By Hundreds of journalists, publishers, revenue strategists, media executives, and journalism students gathered in Thornton this week for the 148th annual Colorado Press Association (CPA) Convention.
Running from August 27–29, 2026, at the Delta Hotels Denver Thornton, the statewide conference—themed Local News Solutions 2026—serves as the flagship gathering for newsrooms navigating the shifting financial, technological, and regulatory landscape of local journalism.
Presented in partnership with the Colorado Media Project and the Colorado News Collaborative (COLab), this year’s convention focuses heavily on actionable strategies for sustainability, community-centered reporting, and emerging technologies.
Tackling Modern Challenges
With business models shifting rapidly across the media sector, sessions at this year’s convention address revenue diversification, public policy, and editorial innovation. Panel discussions featured prominent figures from across the state’s media footprint, including media scholar and SPJ board member Corey Hutchins.
Key agenda items throughout the three-day event include:
- Generative AI & Revenue Strategy: Hands-on workshops exploring how advertising and sales teams can ethically leverage AI tools to streamline operations and expand local ad inventory.
- Public Policy & Access: Conversations with state legislative leaders regarding media access, legal advertising, and legislative support for local reporting infrastructure.
- Freelance & Independent Journalism: Dedicated tracks covering business sustainability, pitch strategies, and legal considerations for independent reporters operating outside traditional newsrooms.
Elevating the Next Generation
A central focus of the 2026 conference is developing pipeline opportunities for emerging reporters. The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Colorado Pro Chapter provided fully sponsored passes and memberships to journalism students across Colorado to ensure student participation in key workshops and networking sessions.
Celebrating Local Journalism
The convention will conclude on Saturday evening with the association’s annual dinner celebrating the winners of the Better Newspaper Contest. The awards recognize outstanding achievements in investigative reporting, photography, digital storytelling, and general excellence across newsrooms in Colorado. The evening will also highlight new inductees into the CPA Hall of Fame.
