Dear Southern Colorado,

Some say newspapers are dying. They are wrong.

When the opportunity to purchase the PULP came up, we asked ourselves, "What has happened to the art of telling a story in newsprint?" This powerful medium is on the edge of extinction because compelling stories have been squeezed out in favor of sound bytes and ad space.

Content is everything to us. Getting a story right is what we are after. A successful newspaper needs compelling stories and demanding reporters, not sensationalized articles and garish advertisement.

We want to tell the narrative of the 21^st century- honest, poignant, and conclusive.

As a news medium, we still need to do more.

We need to stop pitting one side against the other, but engage in actual dialog. We need to stop covering our backside by simply alluding to a problem or making vague assumptions, but respond definitively and specifically. We need to quit pointing out problems without ever offering a solution.

In fact, we hope to be a solution.

We know it will be hard. We welcome this because we are certain our approach isn't just what you want... but what you demand.

Always Forward,

The Publishers for the City of Free People

January 2012

When we talk about '60's counter-culture, The Haight or Woodstock is what usually comes to mind. However, our area should get its due, considering that Drop City, the first rural artist commune established in the mid '60s, was right here in Southern Colorado. An exhibit highlighting some Colorado artists, past and present, that shared similar sensibilities as those '60's hippies, is currently on view at CSU-Pueblo's art gallery. Droppers, Drifters and Anti-Designers, organized by faculty-member, Caroline Peters, is an adventurous introduction to our own hippie history.

January 2012

“Beer!”

It’s 2:03 and I’m standing inside the empty coffee shop where we are supposed to meet. I’m slightly late, after starting off in the wrong direction. I’m not even sure I’m in the right place when I see Conor’s text from 10 minutes ago.

“Meadow Muffins then.“

I’m not familiar with this part of OCC, as the locals call Old Colorado City, a comical twist on Orange County, California; this town is its polar opposite. After comically walking in the wrong direction yet again (I blame Google maps for rotating itself if you try to point your phone in the direction you are facing), I arrive just as identical twins Conor and Ian Bourgal of The Changing Colors received the pitcher they ordered at the bar.

@jonalmanzar facebook.com/jonathanalmanzar

There is something peculiar about stories. Mark Twain once said, "Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story," but in reality a good story has the ability to change the facts...or at least our perception of them.

Take our city for example. The stories surrounding Pueblo don't represent the truths about us. Depending how far you travel from the corner of First and Main, the stories become more and more uninviting. In fact, right in the middle of our city you can hear stories that cast Pueblo in a light that isn't so beautiful. But, once in a while, you hear whispers that give us a glimpse of what Pueblo could be, or maybe already is. We've just always believed the other stories.