The Pikes Peak Bulletin is “taking a pause from print,” while reassessing what to do about its financial situation, according to Lyn Ettinger-Harwell, president and publisher.

“We’re not dead by any means, we’re not going away, we’ve got to map the best way forward,” he said.

There’s no timeline on when printing might resume, said Heila Ershadi, associate publisher, adding that the hope is it’s not offline for too long.

“We believe in the power of print, even as digital becomes increasingly important,” she said. “This printing pause is an opportunity to enhance our digital presence and products.”

Board members decided at a meeting Thursday night to forge ahead with trying to scale up to be a viable business again. Also, in the short-term, a donation from a board member will pay for continued stories on public affairs and other content for its website, social media and a free emailed newsletter, Ershadi said.

She did not disclose how much the organization received or how much of a deficit the Bulletin is facing but said the budget shortfall is due to high printing expenses.

Reporting on communities, businesses, arts, entertainment and sports will continue for online but be scaled back, said Ershadi, one of two paid employees. Some contracted contributors said they would write articles for free, she said.

There are no plans at this time to lay off the staff of two, Ershadi said, adding that her workload may be reduced. She also volunteered to forgo her paycheck for a few cycles because she sees the job as her calling.

The budget for the nonprofit publication is running in the red due to “a couple of promises (for grants) we’ve had that have been delayed,” Ettinger-Harwell said.

“There’s lots of stuff going on, a lot of nonprofits are looking at budget downfalls, and we’re in that area,” he said. “It’s not a big amount, but to be ethical, we have to have funds coming in.”

The Bulletin’s website says the organization needs to raise $25,000 to “give us the runway to acquire the funds that will allow us not just to continue, but to grow and strengthen.”

The Pikes Peak Bulletin, founded in 1918, has traditionally focused on Manitou Springs, and over the years it has existed in different iterations. It’s expanded coverage in recent times to include Old Colorado City, Ute Pass communities and downtown Colorado Springs.

The Bulletin was merged in 2022 into a new publication, Sixty35, when its parent company, the now defunct Colorado Springs Independent, consolidated its holdings.

The Bulletin folded when The Independent closed and was resurrected by a grassroots group with Ettinger-Harwell in charge of the new nonprofit model.

“There is a vital role for an alternative voice in the Pikes Peak region,” Ershadi said. “I believe we will grow into our full potential as a regional journalism powerhouse, and achieve financial sustainability and profitability — but the public-servant soul of the Bulletin will never change.” 

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