The Steamboat Pilot & Today is excited to announce the hiring of Julia Coccaro as the newspaper’s lead reporter.

Coccaro, 24, will primarily cover local government and housing beats in Northwest Colorado and a number of other topics and general assignment pieces.

“Our team is excited for Julia to join our newsroom where she will contribute to our local news coverage,” said Steamboat Pilot & Today Editor Trevor Ballantyne. “I know Julia is committed to journalism and has the reporter’s instinct and writing skills that are demanded of this job and are needed to serve our readers and our communities.”

Coccaro graduated with an M.S. Journalism degree from the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University in New York City in May 2024. The master’s degree was earned after she received an undergraduate degree in sociology from Barnard College, the women’s college of Columbia University, in 2023.

As a graduate journalism student at Columbia, Coccaro was named a Toni Stabile Fellow in Investigative Reporting and produced a wide variety of high-quality published and freelance work. She has also worked in politics, nonprofits and public relations.

“As the new lead reporter for the Pilot, I’m committed to continuing the paper’s legacy of excellence in local journalism,” said Coccaro. “I look forward to exploring the diverse issues and unique character of Northwest Colorado, and to fostering a strong connection with our readers through accurate, community-driven reporting.”

In addition to reporting for the Steamboat Pilot, Coccaro, who hails from a small town in southern Alabama, will also help boost coverage in Moffat County for the Craig Press.

Steamboat Pilot & Today and the Craig Press Publisher Bonnie Stewart, said she was “thrilled” over the hiring announcement.

“Julia has a great deal of journalism experience and knowledge and is a great addition to our news team,” said Stewart.

John Chalstrom, the editor of the Craig Press, echoed the team’s message:

“The staff at the Steamboat Pilot & Today, as well as the Craig Press, are pleased to have such an accomplished and talented reporter of Julia’s credentials join our staff. We look forward to providing insightful coverage from her lens,” said Chalstrom.