Aspen Journalism 2012 Annual Report Our mission: Aspen Journalism is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to produce investigative journalism in the local public interest. We cover the Roaring Fork River watershed in western Colorado, with an emphasis on Pitkin County and the communities of Aspen and Snowmass Village. Our goals Produce excellent in-depth investigative journalism. Present local public information in a useful and compelling manner. Collaborate with local and regional news organizations. The impact from our reporting in 2012 We raised awareness about a number of relevant and important local and regional issues, including: the process used by the Aspen city council in moving from "penstock to drainline" when planning and implementing aspects of its proposed hydropower plant,which voters gave a thumbs down to in an advisory vote in November' the acknowledgement by the city of Aspen that it has been keeping conditional water rights alive since 1970 that are tied to two potential reservoirs on Castle and Maroon creeks; the 50 billionaires on the Forbes 400 list who own homes or have business interests in the Aspen area; the evolving financial and legal status of the Base Village project in Snowmass Village, which is the largest failed development in Pitkin County history; and the efforts by Pitkin County, American Rivers and other groups to prevent a dam from being built on the Crystal River and to obtain Wild and Scenic designation for the river. Stories published in 2012 2012 48 total stories published (as of Dec. 8) Number of stories published in collaboration with: The Aspen Business Journal - 5 The Aspen Daily News - 18 The Aspen Times - 9 The Denver Post - 2 The Snowmass Sun - 4 2011 51 total stories published Number of stories published in collaboration with: Aspen Public Radio - 1 The Aspen Business Journal - 5 The Aspen Daily News - 5 The Aspen Times - 9 The Aspen Times Weekly - 1 The Denver Post - 2 The Glenwood Springs Post Independent - 4 KDNK - 11 The Snowmass Sun - 2 January 2012 "A look at who is suing Aspen over rights for Hydro," 1/4/2012 Also published in the Aspen Daily News. "NSAA v. USFS, lawsuit over water rights," 1/14/2012 "Reciever: Related's bond moves hurt metro districts," 1/15/2012. Also published in The Aspen Times. "Public in Paonia says privacy doesn't justify Bear Ranch land swap," 1/16,2011, Also published in the Denver Post. "Top end of the Aspen market strong in 2011," 1/23, 2012. Also published by the Aspen Business Journal. "Aspen's request for faster review of hydro draws opposition," 1/23/2012. Also published by the Aspen Daily News. February 2012 "The Related Cos. refutes charges from Hypo over bonds tied to Base Village metro districts," 2/1/2012. Also published by The Aspen Times. "Local donors to Colorado congressional races," 2/8/2012. "Groups call for new stream gauges to measure rivers," 2/13/2012. Also published in the Aspen Daily News. "Base Village receivership ends, project still for sale," 2/15/2012. Also published in the Snowmass Sun. "Related loses appeal in suit against Hypo, 2/23/2012. Also published in The Aspen Times. "Aspen property owners give millions to Romney super PAC," 2/27/2012. Also published by the Aspen Business Journal. "Base Village owners to lower its valuation by $94 million," 2/29/2012. Also published by The Aspen Times and the Snowmass Sun. March 2012 Two locals seek approvals for new rafting company," 3/3/2012. Also published by the A spen Daily News. "Buyers accuse SkiCo of fraud in Base Village condo sales," 3/7/2012. Also published in the Snowmass Sun. "Expert recommends filling in Rio Grand 'kayak park,'" 3/8/2012. Also published in the Aspen Daily News. April 2012 "The Aspen 50 - Forbes billionaire in Pitkin County," 4/2/2012. Also published in the Aspen Business Journal "New report drops net power estimates for city hydro plant," 4/9/2012. Also published in the Aspen Daily News. "City report on hydro riddled with errors," 4/10/2012. Also published in the Aspen Daily News. "Groups seek water for rivers, and fish, this summer," 4/30/2102. Also published in the Aspen Daily News. May 2012 "New stream gauge on Castle Creek installed," 5/1/2012. Also published in the Aspen Daily News. "Aspen's hydro process is criticized before Congress," 5/14/2012. Also published in the Aspen Daily News. "Questions, and answers, about the Base Village deal," 5/16/2012. Also published in the Snowmass Sun. "American Rivers attempts to influence Colo. River District," 5/17/2012. Also published in the Aspen Daily News. "No Little Nell hotel for Snowmass Base Village?," 5/19/2012. Also published in The Aspen Times. June 2012 "State: Those dam trees have to go," 6/1/2012. Also published in the Aspen Daily News. "Aspen defends its journey from penstock to drain line," 6/4/2012. Also published in the Aspen Daily News. "'Cronkite' gets it right, 6/22/2012. Also published in the Aspen Daily News 'Time Out' section. "Aspen Ideas: Festival 2012 opens," 6/28/2012. "Aspen Ideas: Respond to shrinking snowpack," 6/28/2012 "Aspen Ideas: Passing on the wealth," 6/29/2012 "Aspen Ideas: Google's Schmidt on the value of going deep," 6/29/2012 "Aspen Ideas: the president, race, and the game," 6/30/2012. July 2012 "Aspen Ideas Fest: Mullen on Syria, drons and veterans," 7/7/2012. "City maintains rights for dams on Castle and Maroon Creeks," 7/9/2012. Also published in the Aspen Daily News. August 2012 "Prince Bandar still alive, insiders say," 8/24/2012. Also published in The Aspen Times. September 2012 Fuel sales could boost airport rent revenues," 9/4/2012. Also published in the Aspen Business Journal. "Turf war on a polo field of dreams," 9/11/2012. Also published in The Aspen Times. "Need for second private jet center in Aspen questioned," 9/24/2012. Also published in the Aspen Business Journal. October 2012 "Windstar property for sale, John Denver's legacy in question," 10/2/2012. Also published in The Aspen Times. "Justice Dept. investigating power play on local gas pipelines," 10/14/2012. Also published in The Aspen Times. "Lance Armstrong talks doping at 2007 Aspen Ideas Festival, 10/17/2012 "Part of John Denver's pristine property near Aspen may be sold for a luxe home," 10/28/2012, in the Denver Post. November 2012 "'Mailbox money:' Aspen's most valuable retail buildings, 11/12/2012. Also published in the Aspen Business Journal. "Trees on Thomas Reservoir removed, new tailrace planned," 11/26/2012. "City approves 2013 grants to arts and community nonprofits," 11/26/2012. "Local groups want Crystal River to be Wild and Scenic," 11/27/2012. Also published in the Aspen Daily News. December 2012 (as of Dec. 8) "Aspen's Ruedi water buy may bolster prospect for new dams on Castle and Maroon creeks," 12/3/2012. Also published in the Aspen Daily News. Organizational accomplishments - 2012 2012 was Aspen Journalism's second full year of operations. In addition to building on the organization's successful first year, we made progress on several fronts, including expanding the journalism advisory board and launching a national council program. Staff Brent Gardner-Smith, Editor and Executive Director Freelancers Used in 2012 Madeleine Osberger, reporter Brady Hurley, copy editor Dan Bayer, photographer Catherine Lutz, editor Tim Mutrie, reporter Governance Board of Directors Tim McFlynn (chair) executive director, Public Counsel of the Rockies Michael McVoy, Aspen-based investment advisor Brent Gardner-Smith, editor and executive director, Aspen Journalism Journalism Advisory Board Roger Adams, news director, Aspen Public Radio Dave Danforth, owner/publisher, Aspen Daily News Charles Davis, associate professor, Missouri School of Journalism Charles Firestone, exec. director, Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program Laura Frank, executive director, Rocky Mountain Investigative News Network Sarah Gilman, associate editor, High Country News Catherine Lutz, freelance reporter, former managing editor of Aspen Daily News Tim Mutrie, freelance reporter & contributor to the New York Times. Rem Rieder, editor and senior VP, American Journalism Review Curtis Robinson, former editor, Aspen Daily News Andy Stone, columnist, former editor, The Aspen Times Mike Webb, vice president of communications, ProPublica Financial Supporters The Brett Family Foundation The Nick DeWolf Foundation Joanne and Lee Lyon The Manaus Fund The Ernst and Wilma Marten Foundation The Sopris Foundation The Thrift Shop of Aspen