About a decade ago, the Pikes Peak Bulletin went through a perilous time, no different from what had been happening to community newspapers throughout America.
This weekly publication, carrying on a proud tradition that dated to the late 1800s, reached an alarming point of shrinking revenues and an uncertain future. The owners were not sure which way to turn, and Manitou Springs readers were smart enough to notice the deterioration.
The situation called for some sort of miracle, and that’s exactly what unfolded. John Weiss, owner and publisher of the successful Colorado Springs Independent alternative newsweekly, also happened to be a Manitou resident. He understood the value of a hyperlocal newspaper to any small town, and he couldn’t bear the thought of watching the Bulletin slowly wither away.
Weiss had created a remarkable, sustained success story since the 1990s with the Independent, then made another bold move in 2012 by purchasing the Colorado Springs Business Journal. Nearly two years later, he pounced on the idea of acquiring the Bulletin, with me as partner. My role was to oversee upgrading content while he worked on the business side.
We took over the Bulletin in April 2014, and the journey since then has turned into quite a rollercoaster ride. This newspaper has flourished once more, and the Manitou Springs audience has embraced and remained loyal to the Bulletin — even though many longtime readers still instinctively call it by its previous, more historic name, the Pikes Peak Journal.
Thanks mainly to current editor Rhonda Van Pelt, who has done such a superlative job for the past seven years, the Bulletin has continued to cover City Council, School District 14, local businesses and the arts/entertainment scene.
The other main writers, including Jeanne Davant, the late Jack Elder, Larry Ferguson (also a former editor), Daniel Mohrmann and Bridgett Harris, have done their part.
We also must recognize the huge contributions from Don Bouchard, who stepped away from most of his Bulletin duties last fall. He has served more than 19 years in various essential roles.
Alas, nothing in life is guaranteed. What readers never realized along the way was how Weiss, his other company resources and his unfailing generosity kept the Bulletin (and the Independent/Business Journal) alive through the COVID-related downturn and sliding revenues.
In recent months, though, Weiss has decided the time has come to look for other challenges. He’s ready to find a graceful exit from newspapers, though he’s not abruptly ending his financial commitment. He is continuing to provide funding as the parent company takes bold steps toward becoming a nonprofit with several other exciting changes coming in 2023.
That brings us to the Bulletin. With a new printing contract that takes effect in October, the costs for producing this weekly paper have escalated to the point where we simply can’t continue as we have since 2014. Something has to change, and soon.
We appear to have three possible outcomes. One of them, shutting down the Bulletin, is not palatable. If that happened, Manitou would join thousands of American cities and towns that are now “news deserts” with no coverage of local government, lower voter turnout and eroded public awareness.
Another option might mean a much-reduced print product, possibly with more content online. Perhaps the Bulletin wouldn’t be a stand-alone paper anymore, but it still could provide Manitou news, cultural and sports coverage.
Then there is the best-case possibility, which is the underlying reason for this column. Weiss has floated the idea of offering the Bulletin to the people of Manitou Springs as a gift, if enough residents would come forward to support it as a new nonprofit.
That would require a committed group of community members willing to serve actively on the nonprofit’s board. It also would need a local-minded individual or team to take charge in a publisher/sales manager/community connector role.
Perhaps a 2022 version of a community-minded owner/entrepreneur is out there — someone who cares about Manitou Springs, wants to save its newspaper and has the wherewithal to make a solid, lasting investment. If that’s you, this is your chance.
With enough community support from advertisers, donors and potential board members, the Bulletin could have a new life. Also, the Independent still is willing to partner with the right individual or team.
If you can commit to be involved in a meaningful way (not just moral support), please email me at ralphrouton@msn.com. But it has to be soon, or readers can expect major changes in the weeks ahead.
On the bright side, here’s a related development. I have gone through the Secretary of State’s Office to acquire the rights to the dormant name of Pikes Peak Journal, thinking the next chapter of Manitou Springs’ newspaper might benefit from a “back to the future” theme.
Time is short. Discussions are ongoing, and decisions are imminent. But the door is still open, and nobody wants to close it.
If you might be the next hero, the moment is now.