Chronicle‑News Relaunch Praised After Resuming Local Printing for Neighboring Papers

The Chronicle‑News has returned printing to Trinidad after 25 years of outsourcing, and about a month into the relaunch readers and local institutions are offering steady praise for a refreshed look and the return of production to the community. Dozens of subscribers and residents have contacted the newsroom in person and by phone to compliment the new format and the restoration of press-work to town.

Beyond printing The Chronicle‑News, the paper is now also printing and assisting with the production of two historical mastheads in southeastern Colorado: The La Junta Tribune‑Democrat and Bent County Democrat, two paper also owned by Cherry Road Media. That operational pivot has been paired with a redesign readers describe as cleaner and easier to handle, a change that may influence circulation and subscriber satisfaction in a region where print still matters.

“It has been a month now since The Chronicle‑News began printing our newspaper again after 25 years of outsourcing the job and the local reaction has been overwhelmingly positive,” the staff report said, describing the wave of reader feedback. “Dozens of subscribers and community members have made it a point to reach out by phone, or walk into The Chronicle‑News offices at 132 N. Commercial St. to compliment the new format and applaud the return of press‑work to Trinidad.”

Reader comments highlighted specific product changes. “Just got done reading the Friday edition. Great work to you and your team! Love the modern look, size, clarity, content, and color!” said Kim Falen of Trinidad. James Elam of Raton added, “Yes, yes, yes. The new look is a welcome change. Pictures and colors are very clear and sharp, the size is easier to manage. I like it. And the smell of printers ink in the office will bring back memories of activity, production, and jobs. Good change!” A line attributed to the Trinidad History Museum read, “Congrats. Thanks for your continued dedication to the legacy of The Chronicle and to community.” The copy also includes a fragmentary attribution: “[…] Nancy Belenseifen.”

Management framed the relaunch as both a community service and a test of sustainability for small rural publications. “The hope is that we can prove small rural publications that serve their community can be maintained now and with enough hard work flourish in the future,” said Monson. Monson also acknowledged the team behind the effort: “I just want to thank our small team here. Thank you to Lainee Parker, T’Naus Nieto, Joe Zemba, Larkin Roy, Joe Farra, our design team, the technicians, delivery drivers and team at Cherry Road for all the hard work getting this off the ground. I think it’s going to make a difference.”

Local printing restores an economic node of activity that had been outsourced for a quarter-century. While exact employment and print-run figures were not released, the visible effects include increased foot traffic at the paper’s office at 132 N. Commercial St. and renewed community discussion about the value of locally produced news. Printing two additional regional titles may bring incremental revenue and supply-chain activity to Trinidad, supporting technicians, delivery drivers, and design staff tied to the operation.

For readers, the immediate impact is tangible: a modernized Friday edition that community members say is clearer, more colorful and easier to manage, produced in town. For the broader media economy in southeastern Colorado, the move tests whether small rural publications can sustain local production and whether that local production can translate into long-term jobs and circulation stability. Residents can visit The Chronicle‑News at 132 N. Commercial St. to view the new format and share feedback as the operation scales up.