About high five

It is our belief that community access media helps to build an informed and civically-engaged community, creating a ripple effect across ages, genders, race, political views, economic status and professions. From students who learn skills that develop into a passion or even a career, to community members who tune into government meetings from the comfort of their home and still be informed of local affairs, the diversity and breadth of our programs allows for High Five Access Media to engage with the entire Vail Valley.

High Five Access Media is a nimble organization that can stay at the forefront of community needs and technological development. We know that regardless of how technology changes, our community needs a reliable source of information and a timely and cost-effective platform to produce media. We will continue to stay steadfastly committed to our mission with a vision for the future of expanding our programs specific to media education and production.

1970s

Public access television sprouted in Vail during the 1970s, when tenacious residents began a quest to push local officials and the cable company to create a channel on cable television for locals to express their ideas, and talk about issues important to the community.

1980s

Vail Valley Community Television (now High Five Access Media) began cablecasting on Channel 5 in 1983 from a studio in the old Town of Vail public works shop. With a couple 3/4-inch studio cameras, a field camera and some editing equipment, several residents hopped on board the electronic soapbox and public access television was born in Vail.

The station offered the first opportunity for average citizens to produce their own television programs, while the cable channel ensured they could effectively communicate with the community.

Our first program was News Vail, an hour-long, weekly show that offered insight into issues affecting the valley. The station provided video training for dozens of locals, who pitched in to produce the program. Many of these community producers went on to careers in media.

In 1985, Vail Valley Community Television was incorporated as a nonprofit organization.

Over the years, Channel 5 has offered video production workshops, whose participants, along with staff, went on to create several local-centric programs, including Reading of the Vail Daily with Josh Hall, Altitude Sickness and Mountain Valley Magazine.

1990s

In the ‘90s, Vail Valley Community Television began its coverage of Vail Town Council meetings, an effort that has grown to include the Town of Avon and several other government entities.

2000s and beyond

Today, High Five Access Media is a nimble organization evolving to meet the needs of the greater community. By including internet distribution and constantly evolving media production efforts and education, the organization is at the forefront of local media, serving a role in our community that would not be filled otherwise.