Meet Maryanne Talbott | Founder & Publisher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maryanne Talbott and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi MaryAnne, what matters most to you?
A reliable source of local information is the bedrock of a democracy. It’s what sews a community together. One of the founding principles of our nation is a free and fair press. It may sound corny but it’s what we believe. Media is the only business whose operations are specifically protected by the Constitution. We understand that responsibility.

What should our readers know about your business?
We’re proud to be a 3-year startup community media publisher. We are a rare example of what fully-digital community media looks like in a small, isolated, rural market. We took a risk by borrowing enough capital to cover a year of operations. That gave us enough runway to build a digital brand, audience and early revenue streams. We were cautious with our expenses so we wouldn’t run through our startup capital too quickly. My background in news and design gives us strong branding and a consistency in our presentation of news and information. We understand that we need to meet our audience where they are, and we are experienced in the world of journalism. We are demonstrating that small, rural markets will respond to quality community media and deserve as much investment as the medium and large-sized markets.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The San Luis Valley is vast (8,000 square miles or so) and spread out. We think we have some of the best scenery in the state and more than our share of artists and entrepreneurs. Some of the great things to do: experiencing a sunset evening at the Colorado Farm Brewery just outside of Alamosa; followed by a stay over at The Frontier Drive-Inn near the town of Center. The next morning’s breakfast would be at the Sunflour Cafe in neighboring Monte Vista, and then a morning at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. The other days of the week could include an overnight trip into Creede, followed by an afternoon and evening stay at the Windsor Hotel or the Mellow Moon Lodge Inn in Del Norte. The river walk in Del Norte is lovely, and there are cool shops and restaurants to check out nearby. From there it’s back east along Highway 160 to Alamosa, where we’ll base ourselves for day trips into San Luis for a hike to the Shrine of the Stations of the Cross, to the Town of Antonito and a ride on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, and the final day at the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. And you still haven’t seen everything there is to see. Along the way we’ll dine at Friar’s Fork & Sanctuary in Alamosa, and grab a box of amazing lighter-than-air donuts at Worth the Drive Bakery for the ride home.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband, who is the co-founder of Alamosa Citizen and partner with Zepol Media Partners, LLC. His life in journalism includes leadership roles at The Denver Post, Contra Costa Newspapers, The Desert Sun (Palm Springs), the El Paso Times, and Norte de Ciudad Juárez. He’s also a great writer and photographer.

Website: https://www.AlamosaCitizen.com

Instagram: @alamosacitizen

Twitter: @alamosacitizen

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Image Credits
Alamosa Citizen