Bill Husted has applied for Denver Post buyout, but not sure yet if paper will make deal

Earlier this month, we reported about a buyout offer from the Denver Post, with employees being told that if fifteen to twenty of them didn't take the deal, layoffs could follow. We've now confirmed that one of the paper's most prominent names -- columnist Bill Husted, 63 -- has applied...

By Michael Roberts

October 27, 2011

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Earlier this month, we reported about a buyout offer from the Denver Post, with employees being told that if fifteen to twenty of them didn't take the deal, layoffs could follow.

We've now confirmed that one of the paper's most prominent names -- columnist Bill Husted, 63 -- has applied for a buyout. But he won't know for a while if the offer will be accepted.

Why not? The Post doesn't want personnel from an entire department to leave, potentially crippling coverage in that area. As a result, the paper is looking for a certain number of employees from different editorial areas -- and if too many from one want to split, supervisors have reserved the right to pick and choose which requests to take.

Employees have until November 21 to submit an application for the buyout; those who do get a seven-day period during which they can change their mind. So it may be a month or so before Husted, who's spent fifteen years at the Post, and other applicants learn if they'll be staying or going.

We don't know how many others have applied thus far. But given the current state of the print journalism industry, most newsroom observers believe this will be the last buyout deal they'll have to consider. After that, layoffs will be the first option.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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