I appreciate the work Summit Daily does to keep our community informed, but I am writing with a concern: balance. Local readers deserve news that represents a full spectrum of perspectives.

In reviewing recent coverage, a pattern emerges. Of roughly a dozen policy or politics pieces from this year, about half leaned progressive in framing, a handful were neutral, and almost none leaned conservative. Stories about immigration, public lands, and health care often centered on the harms of enforcement or budget cuts, with little space given to the rationale behind those policies. At the same time, we have seen multiple sit-downs with Sen. Michael Bennet, but no comparable features on conservative candidates. That imbalance is hard to miss.

The tone of many articles is professional, yet the choice of topics and whose voices are foregrounded matters as much as the words on the page. When harm is emphasized without equal exploration of intended benefits, readers are left with a skewed view. Letters to the editor frequently raise this concern, suggesting the perception of bias is shared by more than one reader.

Summit County is diverse in thought. Some residents value strong environmental regulation, while others prioritize economic growth or enforcement of federal law. Both deserve to see their perspectives reflected fairly.

Constructive suggestions:

• Actively seek interviews with conservative candidates and local leaders, not just Democratic figures.
• When covering contentious issues, make sure both the intended goals and the potential harms of a policy are presented.
• Consider tracking and publishing an annual “sources audit” to show how often different perspectives are included.

Summit Daily is uniquely positioned to set the standard for balanced civic dialogue, and I urge the paper to demonstrate to readers that they take this responsibility seriously.