2019 Annual Report
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Front Cover: Reporter Nathaniel Minor, Denverite reporter Donna Bryson and classical host Ray White // photos by Hart Van Denburg. Back Cover: Denverite reporter Esteban Hernandez // photo by Kevin Beaty. Indie 102.3 host Bruce Trujillo and classical host David Ginder // photos by Hart Van Denburg. A2019 NANNUALE REPORTW CHAPTER Bridges Broadcast Center 7409 South Alton Court Centennial, CO 80112 (303) 871-9191 cpr.org ©Colorado Public Radio 2019 All Rights Reserved. A new chapter in Colorado Public Radio history begins As my first year at Colorado Public Radio comes to and inspire Coloradans - from Fort Collins to the a close, I’m more honored than ever to be leading Four Corners. CPR – an organization that plays a critical role in the lives of Coloradans all across the state. This has been a year of growth and opportunity for Our Vision Colorado Public Radio, and we have YOU to thank. This year we’ve built on our commitment to Your belief and support allows CPR not just to To inform, entertain, and deliver essential news and music, knowing that survive, but thrive and become an even more vital inspire all Coloradans. communities need impartial news they can trust, resource for our state. Thank you for your and music that both excites and soothes the soul. continued support. You make what we do possible. From expanding our newsroom and broadening Thank you, our news programming to live broadcasts, local performances and partnerships - we’ve made Stewart Vanderwilt investments in our services to further inform President & CEO A Letter from Virginia Berkeley, Board of Directors Fiscal Year 2019 Chair of the Board of Directors Virginia Berkeley, Chair in Philip E. Johnson, Vice Chair Ann E. Hinkins, Treasurer Dear friends, W. Dean Salter, Secretary Dr. Robert Contiguglia Looking back on CPR’s 2019 fiscal year, there’s a lot to be Michael P. Dowling Jack Finlaw celebrated. It’s been a year of new beginnings, changes and Bradley Greenwald growth, and a time of re-doubled focus on our primary goal: to be Diane F. Reeder an essential news source and public service to the communities Mary Ricketson Joanna Rosenblum in Colorado who make public radio part of their daily lives. Karen Secor Bob Steele This report captures just a slice of all that has been made possible Stewart Vanderwilt, Ex Officio this year by those who believe in the value of public radio. I hope Our Mission Fiscal Year 2020 dep you take pride in counting yourself among them; I know I do. Philip E. Johnson, Chair Joanna Rosenblum, Vice Chair To deliver meaningful I look forward to our future knowing that CPR is backed by an Diane F. Reeder, Treasurer Bob Steele, Secretary news, music and cultural expert team of journalists, staff and supporters committed to Rachel Romer Carlson experiences to everyone advancing our shared mission to create a more informed and Dr. Robert Continguglia in Colorado using the enriched public. But first, I’m pleased to share a look back at the Jack Finlaw Bradley Greenwald last year and all that we accomplished together. power of the human voice Ned Harding in all its forms. Balan Nair Best Regards, Wag Schorr Karen Secor Michelle Sobel Virginia Berkeley W. Dean Salter, Emeritus Board Member Stewart Vanderwilt, Ex Officio th 4 Investing in Colorado News Some of the year’s accomplishments: Your Source For Colorado News Twelve new reporters were welcomed to the CPR CPR acquired Denverite with philanthropic news team, helping Colorado communities stay support from Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, up-to-date and informed. More reporters enabled Colorado Media Project, Ellenoff Family Fund CPR to produce more than 200 election stories, and Gates Family Foundation. As an online news An informed public is essential to any democracy. including a voter’s guide that more than 300,000 source for the city, Denverite provides enhanced users accessed to help inform their decisions. coverage of Metro-Denver’s politics and its vibrant Additionally, CPR was live on the ground tracking arts and culture scene. Trusted news has never been more important given the changes in the media the ‘bomb cyclone’ that hit the state in March and landscape in Colorado and nationally. With unprecedented community support CPR closed much of Denver. The newsroom also Colorado Public Radio received a $500,000 grant rose to the challenge and produced more Colorado-focused news. Together you produced the Since Columbine podcast and from the Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation to special reports, an exploration of the impact of the support the expansion of CPR News. The helped CPR expand the depth and breadth of our newsroom, provide a broader shooting at Columbine High School 20 years later. transformational gift made the Foundation a lead range of stories across the state and bring Colorado more frequent news updates investor in CPR’s mission to become the home throughout the day. Of the 12 new reporters hired, two are regional institution for Colorado news. reporters, Stina Sieg and Dan Boyce, who report from the Western Slope and southern Colorado. CPR News announced a 70 person 9,000 square- The newsroom also welcomed its first foot news headquarters near the Colorado state Washington, DC-based reporter, Caitlyn Kim, who Capitol. Establishing CPR News in close proximity Among the stories CPR has covered this year: Ranchers and trade, teacher strike, marijuana cultivation and vintage baseball. Also, here’s CPR reporter Grace Hood expands CPR’s political coverage and provides a to the Capitol and Denver’s newsmakers supports in the field. // photos by Hart Van Denburg. Reporter Donna Bryson and Habitat For Humanity // photo by Kevin Beaty. much-needed resource for Colorado news more timely production and delivery of meaningful originating from the nation’s capital. Kim is currently news throughout the day. the only Colorado reporter based in Washington, DC for a Colorado news organization. In April, CPR received a one million dollar pledge for Audio Innovations from the Ned and In January, CPR added 17 national programs to its Nathalie Fund. schedule, including 1A, The Daily, Marketplace and Latino USA. As a result, listeners can hear the most CPR expanded on-demand audio production with important news while being exposed to a diversity two new podcasts - Purplish and On Something. of new voices and innovative storytelling. Purplish explores Colorado’s unique approach to democracy, while On Something discusses the With a $300,000 family foundation gift, the CPR impacts of marijuana legalization five years after newsroom launched its first investigative team, recreational marijuana was legalized in Colorado. led by the new investigative editor, Chuck Murphy. When fully staffed, this team will produce Colorado Matters also continued its highly deeply researched, data-driven, robust journalism successful live events series, which included that provides critical resources for the Colorado shows at the Newman Center at the University of community. CPR News announced the formation Denver and the Avalon Theater in Grand Junction, of a Climate Solutions reporting team with a with subjects ranging from climate change to a $1.21 million grant from the Jacques M. Littlefield retro holiday show designed to celebrate Foundation. This landmark investment is aimed community and the power of music. at increasing CPR’s environmental reporting and creating a hub of information for solutions to climate-related issues. 6 A Good Year to Invest in Colorado Music Music stirs the imagination to match the soul. This year we sought to feed the souls of our communities with music discovery and cultural experiences through live broadcasts, local performances and partnerships with organizations across the state. From the Aspen Music Festival to Red Rocks, we were on site bringing the very best classical and new music to Coloradans, and we have our donors to thank for making it possible. Thank you. CPR Classical performance by Bang On A Can, Underground Music Showcase band Dressy Bessy // photos by Hart Van Denburg. CPR Classical broadcast world renowned cellist from masterworks to contemporary - more Yo-Yo Ma live from Red Rocks Amphitheatre in a accessible for listeners in northern Colorado. This sold-out show. This was the first time CPR Classical marked the first time CPR Classical has been heard broadcast live from Red Rocks, and it kicked off a in Fort Collins since 2008. two-year global tour of Yo-Yo Ma, who played all six solo cello suites by Bach. In the second series of CPR Classical’s The Great Composers podcast, conductor and lecturer CPR Classical expanded to Fort Collins at 88.3 FM, Scott O’Neil explored the life and music of making CPR’s extensive range of classical music - Sergei Rachmaninoff with host Karla Walker. In the summer, CPR’s OpenAir became Indie 102.3, Leading the charge is music industry expert and the organization’s revamped independent music radio veteran Willobee Carlan, Indie 102.3’s discovery station with a more focused library, program director. With nearly four decades of tightened spotlight on local artists and a new experience in programming and operations, schedule of programs. Carlan will continue the station’s growth and focus on building awareness and trial among new music enthusiasts. 7 Partnering With Our Community Throughout the year, CPR News strove to present an in-depth view of issues that are critical to the Colorado community through its partnerships with other organizations, both national and local. Cannabis reporting and photo by Dan Boyce. On Something podcast team at the PRX Catapult Showcase in Boston // photo by Chris McIntosh. Governor Jared Polis’ inauguration // photo by Hart Van Denburg. This included joining American Homefront, a through live broadcasts, local collaboration of public radio stations and NPR performances and instrument drives.