O’Rourke Media Group has announced the acquisition of the Gunnison Country Times and associated website, Gunnison Country Shopper, and several niche publications.
O’Rourke Media Group also owns The Pagosa Springs SUN.
“I’d like to welcome the team in Gunnison to O’Rourke Media Group. The Gunnison Country Times is a very strong, impactful community newspaper and will be a great fit strategically and operationally with our other six newspapers and websites in Colorado,” said Jim O’Rourke, O’Rourke Media Group owner and CEO. “Our production team in Salida, Colo., currently handles the printing for the Gunnison papers, so that operational synergy is a nice benefit.”
The Gunnison Country Times was established on Aug. 18, 1975, when the town’s three existing newspapers — the Gunnison News, the Gunnison Champion and the Gunnison County Star — merged into the new paper. That lineage traces back 145 years. As of 2021, the paper transitioned to new ownership, with Alan Wartes and Issa Forrest taking the helm from previous owner Chris Dickey.
“It’s been a great honor to serve as publisher and owner of the Times,” Wartes said. “Our community is incredibly engaged and informed, and I am confident that Jim O’Rourke is the right successor to safeguard and steward the newspaper’s role into the future.”
O’Rourke Media Group is a family-owned, diversified media company that was formed in 2018. The company operates across eight states, encompassing 40 markets with more than 58 publications and hyper-local websites.
“I have really appreciated getting to know and working with Alan through this entire process of bringing these newspapers into OMG. We’re unwavering with our strategy to own and operate print newspapers while thoughtfully building and growing digital audience and revenue,” said O’Rourke. “We believe there’s lots of growth opportunities in Gunnison as we continue producing hyper-local news and information while working with and bringing new advertising solutions to local businesses.”
Expanding into Gunnison marks the third acquisition by O’Rourke Media Group in the past two months. The sale officially closes on Sept. 30.
For more information about O’Rourke Media Group, visit orourkemediagroup.com.
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