Dear readers, 

You probably know that newspapers throughout Colorado are struggling to stay afloat during this COVID crisis, laying off and furloughing reporters just when we need public-interest journalism more than ever. 

You likely didn’t know (because we just found out yesterday… phew!) that just in time for #GivingTuesdayNow, a generous donor is challenging fellow Indy readers to collectively give $10,000, which she will match dollar for dollar through Thursday.

That $20,000 would go an especially long way for our nonprofit newsroom right now because, starting later this month, we’ll be offering everything we write for free to all news outlets statewide. My colleague Tina Griego and I will be spending the spring and summer taking The Indy’s power to the next level by expanding our own reporting and developing in-depth collaborative projects with other newsrooms, offering their reporters hands-on training in the process. 

That means your donation to The Indy and COLab, our new alliance with the Colorado Press Association and Colorado Media Project, is also an investment in news outlets statewide and in our work helping their reporters produce news that delivers facts instead of fear and journalism that speaks truth to power.

We understand that times are tough and money tight, and that some of you may not be able to donate. But if you can, please give now to make sure your contribution will be doubled.