June 29, 2008 3:36 PM

Letter writer bashes Pridefest coverage

We published a letter in our Talk Back to the Media letters package Saturday that rebuked the Rocky for its Pridefest coverage. The writer claimed he had to "dig" to find anything about the event. We give broad lattitude to letter writers to make their point, even when we know that an assertion may be a stretch. After all, it is what the writer feels. But in this case, before making their own judgment, readers should at least know the facts.

The letter writer says, "PrideFest coverage gets pushed to the back and is extremely short and spotty every year."

Look, I can understand any reader having a different view of what belongs on the front page or how much coverage an event or subject deserves. But this writer isn't accurately reflecting coverage in recent years. Here's a quick overview of our coverage.

2008

On the Monday after the event, the Rocky dedicated all of page 7, with two photos, a story and a link to a slide show online of the parade and festival.

On Saturday, the day the event began, we ran a short story on page 10 with a map of the parade route. (Remember, we don't publish the Sunday paper, so we're unable to provide coverage that day.)

On Friday, on page 2 of Weekend Spotlight we ran an item about Pridefest as one of the things to do in our weekend round-up.

By the way, the event was also featured in our annual Summer Escapes section guide to festivals in Colorado, along with Greek Fest and the People's Fair.

2007

On the Monday after the event, Pridefest was the main feature, or centerpiece, on the front page. It was also the main headline, or largest headline, on the front page. We ran three pictures on page 1. The event also got a full page of coverage on page 8.

The front page headline was: PORTRAITS OF PRIDE
Tens of thousands gather for Denver's 32nd Pride Fest.

Here are the captions for the photos.

Caption: John Kidd, left, and his partner of 13 years, Dwight Davidson, both of Denver, pose during the PrideFest at Civic Center on Sunday. Organizers said the gathering is one of the top 10 gay pride events in the U.S. PHOTOS BY JAVIER MANZANO / ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS
CAPTION: Cain Sandoval, 4, is embraced by his mother, Vivian Sandoval, 31, left, and her girlfriend of three years, Mary Hilliard, 45. The women plan to move in together soon.
CAPTION: Raeann Archuleta, 22, left, and her partner of two months, Veronica Valdez, 25, both of Pueblo, embrace at Sunday's event.

Again, we did an advance in the Saturday paper, telling readers about the event, and we included it on page 2 of Weekend Spotlight, along with the Greek Festival.

2006

On the Monday after the event, we ran a front-page headline and gave the event a full page inside the paper.

2005

On the Monday after the event, we gave the event a full page inside the paper.

On the Saturday it began we ran a lengthy feature on what the event meant to a local woman, along with a box telling people how to attend.

I could go on.

The letter writer might feel that we don't give enough coverage to the event. But that's a matter of opinion. As a matter of fact, I think it's pretty obvious that the event hasn't been buried in the Rocky.

Every day we make judgments about news. This year weekend shootings shocked the city and with the Democratic National Convention coming up, that violence seemed a more pressing issue than marking an annual festival.

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