After four years of dedicated service, Amy Gillentine, the publisher of Sixty35 Media in Colorado Springs, has announced her resignation, effective February 6th, as she ventures towards new opportunities. With over 17 years of experience in local media, Gillentine’s journey began with the Colorado Springs Business Journal and later expanded to Colorado Publishing House, which acquired the Business Journal and its subsidiaries in 2012. Progressing through various roles, she assumed the position of editor in 2015, executive editor in 2017, and eventually became the publisher in 2018. Her responsibilities further expanded to include the Colorado Springs Independent in 2019.
During her tenure, Gillentine oversaw significant transformations within the company, culminating in its rebranding as Sixty35 Media and transition to a nonprofit organization last fall. One of her notable achievements was the integration of the company’s weekly publications – Independent, Business Journal, Southeast Express, Pikes Peak Bulletin, and Rocky Mountain Military Newspaper Group – into a single entity, the Sixty35 news magazine, which was launched in January.
Reflecting on her time at Sixty35, Gillentine expressed pride in the dedicated team of journalists, designers, and advertising executives who collaborated on the comprehensive rebranding effort. Despite her departure, she emphasized the company’s unwavering commitment to independent, local journalism.
Ahriana Platten, president of the Sixty35 Media board, commended Gillentine’s contributions and the positive impact she made on both the company and the community. Platten acknowledged Gillentine’s instrumental role in shaping Sixty35 Media and launching its promising new product with a modern online presence. While expressing well wishes for Gillentine’s future endeavors, Platten affirmed the board’s commitment to advancing the company’s mission.
In the interim, Platten and Ralph Routon, a seasoned local journalist and former executive editor of multiple publications under Sixty35 Media, including the Independent and Business Journal, have been appointed as interim co-publishers. Additionally, the Sixty35 Media board has initiated a national search to find Gillentine’s successor.