Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting Network, Inc. 2014 Community Report DEAR COMMUNITY, On behalf of the entire organization, I’d like to Rocky Mountain PBS network or the economy that sincerely thank Jamie Torres and Juanita Vela for started to recover first, but I am so happy to say their service as board members. We are grateful both appear to be thriving! for their time and expertise. During that time, we’ve undergone a complete At a time when most media outlets are contracting, reshaping of the organization from a linear Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting Network manufacturing company to a nimble and adept is expanding services and partnerships with technology company with a focus on our digital colleges, universities and other nonprofits. All of future. The media world has changed to be sure, this is made possible by the generous financial and Rocky Mountain PBS is taking advantage of all Jim Foster, Board Chair, support of Colorado individuals, foundations and that technology has to offer, all while ensuring our Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting Network, Inc. the businesses that underwrite programming, core values remain strong. Enlightening, informing and entertaining Coloradans accounting for about 90 percent of our funding. reached a new level of achievement at Rocky Thank you! We know that you value education, arts, culture, Mountain Public Broadcasting Network in the heritage, public-service journalism, smart 2013-2014 fiscal year with the convergence of our programming, entertaining content and dedicated digital resources in television, radio, print and the community service, and we are committed to providing each of these to you every day. Internet. With increases in membership as well as Chairman of the Board leadership, legacy and underwriting contributions, James H. Foster management led by CEO Doug Price reached or In 2015 and beyond, Rocky Mountain PBS will exceeded most of its goals; so there is much to continue to focus on what matters to you. Our feel good about as we continue our embrace of the news team is dedicated to delving deeply into opportunities driven by emerging technologies. stories that make a difference in your life. Our Emmy-award winning producers are focused The talented journalists of our I-News staff on providing rich early childhood education and developed in-depth stories impacting the entire STEAM content to our youngest audience, as well state. Their work is carried in newspapers and as diving deep to explore the richness of Colorado’s over the air not only across Colorado but also stories for our entire audience. And, of course, on NPR, the PBS network and even, on occasion, Colorado knows what the world is discovering: page one of USA Today. Rocky Mountain PBS KUVO is the best jazz station on the planet. increased its local program production and was Doug Price, CEO, Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting Network, Inc. nominated for 16 Emmys® by the Heartland Thank you for your generous support and for continuing Chapter of the National Academy of Television As Jim said, we do have so much to celebrate to be a critical part of Rocky Mountain PBS. We look Arts and Sciences. and that’s a wonderful reminder of how far we’ve forward to what we’ll accomplish next – together. come in a few short years. When I first joined KUVO radio received acclaim from Britain’s The Rocky Mountain PBS, the “great recession” was in Telegraph, which rated the station one of the top full swing, the station was in dire financial straits three jazz online stations in the world. Downbeat and we had to make hard decisions that pain Chief Executive Officer magazine also recognized KUVO as one of the best. me to this day. I don’t know whether it was our Douglas M. Price 2 LEADERSHIP Board OF DirectorS MANAGEMENT TEAM Chairman Of The Board CEO, Rocky Mountain Broadcasting Network James Foster Douglas M. Price MISSION To enrich the lives of Chief Executive Officer Chief Operating Officer, RMPBN and Coloradans through Douglas M. Price (ex-officio) President and General Manager, KRMA engaging and essential Vice Chairmen Harris Ravine Chad Hollingsworth Chief Financial Officer, RMPBN programs, services and George Sissel Natae Swanson community partnerships Secretary Executive Vice President and that inform, enlighten Hubert A. Farbes, Jr. Chief Marketing Officer, RMPBN and entertain. Treasurer Amanda Mountain Susan Greenberg Chief Technology Officer, RMPBN VISION Directors Tom Craig Rocky Mountain PBS Jim Chavez Ron Levine President and General Manager, News will be the premier Kwési T. Coleman Nancy Lewis Laura Frank public media resource Dr. Ramon Del Castillo Pat Loewi President and General Manager, KUVO for all Coloradans. Lesley Di Mare (ex-officio) Terry Lopez Carlos Lando On-air, online and in Tim Foster (ex-officio) Terry Minger person, we will serve our Itha Gabriel Patricia Pacey Chief Revenue Officer, KUVO Louis Garofano Scott Reiman Tina Cartagena diverse communities as Richard Gonzales Jeannie Ritter a convener of people, Richard Hiller Allen Sparkman ideas and perspectives. Alegra ‘Happy’ Haynes John Temple Andrew Hudson Brian M. Turner Thomas H. Kenning Niki Frangos Tuttle David Leonard Steve Watson 3 News that makes a difference I-News at Rocky Mountain PBS produces the kinds of articles and packages that are becoming increasingly, and “I would just turn to tragically, rare in the cash– and them and say, I want a time–strapped mainstream media: report about what we’re doing in-depth, investigative about fatalities in the workforce and stories that are thorough and I want to know if there’s anyway we can do it better. And I think because well-researched, dealing with of this interview, I will probably be important public service doing that at our next meeting.” and public affairs issues of the day. – North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple, promising to investigate the issue after Inside Energy Reporter Emily Guerin revealed the results from the Dark Side of the Boom 4 YOU’VE TOLD US YOU VALUE… LOCAL CONTENT PUBLIC-SERVICE JOURNALISM We have a Colorado State of Mind Ethics and Excellence Like you, we are Colorado Proud and the shared Rocky Mountain PBS I-News is a newsroom unlike Rocky Mountain PBS became the first public love for our state is reflected in everything we any other in the Rocky Mountain region. We cover television network in the nation to lead a Local do. Our partnerships, our programs and our important stories that other newsrooms can’t Journalism Collaborative when we received a values reflect our traditions, high standards and because they lack the staff, time or tools, and then significant grant to launch a reporting team called independent spirit. we share those multimedia stories with more than Inside Energy. 100 news organizations across the region. That’s why we value our partnership with you. Inside Energy reports break new ground in analysis This year, we’ve strengthened our relationships, Our experienced team of investigative reporters and contribute critical information to community discovered new and better ways to work together and data journalists are skilled in turning complex debates about energy development. Here are a few and explored ways to evolve from a static to topics into compelling multimedia journalism. But examples of the impact: dynamic media hub. In this era of fast-moving we are most proud of the impact our journalism media, we know that you’re counting on us to focus has had. We have seen time after time that these • Dark Side of the Boom – We examined on local content and significantly expand our reach. important stories inspired changes in state laws, workplace fatalities in the oil and gas industry regulation, policy and behavior. Here are just a few and investigated various strategies to make Where once we might have shyly dipped our toe examples: the industry safer. Our data analysis of state in the technology pond, we are now enthusiastic fatality rates had never been done before. consumers ourselves, using technology in myriad • Within weeks of our report showing there • Saltwater Spills – While state regulators insist ways to reach a hugely expanded audience. It was an epidemic of hit-and-run accidents in that the rate of spills of salt-laden produced cannot be overstated how these small steps, Colorado, state lawmakers passed the Medina water has been in line with the increase in the coupled with new partnerships and the embrace Alert law (similar to an Amber Alert for missing number of wells, Inside Energy revealed that of technology, ultimately serve to connect us and children) so the public could more easily help the spill rate has doubled in the past six years. galvanize us all. solve cases. • Public Health Impacts – Inside Energy • In response to our seminal Losing Ground explained what research is really saying about special report on growing racial and ethnic public health impacts of the oil and gas boom. disparity in health, poverty and education, Turns out, the biggest health concern for community groups statewide have organized to people who live near oil and gas development seek solutions to growing disparities. is not groundwater contamination, but possible • Our documentary called Losing Ground: The toxic air emissions. Cliff Effect was shown on-air, online and at community gatherings across the state and Not only have our reports helped Colorado and inspired the passage of a pilot program meant regional media tell important stories to the public, to help families escape poverty. but national news organizations have requested them as well. This year, our reports have been featured nationally on NPR, PBS, American Public Media, Here and Now and on the front page of USA Today. 5 YOU’VE TOLD US YOU VALUE… EDUCATION ARTS, CULTURE and HERITAGE Opportunity and Growth Exploration and Entertainment on Multiple Platforms It’s no secret that Colorado families trust Rocky On television, online and on the radio, over one As we share staffing and resources, content and Mountain PBS to educate and entertain their million Colorado viewers turn to us every week newsgathering capabilities, the result has been children in a safe and reliable environment.