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Our communities aren’t waiting.

Neither are we.

Three days of practical ideas, honest conversations and the people helping build what's next. Join us in Denver this August.

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“

You leave with real ideas, new contacts and renewed energy to keep going.

— 2025 attendee

Hosted by

COLab: Colorado News Collaborative

Presented by

Thursday

Why does local news matter?

Friday

How must local news adapt?

Saturday

Who do our communities need us to become?

New for 2026

AI Sales Games

Learn AI by doing.

A hands-on, team-based experience built for revenue and sales professionals.

✓

Compete.

✓

Experiment.

✓

Solve real challenges.

Learn more
What's happening

Updates

Announcements, deadlines and new additions to the convention.

Program

Sundance Film Festival + screening

Conversation with festival director, followed by screening of documentary “Seized”.

See program →

Program

Schedule overview added

See the flow of events for the three days.

See schedule →

Registration

Group discounts now available

Bring colleagues and save with new team pricing.

See group pricing →

AI Sales Games

Kickoff webinar announced

Meet the format, build your team and get ready to compete.

Webinar details →

Program

New speakers joining the lineup

More newsroom leaders and practical experts are confirmed.

Meet the speakers →

New for 2026

Four themes. One connected experience.

These themes are integrated across all sessions, workshops and experiences. You’ll find something relevant no matter your role or the day you attend.

AI & Innovation

Practical applications of AI, newsroom tools, workflow, ethics and smarter ways of working.

Building Sustainable News

Revenue, audience, product, partnerships, philanthropy and organizational sustainability.

Collaborating to Tell Our Story

How we strengthen local news together, communicate our value and learn across organizations and roles.

Practical Skills

Long-form workshops, hands-on learning and immediately useful techniques you can take home.

AT A GLANCE

Plan your three days.

Each major themed block begins with a short panel introducing the featured theme, followed by roundtables and workshops exploring a wide range of topics. Whatever your interests, you’ll find relevant sessions throughout the convention.

Thursday, August 27

Why does local news matter?

3:00 PM

Registration opens

4:00–4:15 PM

Welcome + opening remarks

4:15–4:40 PM

Stories That Remind Us Why Local News Matters

4:40–5:00 PM

Opening keynote

5:00–5:30 PM

Legislative leaders conversation

5:30–5:45 PM

Legislative awards

5:45–7:15 PM

Opening reception

7:30–8:10 PM

Sundance Film Festival, arts + journalism

8:15–10:30 PM

Screening: Seized + filmmaker Q&A

Friday, August 28

How must local news adapt?

7:30–8:30 AM

Registration + breakfast

8:30–9:00 AM

Welcome + opening keynote

9:00 AM–Noon

Morning sessions: AI conversations, roundtables, workshops + AI Sales Games

12:15–1:30 PM

Lunch + keynote

1:30–5:00 PM

Afternoon sessions: Sustainability conversations, roundtables, workshops + AI Sales Games

5:30–7:00 PM

Young Professionals reception + mixer

Saturday, August 29

Who do our communities need us to become?

8:00–9:00 AM

Breakfast + Past Presidents Breakfast

9:00–10:00 AM

Saturday keynote + telling the story of local news

10:15 AM–Noon

Collaboration morning: Stronger Together + peer exchange

Noon–1:00 PM

Lunch + networking

1:00–3:45 PM

Afternoon sessions: Skills conversations, roundtables, deep dives + workshops

4:30–7:30 PM

Hall of Fame + A-Mark Prize + Better News Awards dinner

Times and program details subject to change.

Explore the program →

Featured Speakers

Kent Thiry
Unite America / former DaVita
Amalie Nash
Knight Foundation
Garry Pierre-Pierre
URL Media
Julia Campbell
Local Media Association
Kimberly Spencer
Colorado Media Project
Kevin Slimp
Newspaper Academy
Kevin Berrier
MDDC Press Association
Laura Frank
Colorado News Collaborative
Dan Grech
YBYS

WHAT ATTENDEES ARE SAYING

“

If people knew what they gained from coming to these conventions, they would come and bring their staff to every convention. It’s a great opportunity for individuals and staffs to learn, connect, and have a good time together.

—Kevin Slimp, founder, Newspaper Academy
So many resources, connections, vital conversations, and camaraderie.

—2023 Attendee, Journalist
The convention recharges our batteries, reminds us why we do what we do, and gives us fresh ideas and tools for doing better journalism.

—2022 Attendee
For us as funders, [the convention] reinforced why it’s so important to support this work and hear what outlets, journalists, and publishers are going through every day.

—Kimberly Spencer, Director, Colorado Media Project
There’s a lot to learn, and it’s information you can’t find anywhere else without hours of searching and lots of money.

—2022 Attendee
I walk away with new ways to collaborate, and ideas from around the country. You also deepen relationships with people in this state.

—Lee Ann Colacioppo, Executive Editor, The Denver Post
I’m not used to seeing such a diverse mix of people at these conventions. It’s exciting.

—2022 National Sponsor
This year’s convention had so much energy. I loved the workshops, which were very helpful for navigating new revenue streams.

—2023 Attendee, Publisher
The convention offers a great opportunity to network and learn from experts in the industry, regardless of your organizational role.

—2023 Attendee, Publisher
This is the best networking event you will attend all year.

—2023 Attendee, Academic
Events and workshops are consciously curated, and cover just about every topic in local journalism. I also appreciate the speakers from other places who had something significant to say.

—2024 Attendee, Journalist
Many visitors from outside CPA said this is one of the most vibrant and collaborative media groups they’ve seen. The best collaborations always seem to begin face-to-face. Be a part of it.

—2024 Attendee, Journalist
The CPA convention has become a true community of practice, marked by authenticity, innovation, and a shared commitment to solving hard problems together.

—2025 Speaker
The camaraderie of being among news industry professionals deeply committed to journalism was as inspiring as it was educational. I wish more journos at all stages of their careers could attend.

—2025 Attendee, Journalist
This was my first time attending all three days. The full experience was much more fulfilling than driving up for a single day.

—2025 Attendee, Journalist
Every year this conference introduces me to new people who inspire me. It’s a collection of passion-driven, collaborative people working for a stronger democracy, and it’s a community I’m proud to be part of.

—2025 Attendee, National Journalist
If you are looking to improve any part of your business, there is something for you here.

—2024 National Sponsor
As a journalist in a rural area, it’s easy to feel isolated from the work reporters are doing in other parts of the state. Making those connections helped me get back in touch with what made me fall in love with this work.

—2024 Attendee, Journalist
For young journalists, it’s a great experience to start networking early and attend workshops with seasoned journalists. The guidance and support at this conference can help re-ignite your passion for journalism.

—2024 Attendee, Student Editor
Tim and his team are so intentional about creating a space that helps people connect, learn from each other, and have conversations they wouldn’t have otherwise had. For this industry, [the convention] leaves us feeling energized.

—Sam Moody, Associate Director, Colorado Media Project
The convention is an excellent place to brainstorm new ideas and get fresh perspectives on issues that are often not isolated to a single newsroom. It is a chance to connect with the journalistic community and learn from each other.

—2024 Attendee, Journalist
Celebrate with and encourage your fellow journalists, and return home better informed and refreshed.

—2023 Attendee, Publisher/Editor
The roundtable sessions get interesting people talking about many different topics. They’re much more dynamic and social than the traditional speaker/presenter format.

—2024 Sponsor
I’m still riding the buzz from this year’s CPA conference. The energy, engagement, and can-do spirit of the participants were infectious and inspiring. This is a special community of practice, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.

—2025 Speaker
Great to hear new ideas about things impacting journalism in Colorado. Great to meet new people, both journalists and those outside of journalism. Great experience and networking for university students.

—2025 Attendee, Academic
This year’s convention was the best I’ve attended so far. The openness of the conversations, the diversity of perspectives, and the sense of community made it feel incredibly special.

—2025 Speaker
What a wonderful convention. The intimate size made it easy to chat with presenters and attendees alike.

—2022 Attendee, Publisher
Great networking opportunity! Interesting conversations!

—2023 Attendee, Editor
I learned a ton at the CPA Convention this year. I loved the focus on identifying and addressing challenges within peer groups, and I have already put some of those tips into practice.

—2025 Attendee, Journalist

▶

WHAT MAKES LOCAL NEWS SOLUTIONS DIFFERENT

Solutions-focused by design. People-powered by purpose.

This isn’t another conference about the problems in local news. It’s where we come together to solve them.

Practical ideas you can use

Cross-newsroom collaboration

Honest conversations that move us forward

A community that lasts

Awards
Celebration

SATURDAY NIGHT

Honoring the best of Colorado journalism—and the people who make it possible.

Better News
Media Contest

A-Mark
Prize

CPA
Hall of Fame

Find your place in the conversation

Every role. Every type of newsroom.

All who want to build healthy local news.

News Leaders

Publishers, editors and managers guiding their organizations forward.

Journalists

Reporters, producers and editors telling our communities’ stories.

Revenue & Audience

Sales, marketing and audience professionals growing reach and sustainability.

Community & Philanthropy

Funders, nonprofits and civic partners strengthening local news ecosystems.

Students & Emerging Leaders

The next generation of news leaders and changemakers.

Bringing together community newspapers, metro dailies, digital-first outlets, public media, nonprofit and ethnic media, universities, students, funders and civic organizations from across Colorado and beyond.