Local publisher David Cook will continue to run day-to-day operations
ASPEN, Colo. (Dec. 30, 2025) — Today, Hoffmann Family of Companies (“HF Companies”), through its media division Hoffmann Media Group, has acquired Aspen Daily News and will support the publication’s continued independent operation under its existing local leadership. The Hoffmanns have deep personal ties to Aspen and, through this purchase, are investing in the paper’s long-term stability while keeping its newsroom, leadership, and editorial independence firmly rooted in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Under the agreement, publisher David Cook will continue to lead all day-to-day operations, ensuring continuity in the paper’s mission, newsroom culture, and commitment to the community it has served since 1978.
“This paper has always belonged to Aspen,” Cook said. “Our job is—and always has been—to hold power accountable, tell the stories that matter and reflect the character of the Roaring Fork Valley. This acquisition gives us the stability to keep doing that work at the highest level, with the same independence and local leadership our readers expect.”
Cook emphasized that the newsroom remains unchanged, including editorial decision-making, staffing, coverage priorities, and the paper’s famously unvarnished voice.
The Hoffmanns bring both resources and a long-standing personal connection to the valley, rooted in decades of visits and the many memories made together over the years. Their investments include CTS Aspen, the valley’s premier luxury ground transportation provider; RMC, the destination management company originally founded in Aspen and now headquartered in Basalt; and several real estate holdings across the region including Avon.
Pason Gaddis, CEO of Hoffmann Media Group, emphasized that the family’s investment continues a personal commitment to the Roaring Fork Valley, not an outsider’s play for consolidation.
“We see tremendous opportunity to elevate Aspen Daily News through cutting-edge digital innovation while honoring its rich heritage,” Gaddis said. “This investment ensures the paper remains a trusted voice and a cornerstone of the valley’s media landscape for generations to come.”
The partnership comes at a pivotal moment for local journalism nationwide. By joining forces with a family-owned media group—not a hedge fund or corporate chain—Aspen Daily News positions itself to enhance digital innovation, diversify revenue and remain a strong, independent voice in Aspen for decades to come.
Founded in 1978 as a one-page “missive,” Aspen Daily News has evolved into one of Colorado’s most distinctive and influential local newspapers, known for its watchdog reporting, lively opinions, and commitment to community-centered storytelling. Cook, who became publisher in 2014 and co-owner in 2017, will continue to guide ADN’s organizational mission and represent the paper in the community.
“What matters most is that our readers see the same Aspen Daily News tomorrow that they saw yesterday,” Cook said. “The only difference is that we’ll now have the support to grow in the ways this community deserves.”
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About Hoffmann Media Group:
Hoffmann Media Group—part of Hoffmann Family of Companies—is a rapidly expanding, community-focused media organization committed to strengthening local journalism across the United States. With a portfolio of more than 40 publications spanning over 30 markets nationwide, the company delivers trusted reporting, compelling storytelling, and hyperlocal content that reflects the unique character of each community it serves.
The portfolio includes wellestablished newspapers and specialty publications across Florida, Colorado, Missouri, Michigan, and California, such as Florida Weekly, Aspen Daily News, The Missourian, The St. Ignace News, Mackinac Island Town Crier, the Napa Valley Register, the St. Helena Star, The Telluride Times, The Norwood Post, Babcock Ranch Telegraph, Ave Maria Sun, and Florida Health Care News, among others.
Hoffmann Media Group continues to grow through strategic acquisitions that preserve local newsrooms, protect jobs, and ensure that independent, community-rooted journalism remains accessible and sustainable for future generations.
About Hoffmann Family of Companies:
Hoffmann Family of Companies is a multi-vertical, family-owned private equity firm consisting of over 125 global brands and employs more than 22,000 employees with businesses located in 30 countries and 400 locations around the world. Hoffmann Family of Companies’ verticals include Agriculture, Aviation & Transportation, Financial & Professional Services, Hospitality & Entertainment, Manufacturing, Marine, Media & Marketing and Real Estate. For more information, visit HFCompanies.com.
For More Information: [email protected]