DENVER — The Denver Press Club opposes the merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna, as it poses a direct threat to local journalism, jobs, and the diversity of voices serving our communities.
Founded in 1867, the Denver Press Club exists to support and strengthen the journalism community in Colorado. This merger will bring a significant shift in local media ownership, one that stands to affect not only the journalists working today, but the future of reporting in our state.
The impact will be tangible. Denver is among the markets most affected by this consolidation. News operations at two major local television stations, KUSA and KDVR, have come under common ownership. If not reversed by the courts, the acquisition will expand Nexstar’s presence to cover 80% of TV households nationwide.
Consolidation could result in the loss of dozens of newsroom jobs in the Denver area alone.
This merger also raises serious questions about media concentration and the long-term health of local news. A strong, independent press depends on competition, editorial independence, and a range of perspectives. Consolidation at this scale risks diminishing those values at a time when public trust in media and access to reliable information are already under strain.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has joined a coalition of state attorneys general seeking to halt the merger, citing concerns about its impact on competition and consumers. We support efforts to ensure that media ownership decisions are made with transparency and with the public interest at the forefront.
The Denver Press Club urges federal regulators and lawmakers to examine the consequences of this merger and to uphold policies that protect competition, local ownership, and the long-term sustainability of journalism.
The Denver Press Club believes public input is a critical part of ensuring that decisions about media ownership reflect the needs of the communities they serve.
Local journalism plays a critical role in all of our lives, and decisions that affect its future should not be taken lightly.
This statement is issued on behalf of the 2026–2027 Board of Directors of the Denver Press Club.
UPDATE — March 27, 2026: A federal judge in California has issued a temporary restraining order pausing the acquisition, blocking Nexstar from combining stations or terminating employees for the next 14 days. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. The Denver Press Club welcomes this development and continues to support efforts to protect local journalism in Colorado.
