Not So Rocky Mountain High

After nearly 150 years in print, The Rocky Mountain News will publish its last edition Friday, February 27^th. For many who have worked for the paper, this will mean the end of the line for a Denver classic, and a turning point for US history in the state of Colorado.

“The Rocky” as it’s affectionately known by its readers has covered everything from the breakout of the Civil War to both World Wars to most recently the War in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its 150^th anniversary is just a couple of months away, yet the company that owns the paper, E.W. Scripps Co. has been unable to find a buyer for months. The Rocky was put up for sale in December of 2008. Hopes were dashed in January when a perspective buyer was "unable to present a viable plan" as Scripps worded it in their press release. The closure of this paper represents another nail in the coffin for printed news, as more and more people are turning to the internet and other paperless alternatives. Four owners of 33 newspapers have sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy in only the past three months, which leaves people wondering which paper will be next on the list to go the way of the dinosaurs.

The Rocky's sister paper, The Denver Post, has issued a press release assuring people that it has 'momentum on its side' and will be a regular fixture on the breakfast tables and porches of Colorado residents for years to come. Without competition from The Rocky, The Denver Post could very well accomplish this feat at a time where the obsolescence of printed news is no longer a question but a reality. It is still as sad commentary and a sign of the times to see The Rocky no longer alive and breathing.

Many people in Denver and elsewhere are saddened by The Rocky's demise, but those that work for the paper are in some small way comforted by the fact that they get to participate in their own funeral. The final edition of the paper will include a 55 page 'Wrap' section about the history and memories associated with the paper over the past 150 years it has been in print. All of The Rocky's contributors will remain on the Scripps payroll until April 28^th, but beyond that, there is little they can do except look for a new home. Many writers and photographers will be vying for a few coveted positions at the last few great printed media outlets still standing. For many of these writers, editors, reporters, and photographers, perhaps now is the time to transition into the paperless side of the business.

It is always disheartening to see a printed media giant like The Rocky die out without a murmur or plans to continue in a non print format. There are thousands of other subscribers who feel the same way, yet the only thing left for them to do is to read about the paper's own demise in its final issue.