Veteran Colorado journalist Linda Shapley named Colorado Community Media publisher

The new owners of Colorado Community Media have named Linda Shapley the news company's publisher.

Shapley, a lifelong Coloradan, has been a senior news executive at The Denver Post and Colorado Politics magazine in a career in print and digital news and communication spanning more than 30 years.

She will lead CCM's two-dozen Colorado newspapers and websites as well as other publications as the company's first publisher since the May announcement of its sale by Jerry and Ann Healey to The Colorado News Conservancy, a partnership of The Colorado Sun and the National Trust for Local News dedicated to fostering community journalism.

CCM newspapers serve Adams, Arapahoe, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Jefferson and Weld counties.

"I am excited and honored to be assuming this role, especially during such a critical time in our industry," Shapley said. "Anyone who knows me knows I am an ardent supporter of local news, and my main goal is to tirelessly work at building a team that strengthens the bond a community has with its newspaper."

Shapley has been managing editor of Colorado Politics, affiliated with the Colorado Springs Gazette and Denver Gazette, since October 2019. Before that she was customer experience director at communications company Deke Digital and managing editor of The Denver Post, overseeing news operations and coverage.

Larry Ryckman, co-founder and editor of The Colorado Sun, said he was excited to be able to work with his former Post colleague again. Ryckman noted that Shapley "worked in many different roles and departments during her time at The Post and oversaw print production for news events large and small. She also led The Post’s community engagement initiative along with other operational duties."

Prior to The Post, Shapley worked at The Kansas City Star, the Greeley Tribune and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is a Colorado State University graduate and a former vice president of the Denver Press Club.

Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro, CEO of the National Trust for Local News and a Colorado News Conservancy board member, said CCM's owners "conducted an extensive, thorough search, and a number of highly qualified applicants expressed interest in the position. In Linda we found an experienced leader with a combination of strong newsroom chops, organizational skills and budgeting acumen. She’s a great listener, has boundless energy and is passionate about community news. On top of all that, she is a lifelong Coloradan with deep roots in Weld County."

Shapley joins CCM on Aug. 23.

CCM publications include the Arvada Press, Brighton Standard Blade, Canyon Courier, Castle Pines News-Press, Castle Rock News-Press, Centennial Citizen, Clear Creek Courant, Commerce City Sentinel Express, Denver Herald-Dispatch, Douglas County News-Press, Elbert County News, Englewood Herald, Evergreen Lifestyles, Fort Lupton Press, Golden Transcript, Highlands Ranch Herald, Jeffco Transcript, Life on Capitol Hill, Littleton Independent, Lone Tree Voice, Northglenn/Thornton Sentinel, Parker Chronicle, South Platte Independent, Washington Park Profile and Westminster Window, plus two shoppers, AdCo Advertiser and 285 Hustler.