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Former Aspen Daily News owners sued over alleged ‘secret’ buyout renegotiation
By Aspen Times
· June 30, 2026
· 5 min read
Greg Adler has filed a lawsuit against former Aspen Daily News owners David Cook and Spencer McKnight, alleging they secretly renegotiated payments owed to his son, Gabriel, under a 2024 buyout agreement while bypassing contractual notice requirements.
According to the lawsuit, the contractual...
Key takeaway 2026CV30101, was filed June 12 in Pitkin County District Court on Greg Adler’s behalf by Denver-based Garnett Powell Maximon Barlow & Farbes.
Why this matters in Aspen News
The lawsuit filed by Greg Adler against former Aspen Daily News owners David Cook and Spencer McKnight has significant implications for the local business community. As the county seat of Pitkin County, Aspen has a unique economic landscape, with a mix of small, family-owned businesses and larger corporations. The allegations of secret renegotiation and breach of contract raise questions about the integrity of business dealings in the community. The fact that Gabriel Adler inherited a significant ownership stake in Paperbag Media LLC, which owned the Aspen Daily News, highlights the complexities of family-owned businesses and the importance of clear contractual agreements. The outcome of this case will be closely watched by local business owners and residents, as it may set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future. The Pitkin County District Court's decision will have a direct impact on the local business community, particularly in regards to contract law and the rights of minority owners.
About this story
Original reporting by Aspen Times . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: Aspen Times ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Greg Adler has filed a lawsuit against former Aspen Daily News owners David Cook and Spencer McKnight, alleging they secretly renegotiated payments owed to his son, Gabriel, under a 2024 buyout agreement while bypassing contractual notice requirements.
According to the lawsuit, the contractual...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by Aspen Times and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Aspen Times. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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