The Rocky Mountain News was a daily newspaper published in Denver, Colorado. It was founded in 1859 and was one of the oldest newspapers in the state.
The Rocky Mountain News was known for its in-depth coverage of local news, including politics, sports, and entertainment. Its circulation peaked in the 1980s.
The newspaper was owned by E.W. Scripps Company from 1926 to 1987, during which time it expanded its operations and increased its circulation.
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History of Rocky Mountain News
The Rocky Mountain News has a rich history that spans over 150 years. It was founded by William N. Byers and John L. Dailey, along with Dr. George Monell and Thomas Gibson, on April 23, 1859.
Its first issue was printed on a printing press from Omaha, Nebraska, that had been hauled by oxcart during the start of the Colorado Gold Rush. Elizabeth "Libby" Byers, William's wife, accompanied the press from Nebraska and joined her husband as a copublisher and journalist at the paper.
The Rocky Mountain News became Colorado's oldest newspaper and possibly its longest continuously operated business. It went from a weekly to a daily newspaper in August 1860, and from an evening to a morning newspaper in July 1870.
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First Issue
The Rocky Mountain News was founded on April 23, 1859, by William N. Byers and John L. Dailey, along with Dr. George Monell and Thomas Gibson. This marked the beginning of a long history for the newspaper, which would go on to become Colorado's oldest newspaper.
The first issue of the Rocky Mountain News was printed on a printing press from Omaha, Nebraska, that had been hauled by oxcart during the start of the Colorado Gold Rush. This press was a vital tool for the newspaper's early success.
Elizabeth "Libby" Byers played a significant role in the newspaper's early days, accompanying the press from Nebraska to Denver and joining her husband as a copublisher and journalist at the paper.
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Closure
The closure of the Rocky Mountain News was a significant event in the paper's history. On December 4, 2008, E. W. Scripps put the News on the market, with industry analysts saying the move was possibly a prelude to shuttering the paper.
Industry analysts were likely right, as the deal with private equity investor Brian Ferguson from Texas fell through due to complications with the joint operating agreement. The deal would have otherwise given new life to the Rocky Mountain News.
The final edition of the Rocky Mountain News was printed on February 26, 2009, marking the end of an era for the newspaper. The newspaper's masthead, archives, and website were offered for sale, separate from its interest in the newspaper agency.
Following the shutdown, the Denver Post resumed seven-day-a-week publication, becoming the only daily newspaper in Denver. This move likely didn't come easily, but it's a testament to the resilience of the newspaper industry.
A study by a Portland State University professor found that the closure of the Rocky Mountain News led to a decline of 30% in civic engagement. This is a stark reminder of the impact that newspapers can have on a community.
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Possible Revival and Archive
In December 2014, Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz explored the possibility of reviving the Rocky Mountain News. He placed a prototype online and conducted market research to assess the feasibility of a relaunch.
The intellectual property of the Rocky Mountain News was purchased by Clarity Media Group, Anschutz's newspaper holding company. This move paved the way for potential future developments.
Anschutz later launched a Denver edition of the Colorado Springs Gazette in 2020, which publishes material from the Rocky Mountain News archives daily.
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Possible Revival
In December 2014, Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz was reported to be exploring the possibility of reviving the Rocky Mountain News. He had placed a prototype online to test the waters.
Anschutz's company, Clarity Media Group, purchased the intellectual property of the Rocky Mountain News, which included its archives. This move was a significant step towards reviving the newspaper.
Anschutz was conducting market research to assess the feasibility of a relaunch. This involved gathering data on the demand for the newspaper and its online presence.
In 2020, Anschutz launched a Denver edition of the Colorado Springs Gazette, which publishes material from the Rocky Mountain News archives daily. This is a sign that Anschutz is still committed to preserving the legacy of the Rocky Mountain News.
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Search Database
Searching the Rocky Mountain News database is a great way to uncover your family history. With over 330 years of history, you can fill in the gaps in your knowledge and find the newspaper entries related to your family within Denver, Colorado.
The GenealogyBank archives contain thousands of newspaper issues, making it one of the most comprehensive archives of Rocky Mountain News historic online newspapers anywhere in the U.S. You can access the entire Rocky Mountain News database in a matter of seconds using the search feature.
To start your search, select your desired newspaper collection and enter the last name of the relative you're researching. Press the "Search" button, and you'll receive a list of relevant records bearing your relative's name.
However, be aware that tens of thousands of Americans share the same name, so you need to be extremely careful not to make any mistakes.
Here are some tips to help you narrow down your results:
- Search for a relative by their initials, as it was common practice for people to be recorded officially by the initials of their first and middle names.
- Try searching for a female relative's name via their husband's name, as female relatives were often recorded this way.
- Use common misspellings, as one wrong initial could mean you miss that forgotten family member.
By following these tips and using the search feature, you can increase your chances of finding the right ancestors via the Rocky Mountain News historical data.
Value and Redesign
The Rocky Mountain News underwent a significant redesign in 2007. The changes included a smaller, magazine-style format with more color pages and photographs.
The redesign also introduced full-page photo section covers and a new masthead logo. This new design was made possible by new presses that allowed the newspaper to print about 25% faster.
Value of Historical Data
Historical data can add a lot of depth to family history projects. Official government records can only provide basic facts, but newspapers like the Rocky Mountain News can tell the story of how your ancestors lived and what they did.
Newspapers like the Rocky Mountain News archive can reveal relatives you didn't know about through announcements. Countless GenealogyBank users have discovered family members they'd never heard of through searching the Rocky Mountain News database.
The historical data you uncover can form the foundation for additional research and further discovery.
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Redesign
The Rocky Mountain News underwent a significant redesign in 2007, which was a result of new presses that allowed the newspaper to print 25% faster than its old presses.
This redesign led to a smaller, magazine-style format with more color pages and photographs, making the newspaper more visually appealing.
The new design also featured full-page photo section covers, which added an extra layer of visual interest to the publication.
A new masthead logo was introduced as part of the redesign, giving the newspaper a fresh and modern look.
The redesigned newspaper had different page numbering from the previous design, which made it easier for readers to navigate through the publication.
The new presses allowed the newspaper to print at an average speed of 60,000 issues per hour, increasing efficiency and productivity.
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