Dear community,

Today is a bad news day.

We have enough money in the bank to publish two more editions.

If something doesn’t change, October 26 will be the last print issue of the 138-year-old Herald.

It’s not our community newspaper, it’s your community newspaper, so we feel it’s important to be as honest as possible with you about what happened, what we’re doing about it, and what you can do.

Here’s what happened.

Advertising is the primary income source for newspapers. It’s about 85% of revenue, and it’s been steadily declining for years. Because of this, two community newspapers have closed in the U.S. every week since 2005. Now, we’re in the same situation.

Like most small businesses, we operate on a shoestring. September was the worst month for advertising we have ever had. It was a critical hit. The traditional “advertising model” isn’t working for anyone anymore. We know that, and we have been working hard to diversify, pivot, and “be scrappy.” It is not enough.

Here’s one thing that is enough, though: YOU, the readers. Numbers remain steady, with 615 print subscribers, 300 digital subscribers, and about 300 of you picking up a copy from a local business each week. On top of that, 1,600 of you get our weekly email, 3,000 visit the website each week, and we have excellent social medial engagement.

Those things are amazing, but they don’t keep the presses running.

Here’s what we’re doing about it.

- We will be letting our only full-time reporter go.

- We are cutting numbers for single-copy in-store/newsstand sales and free papers.

- We are cutting every other extraneous expense we can think of.

- As a last resort, we’ll try cutting the print edition and going digital only.

Finally, we are asking for your help to save your community newspaper.

Here’s what you can do.

1. Become a Community Supporter.

Right now, we’re in crisis mode, but our long-term plan has always been to convert from the traditional advertising model to memberships/community ownership, or a blend of the two. We may also seek nonprofit status.

Anyone who donates any amount in the next two weeks will become an honorary member of this future membership model. We don’t have all the details yet, but different levels of support will get you certain benefits and perks. We will be hammering that information out and getting it to you ASAP.

The cost of one copy between print, postage, and people is $5.55 per week, so we structured our donations around that number, but any amount is helpful.

Make a one-time or recurring donation here.

2. If you have a business: advertise.

Advertising is still our primary revenue source, especially as we try to close this gap.

Despite what the digital billionaires tell you, print is still an excellent way to deliver your message. Give us a chance to prove this to you.

Our next special, assuming we make it through this, will be Shop@Home. For details, email me (caitlin@ht1885.com) or call 970.878.4017.

All that said, we know it’s tough out there right now. If none of these things are possible, prayers, good intentions, jumbo-size boxes of Kleenex, and magical beans are all appreciated.

We know there are some people who would love for us to go silent, but we believe with our whole hearts there are a lot more who love this little 138-year-old community paper.

We’ll do everything in our power to keep your community news going. We hope you’ll join us.

With gratitude,

Caitlin & Niki

Rio Blanco Herald Times

The only independent community news source in Rio Blanco County

The Lyttle Project

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