As the new owners and operators of this newspaper, we want to give you an opportunity to hear directly from us and learn about our plans.

With an eye toward retirement, grandkids and new adventures, Ann and Jerry Healey sold their collection of 24 community newspapers — Colorado Community Media — to the newly formed Colorado News Conservancy. The Conservancy is a partnership between the National Trust for Local News and The Colorado Sun, a local digital news organization that some of you may already know.

We were aided by a network of Colorado organizations who share our commitment to keeping newspapers in local hands and to ensuring that you continue to benefit from the unique, hyperlocal coverage that you have come to expect from this newspaper and the others in the CCM family. One of the Colorado Community Media newspapers has been serving its community for more than 150 years, and others have decades of history. We feel a deep responsibility to continue that legacy and ensure your paper is still providing quality news and information for decades to come, as well as bringing the businesses that provide the core financial support for these publications together with readers in the local communities they serve.

So what will change, and what won’t? We’ve already heard those questions from readers and local business owners who feel strong ties to the reporters, editors, sales staff and others who bring the news to you.

For starters, we are seeking to fill the big shoes of Jerry Healey in the role of publisher. We are looking for someone who is as passionate about community and local service as Jerry has been. We are so grateful that he agreed to stay on in May to help ensure we have a smooth transition.

We do not plan the staff cutbacks, cost-cutting or layoffs that have become far too common in the news business these days. In fact, we are looking to bolster the fine work already being done to serve you, the readers and supporters of this paper. Our job is to keep your local media strong and growing.

The Colorado Community Media name will stay the same, as will the name of the newspaper you know and trust. The same goes for the phone numbers, email addresses and the website of your paper. You can reach out to the hard-working people here at the paper in the same ways you always have.

We purchased Colorado Community Media because we are committed to serving our readers, our local businesses and our communities and to sustaining the important community role played by these papers.

We want to thank Ann and Jerry once again for their hard work and dedication over the years to providing community media to your town and others.

We promise them — and you — that we will work hard to serve you and make you proud.