The National Trust for Local News and community news publisher Times Media Group, publisher of the Tucson Weekly, have announced a new strategic partnership and transfer of ownership involving the nearly 30 newspapers operated by Colorado Community Media across the state’s Front Range region.
As part of the transaction, the National Trust will sell 21 local publications concentrated in metro Denver — including 19 weekly newspapers and two direct-mail shoppers — to TMG, which currently operates more than 60 publications and websites across the Southwest.
The National Trust will retain ownership of seven publications stretching from Brighton to Idaho Springs and continue to grow and operate the Trust Press, a community printing press that supports the Front Range media ecosystem.
The partnership will help both organizations strengthen local journalism in Colorado by aligning resources, enhancing operations, and investing in community news where it’s most needed.
Times Media Group, a leading publisher with operations in Arizona, California and Colorado, brings deep experience in community journalism, operational excellence and digital innovation.
Known for its commitment to editorial integrity and community engagement, TMG provides free weekly newspapers, magazines, specialty publications and robust digital platforms that reach hundreds of thousands of readers.
"We know how much community news means to Colorado, and we deeply respect the terrific legacy created over the years by these publications and their teams," said Steve Strickbine, president and founder of Times Media Group.
"This partnership with the National Trust is a perfect fit, and we’re excited to build on the great journalism ahead while creating new ways for advertisers to connect with their communities."
Strickbine, whose family roots in Colorado stretch back to the late 1800s, emphasized his personal connection to the state — he owns a home in La Veta — and his passion for telling the stories of local communities and their residents.
The National Trust for Local News, a pioneering nonprofit dedicated to sustaining local journalism, acquired Colorado Community Media in 2021.
By focusing its future efforts on the retained publications, the National Trust will expand its rural and diverse audience reach, drive digital growth, and ensure robust local coverage where alternative news options are limited.
“Through this strategic partnership with Times Media Group, we are able to sustain strong local journalism across greater Denver while focusing our growth on communities where our model can have the greatest long-term impact,” said Will Nelligan, chief growth officer of the National Trust for Local News.
“This is a positive outcome for local news in Colorado and a key step toward building a more resilient, equitable media ecosystem.”
The National Trust will continue to grow the Trust Press, a community printing press launched in 2023 to address rising production costs faced by publishers across Colorado.
As part of the partnership, TMG will print with the Trust Press and support its continued sustainability.
As part of the broader collaboration, Times Media Group will provide operational support services — including page design, digital infrastructure, advertising sales and circulation management — to the Colorado Trust for Local News.
This approach allows the National Trust to focus on journalism and community engagement, while TMG supports the operational needs critical to long-term success.
"Our commitment to Colorado — where the National Trust first took root — is deep and enduring," said Amalie Nash, head of transformation at the National Trust for Local News.
"This partnership ensures that more communities will continue to have access to trusted, community-centered journalism for years to come."
The National Trust for Local News is a community-rooted, nationally scaled nonprofit building a more equitable future for local journalism. Its mission is to renew civic life by rebuilding local news.
It is the primary source of local news for 6 million people in Maine, Colorado and Georgia.
Times Media Group is a dynamic digital and print media company serving the Phoenix, Tucson and Los Angeles metro markets with more than 1.1 million printed copies and millions of online readers monthly.
Founded in 1997 by CPA-turned-publishing entrepreneur Steve Strickbine, the company has grown to a portfolio of over 60 titles, including hyperlocal newspapers, statewide magazines and high-traffic websites.
Times Media Group also owns AZ Integrated Media, a distribution and custom publishing firm. Guided by core values such as integrity, principled entrepreneurship, and customer focus, TMG is dedicated to producing impactful journalism and delivering consistent, measurable value across the communities it serves.
