National Trust for Local News starts printing press operations in Colorado

Brooke Warner has been named executive director of Colorado Community Media.

New leadership at Colorado Community Media

The National Trust also has announced the hiring of veteran news industry innovator Brooke Warner as executive director of Colorado Community Media. Warner comes to CCM with extensive experience in digital media, organizational transformation and revenue growth.

Prior to joining CCM, Warner served as general manager at Swift Communications in Nevada, where she managed a portfolio of 25 local media brands. She also was vice president of Draper Digital Media and WBOC-TV in Maryland, where she launched the first interactive division at one of the state’s largest television stations.

“I'm thrilled to join Colorado Community Media. It has been my mission to help local news companies grow and thrive to meet the needs of readers, advertisers and communities,” said Warner. “With the support of the National Trust, I’m excited to lead CCM’s continued development into a sustainable community news business for Colorado.”

The National Trust for Local News started in Colorado in 2021 with the acquisition of Colorado Community Media, the primary source of local news for communities across the Denver metro region. Over the last two years, the National Trust has unveiled a comprehensive overhaul of CCM’s websites and digital news products, and expanded its news offerings to serve growing bilingual audiences in greater Denver.

The Trust Press, a commercial printing facility launched by the National Trust for Local News to address the skyrocketing costs of producing local news in Colorado, is now operational. The new press is printing the publications of Colorado Community Media, also owned by the National Trust, and will begin printing dozens of other local and ethnic newspapers in the new year.

“We’re excited that this path-breaking idea is finally a reality in Colorado,” said Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro, CEO and co-founder of the National Trust. “Print newspapers are still valued, particularly in rural and underrepresented communities. We are proud to launch this affordable and sustainable printing solution that will strengthen local and ethnic news organizations across Colorado.”

The nonprofit National Trust launched the Trust Press in response to rising printing costs in Colorado that threatened to put small news organizations out of business. The Trust Press is estimated to save local publishers at least $500,000 in 2025 compared to existing printing options.

The Trust Press was made possible by philanthropic support from the Colorado Media Project, Bohemian Foundation, Gates Family Foundation and The Colorado Trust. The National Trust is continuing to fundraise to support the Trust Press, with roughly $700,000 remaining to reach the project’s overall goal of $1.7 million.  

“Gates Family Foundation is grateful for the partners that rallied to make this new printing solution possible,” said Thomas A. Gougeon, president of Gates Family Foundation. “While the future of news is digital, a local and affordable way to support print publications is an essential bridge to that future. We hope that this press will support smaller, local publishers on the Front Range in a way that is more affordable, more mission aligned and more supportive of the local news ecosystem in Colorado.”

“The opening of the Trust Press by the National Trust for Local News is an exciting milestone for the revitalization of local news — not only in Colorado, but nationwide,” said Melissa Milios Davis, network manager of Press Forward and former director of the Colorado Media Project. “It demonstrates how philanthropic investment can strengthen the infrastructure of an entire ecosystem of small, independent newsrooms, as well as the broad range of communities that rely upon them for local news and information.”

“Access to trustworthy information is essential for healthy communities. This trust goes beyond the news itself — it involves relationships, community building and formats that provide easy access to information, including print materials,” said Johanna Ulloa, senior advocacy manager for The Colorado Trust. “By supporting the Trust Press, we are excited to help strengthen the information ecosystem in Colorado.”

The centerpiece of the Trust Press is a four-tower DGM 430 Press purpose-built for the smaller print runs that most local independent publishers now demand. The printing facility is located in northeast Denver and has already created five full-time jobs, with more expected in 2025.

"We have heard from so many local publishers here in Colorado who are struggling to find an affordable printing solution, and I am excited to serve them at the Trust Press,” said Kevin Smalley, director of the Trust Press. “We have a great team and first-rate facility in place. We’re already printing 100,000 copies per week and will soon offer affordable printing services that support a wide range of publications and the communities they serve.”

Smalley, previously vice president of operations for The Daily Gazette in Schenectady, New York, joined CCM earlier this year to oversee the stand-up of the new press facility. Publishers or commercial printing customers interested in the Trust Press are encouraged to email printing@coloradocommunitymedia.com for more information.

About the National Trust for Local News:

Founded in 2021, the National Trust for Local News is a nonprofit newspaper company dedicated to protecting and sustaining community news. Today, the National Trust owns and operates more than 60 newspapers across Maine, Colorado, and Georgia — critical sources of community news that serve nearly 40 counties and some five million people.

Our mission is to prevent the spread of news deserts and reconnect people to the places they live. We publish sustainable community newspapers that safeguard the public trust, elevate facts, empower communities with solutions and foster a strong sense of place.

For more information about the Trust, visit nationaltrustforlocalnews.org.