Above the Noise is Rocky Mountain Public Media’s statewide civic-dialogue series that brings Coloradans together—in person and online—to listen, reflect, and connect.
Through film, storytelling, and facilitated conversation, Above the Noise creates spaces where people can see one another as human, question assumptions, and explore what belonging means in our diverse state.
This initiative is part of RMPM’s broader Statewide Civic Engagement effort to strengthen trust, empathy, and participation across all 64 counties of Colorado.
Our Purpose
We believe civic engagement isn’t only about voting or policy; it’s about learning to understand one another and working toward shared solutions for the places we call home.
How It Works
Each Above the Noise event combines content and conversation:
- Screenings & Storytelling: Local and national public-media programs—documentaries, short features, and digital stories—serve as starting points for dialogue.
- Facilitated Conversations: Trained moderators and community ambassadors guide respectful, small-group discussions that invite multiple perspectives.
- Local Focus: Topics are chosen through listening sessions and community partnerships, ensuring every event reflects local realities, not just statewide headlines.
- Action & Reflection: Gathered insights are shared with participants, partners, and local newsrooms to keep the dialogue alive and inform future coverage and collaboration.
Why It Matters
- Rebuilding Trust: By connecting Coloradans face-to-face, Above the Noise helps restore confidence in local institutions and in one another.
- Centering Humanity: Participants practice listening across political, cultural, and generational divides.
- Strengthening Democracy: Dialogue becomes a form of civic participation—deepening understanding of local issues and shared responsibility.
- Reflecting Colorado: Events are intentionally designed to include rural, multilingual, youth, and historically excluded communities.
Our Purpose
We believe civic engagement isn’t only about voting or policy; it’s about learning to understand one another and working toward shared solutions for the places we call home.
Our Purpose
We believe civic engagement isn’t only about voting or policy; it’s about learning to understand one another and working toward shared solutions for the places we call home.
How It Works
Each Above the Noise event combines content and conversation:
- Screenings & Storytelling: Local and national public-media programs—documentaries, short features, and digital stories—serve as starting points for dialogue.
- Facilitated Conversations: Trained moderators and community ambassadors guide respectful, small-group discussions that invite multiple perspectives.
- Local Focus: Topics are chosen through listening sessions and community partnerships, ensuring every event reflects local realities, not just statewide headlines.
- Action & Reflection: Gathered insights are shared with participants, partners, and local newsrooms to keep the dialogue alive and inform future coverage and collaboration.
Why It Matters
- Rebuilding Trust: By connecting Coloradans face-to-face, Above the Noise helps restore confidence in local institutions and in one another.
- Centering Humanity: Participants practice listening across political, cultural, and generational divides.
- Strengthening Democracy: Dialogue becomes a form of civic participation—deepening understanding of local issues and shared responsibility.
- Reflecting Colorado: Events are intentionally designed to include rural, multilingual, youth, and historically excluded communities.
What's Next
In 2025–2026, Above the Noise 2.0 will expand statewide through regional gatherings co-created with local partners.
Each event will be a chance to explore how media and storytelling can spark empathy, elevate underheard voices, and inspire civic action.
Stay tuned for upcoming event announcements, highlights from past dialogues, and ways to host an Above the Noise conversation in your community.
How It Works
Each Above the Noise event combines content and conversation:
- Screenings & Storytelling: Local and national public-media programs—documentaries, short features, and digital stories—serve as starting points for dialogue.
- Facilitated Conversations: Trained moderators and community ambassadors guide respectful, small-group discussions that invite multiple perspectives.
- Local Focus: Topics are chosen through listening sessions and community partnerships, ensuring every event reflects local realities, not just statewide headlines.
- Action & Reflection: Gathered insights are shared with participants, partners, and local newsrooms to keep the dialogue alive and inform future coverage and collaboration.
Why It Matters
- Rebuilding Trust: By connecting Coloradans face-to-face, Above the Noise helps restore confidence in local institutions and in one another.
- Centering Humanity: Participants practice listening across political, cultural, and generational divides.
- Strengthening Democracy: Dialogue becomes a form of civic participation—deepening understanding of local issues and shared responsibility.
- Reflecting Colorado: Events are intentionally designed to include rural, multilingual, youth, and historically excluded communities.
What's Next
In 2025–2026, Above the Noise 2.0 will expand statewide through regional gatherings co-created with local partners.
Each event will be a chance to explore how media and storytelling can spark empathy, elevate underheard voices, and inspire civic action.
Stay tuned for upcoming event announcements, highlights from past dialogues, and ways to host an Above the Noise conversation in your community.
Get Involved
Want to bring Above the Noise to your town or organization?
Partner
Partner with RMPM to co-host a screening or conversation.
Volunteer
Volunteer as a community ambassador or facilitator.
Share
Share your story or topic ideas for future dialogues.
Contact us: CivicEngagement@rmpbs.org
Part of a Statewide Movement
Rocky Mountain Public Media’s Statewide Civic Engagement initiative creates a continuous listening framework—a statewide civic infrastructure where residents don’t just consume stories, they shape them.
Community gatherings and film-based dialogues that help Coloradans listen, reflect, and connect across difference.
Brings together individuals and organizations who are already trusted connectors in their communities.
First-person stories from Coloradans, shared with the Colorado Ethnic Media Exchange and translated into Spanish and Mandarin.
Our Purpose
We believe civic engagement isn’t only about voting or policy; it’s about learning to understand one another and working toward shared solutions for the places we call home.
Our Purpose
We believe civic engagement isn’t only about voting or policy; it’s about learning to understand one another and working toward shared solutions for the places we call home.
How It Works
Each Above the Noise event combines content and conversation:
- Screenings & Storytelling: Local and national public-media programs—documentaries, short features, and digital stories—serve as starting points for dialogue.
- Facilitated Conversations: Trained moderators and community ambassadors guide respectful, small-group discussions that invite multiple perspectives.
- Local Focus: Topics are chosen through listening sessions and community partnerships, ensuring every event reflects local realities, not just statewide headlines.
- Action & Reflection: Gathered insights are shared with participants, partners, and local newsrooms to keep the dialogue alive and inform future coverage and collaboration.
Why It Matters
- Rebuilding Trust: By connecting Coloradans face-to-face, Above the Noise helps restore confidence in local institutions and in one another.
- Centering Humanity: Participants practice listening across political, cultural, and generational divides.
- Strengthening Democracy: Dialogue becomes a form of civic participation—deepening understanding of local issues and shared responsibility.
- Reflecting Colorado: Events are intentionally designed to include rural, multilingual, youth, and historically excluded communities.
Why It Matters
- Rebuilding Trust: By connecting Coloradans face-to-face, Above the Noise helps restore confidence in local institutions and in one another.
- Centering Humanity: Participants practice listening across political, cultural, and generational divides.
- Strengthening Democracy: Dialogue becomes a form of civic participation—deepening understanding of local issues and shared responsibility.
- Reflecting Colorado: Events are intentionally designed to include rural, multilingual, youth, and historically excluded communities.
Ambassador64 Project
Rocky Mountain Public Media’s Ambassador64 is a movement to make friends in all 64 counties across Colorado so we can co-create a Colorado where everyone feels seen and heard through the people’s public media. Ambassador64 is made up of individuals and organizations who see value in providing voice, making connections, and building reciprocal lines of communication and activation between their communities and Rocky Mountain Public Media and local newsrooms in your area.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide ongoing feedback to and from community and RMPM and local newsrooms in your area.
Assist in coordination of community listening sessions
Attend two annual events (one virtual/ one in-person) with all ambassadors to share big picture learnings
Qualifications:
Individuals or organizations in every county that are trusted community connectors
Ambassador Locations
April 2024
April 2025
Partner with Us!
Above the Noise is poised to have long-lasting impact in shaping a healthier media ecosystem for Colorado.
We would be honored to explore ways of partnering to support this critical initiative to support strong local public interest journalism, news literacy, and engaged Colorado communities for generations to come.