Gates Family Foundation, Rose Community Foundation, and Philanthropy Colorado invite you to join us as we welcome Democracy Fund for a frank discussion on the future of local journalism and civic information in our state.

As millions of Coloradans turn to local media for daily updates on the COVID-19 public health and economic crises, racial justice protests and the 2020 election, local newsrooms have never been busier – or more under resourced. With ad revenue dollars in free-fall, newsroom layoffs, furloughs, and salary reductions have been sweeping the nation, and Colorado has not been spared.

Yet in the face of this adversity, each day Colorado journalists continue to produce original, independent, trustworthy local news that informs and engages residents in all corners of the state. They are also coming together in unprecedented ways -- for a sweeping, statewide project that put a human face on the COVID crisis, ensuring Colorado’s diverse racial/ethnic communities and non-English-speaking residents receive accurate and timely COVID updates, combatting online misinformation, and helping underresourced newsrooms tell stories from Colorado's news deserts.

Teresa Gorman and Christine Schmidt from Democracy Fund will join us as featured speakers -- and you'll learn about a number of ongoing and upcoming initiatives from the Colorado Media Project and other local funders who are helping to foster informed and engaged communities across our state.

Local News in the Time of COVID, Racial Protests, and Misinformation