FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 20, 2026
Media contact:
Tim Regan-Porter
Colorado Press Association
ceo@colopress.net
$25 Thursday pass includes a civic program, opening reception, conversation with Eugene Hernandez, film screening and post-film discussion
NORTHGLENN, Colo. — The Colorado Press Association is inviting the public to the opening night of Local News Solutions 2026 on Thursday, Aug. 27, for an evening exploring the intersection of local journalism, civic life, public policy and the arts.
A $25 Thursday pass includes the full opening program, a reception, a conversation with Sundance Film Festival Director Eugene Hernandez, a screening of Seized and a post-film conversation with Hernandez and filmmaker Sharon Liese.
The program begins at 4 p.m. at Delta Hotels Denver Thornton, 10 E. 120th Ave. in Northglenn. Details and registration are available at convention.press/opening.
“Local journalism shapes how communities understand themselves, participate in public life and hold institutions accountable,” said Tim Regan-Porter, CEO of the Colorado Press Association. “We want opening night to bring journalists and the public into the same room for an honest, engaging conversation about why local news matters and what it will take to protect it.”
While registration is open to anyone for all three days of Local News Solutions, Thursday is being presented as a public-facing opening night. Attendees may come for the entire program or join later for the reception, Sundance Film Festival conversation and film.
The evening begins with Colorado newsroom leaders sharing stories that illustrate the value of local journalism. COLab Executive Director Laura Frank will then speak about the road ahead for Colorado newsrooms.
A conversation with Colorado legislative leaders will follow, examining the challenges facing local news and the role public policy can play in supporting journalism, transparency and public access. The Colorado Press Association will also present its Legislative Collaboration Awards before the opening reception.
At 7:30 p.m., Hernandez will discuss the connections among the arts, journalism and community life as the Sundance Film Festival prepares for its 2027 Colorado debut.
The program will then turn to Seized, Liese’s documentary about the 2023 police raid on the Marion County Record in Kansas. Police seized computers, cellphones and records from the newspaper’s office and the home of its publisher. The paper’s 98-year-old co-owner died the following day.
The documentary follows the raid, its personal toll and the constitutional questions it raised about press freedom and government power. Seized premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
Following the screening, Liese and Hernandez will join Regan-Porter for a conversation about the film and its themes, followed by questions from the audience.
Thursday opening-night schedule
- 4–5 p.m.: Why local news matters
- 5–5:45 p.m.: Policy in action and Legislative Collaboration Awards
- 5:45–7:15 p.m.: Opening reception
- 7:30–8:10 p.m.: Conversation with Sundance Film Festival Director Eugene Hernandez
- 8:15–9:50 p.m.: Screening of Seized
- 9:50–10:30 p.m.: Post-film conversation and audience questions
The $25 pass covers the full Thursday program, reception, screening and post-film conversation. It is also included with any other Local News Solutions convention pass.
For complete information or to register, visit convention.press/opening.
About Local News Solutions
Local News Solutions 2026 is the 148th Colorado Press Association Annual Convention, hosted with Colorado Media Project and COLab, the Colorado News Collaborative. The three-day gathering, Aug. 27–29, brings together people from across the local news ecosystem to learn, connect, exchange practical ideas and build stronger organizations and relationships. Programming is designed for newsroom, business and community leaders, as well as funders, educators, policymakers and civic partners working to strengthen local news and information.
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