instances of local discrimination.” ⁶

The group also reported that President Donald Trump’s 2025 federal funding freeze included 17 water projects totaling $151 million in funding aimed at “conservation and drought resilience.” ⁷

The group also covered anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests called “Un Día Sin Inmigrantes,” or “A Day Without Immigrants” in a piece titled “Locals join nationwide protest against immigration crackdowns.” ⁸

Funding

Donors and funders of Aspen Journalism include Aspen Business Center Foundation, Brett Family Foundation, Catena Foundation, Maki Foundation, Martens Foundation, Newsmatch – Fund for Nonprofit News at the Miami Foundation, Pitkin County, the Ridgeway Holmstrom Family Fund, Rose Community Foundation (Colorado Media Project), Lynda and Stewart Resnick Foundation, Felicity Huffman, and Aspen Public Radio. ¹

1. “Aspen Journalism Donors and Funders.” Aspen Journalism. Accessed March 17, 2025. https://aspenjournalism.org/aspen-journalism-donors-and-funders/
2.  “2023 Aspen Journalism Annual Report.” Aspen Journalism. Accessed March 17, 2025. https://aspenjournalism.org/2023-aspen-journalism-annual-report/
3. “Home.” Aspen Journalism. Accessed March 17, 2025. https://aspenjournalism.org/
4. “About.” Aspen Journalism. Accessed March 17, 2025. https://aspenjournalism.org/about/
5. “Aspen Journalism: Collaborative investigations for a Colorado ski town.” Columbia Journalism Review. August 12, 2011. Accessed March 17, 2025. https://www.cjr.org/news_startups_guide/2011/08/aspen-journalism.php
6. Bennett, Eleanor. “New Queer Resource Space aims to serve rural community in Garfield County despite worries of backlash.” Aspen Journalism. March 7, 2025. Accessed March 17, 2025. https://aspenjournalism.org/new-queer-resource-space-aims-to-serve-rural-community-in-garfield-county-despite-worries-of-backlash/
7. Sackett, Heather. “Federal funding pause includes 17 water projects on Western Slope.” Aspen Journalism. March 2, 2025. Accessed March 17, 2025.  https://aspenjournalism.org/federal-funding-pause-includes-17-water-projects-on-western-slope/
8. Bennett, Eleanor. “Locals join nationwide protest against immigration crackdowns.” Aspen Journalism. February  7, 2025. Accessed March 17, 2025. https://aspenjournalism.org/local-businesses-students-join-day-without-immigrants-protest/