History of the Left Hand Valley Courier

How did the Left Hand Valley Courier get here?

The Left Hand Valley Courier was founded in November 1996, by seven residents of Niwot and Gunbarrel, who each contributed $50 toward start-up costs. With little journalism experience, the founders sought to fill a growing lack of coverage of happenings in Niwot and Gunbarrel by the daily newspapers in Boulder and Longmont.

It took four months to create the first Courier issue, which was published on April 1, 1997, by Karen Copperberg, Ron Goodman, Selene (Hall) Luna, Lori Lindemann, Mary Wolbach Lopert, Vicki Maurer, and Bruce Warren.

A growing staff of writers, editors, advertising representatives and graphic designers published a monthly newspaper, delivering over 10,000 copies to homes and businesses in Niwot, Gunbarrel, and South Longmont.

In 2014, with help from a Kansas newspaper, the Courier began publishing weekly, with continued free delivery of 6,000 copies. In 2016, just as the Kansas newspaper owner was scheduled to take over full operation of the Courier, he backed out. By that time, two of the original owners were no longer with the paper. The remaining owners recruited the Kansas editor and advertising director, and continued publishing and delivering a free weekly newspaper, but costs continued to rise, and advertising revenue began to decline.

The pandemic of 2020 threw an unexpected wrench into the traditional newspaper industry, which was already in decline. Some local businesses shut down and those remaining cut back on advertising, which had been the sole source of revenue for the Courier.

To survive, the Courier became an online-only publication for several months, eventually going to an online subscription model. When the effects of the pandemic began to lessen, the Courier went back to delivering a print edition of 6,000 copies once a month, free to homes and businesses in Niwot and Gunbarrel, and continued publishing the online edition every week. Prairie Mountain Media printed the Courier from its Berthoud plant.

On April 1, 2022, the Courier celebrated its 25th anniversary, but within a two-week period, two of the remaining four founders retired, the editor left for a full-time position, and the advertising director died suddenly. Other community members quickly stepped up to fill the gaps, and the Courier continued publishing a weekly newspaper.

But traditional newspapers continued to suffer setbacks, with local daily papers cutting back on coverage as they continued to lose advertising revenue. Around the country, so-called "news deserts" became more common, with longtime newspapers closing.

Given these circumstances, the Courier owners made the decision in December 2023 to create a non-profit corporation, and donate the newspaper to the new organization. Beginning January 1, 2024, the Courier began operating as a non-profit educational organization. Additional staff members were added, many of them students, and new features were added. An application for approval by the IRS as a charitable non-profit was filed in January, but the review process took over nine months. In the meantime, the Courier continued to operate at a loss, with key staff members deferring compensation to keep the Courier alive.

Then Prairie Mountain Media, which owns newspapers in Denver, Boulder, Broomfield, Estes Park, Longmont, Loveland, and Greeley, announced that it was closing its Berthoud printing plant. All Prairie Mountain Media printing was moved to the Denver Post, but the Courier was forced to switch to a small printer in Gypsum, Colorado, increasing printing costs by 30%.

Other newspapers around the state announced they were closing. In July, the Brush News-Tribune announced that it would cease publication after 139 years, and at the same time, the Fort Morgan Times announced that it would become a digital news site only, ceasing publication of its daily newspaper. Those digital news sites are now owned by Prairie Mountain Media.

Finally, in late October, the IRS approved the Left Hand Valley Courier as a 501(c)(3) charitable educational organization, making all donations tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Much needed public support has begun to arrive in the form of donations to the Courier, with over $2,100 donated in the first week of the campaign.

The Courier's survival depends on donations from the community. You might think of it as, "Thanks for delivering to my doorstep for the past 27 years."

With additional funds, as well as support from grants and foundations, the Courier can not only survive, but also expand the local news coverage readers have come to depend on.

You can donate through the Colorado Gives campaign, which is now ongoing and culminates on Dec. 10, 2024. You can also donate here or scan the accompanying QR code.

Thank you for your support!