Julia Coccaro is the lead reporter at the Steamboat Pilot & Today, covering government, housing and education. She grew up in a small town in southern Alabama before moving to New York City to earn her B.A. in sociology from Barnard College in 2023 and her M.S. in journalism from Columbia University in 2024. She has been published in MovieMaker Magazine and Columbia News Service and was awarded a grant in June 2024 by the Fund for Investigative Journalism to investigate Alabama Power Company. In addition to her journalism experience, she has worked in politics, nonprofits, and girls’ leadership institutes, and has copy edited an astrophysics textbook, neuroscience journal and the American Master Chefs’ Exam.
Julia was drawn to journalism by her belief in the importance of truth and the power of knowledge. She is particularly passionate about investigative journalism’s ability to spark change and hold powerful entities accountable. Her move to the Yampa Valley was inspired by its breathtaking hiking trails, her love of the mountains and her longtime dream to live in the West. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, reading and playing piano. She is a proud mom to two black cats named Oliver and Sebastian.
Steamboat Springs can likely support a limited amount of new housing on its west side under current municipal service capacity, but city staff warn that water — along with streets and long-term infrastructure needs —...
As she prepares to step away from a career in public education, Steamboat Springs School District Superintendent Celine Wicks leaves behind a tenure defined by collaboration, growth and navigating some of the most challenging years...
Gary Gula, a finalist candidate for Oak Creek fire chief, has officially accepted a formal offer and will begin working in the position by July 1, Oak Creek Fire Protection District Vice President Skyler McKinley...
The Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority held its inaugural retreat Saturday, bringing together leaders across the region to get down to brass tacks on critical steps needed in the coming months to ultimately launch regional...
William Gallagher says his life has been shaped by people who opened doors for him, and now he wants to do the same for students at North Routt Community Charter School. The new head of...
The Hayden School District has recommended compensation increases for teachers and staff as part of its preliminary 2026-27 budget, continuing a multi-year effort to improve pay amid rising living costs in the Yampa Valley. The...
The Steamboat Springs School District and the Steamboat Springs Education Association have reached a tentative agreement that advances compensation and workplace protections for educators, while highlighting ongoing concerns about funding and staff retention. The agreement,...
A group of local parents are advocating to the Steamboat Springs School District for the mitigation of screen time for young students, citing concerns with the negative impacts of technology use on children still in...
The Steamboat Springs City Council signaled broad support Tuesday for Routt County’s early childhood education initiative, but organizers said they are now looking at a longer public education campaign before bringing any funding measure to...
The town of Oak Creek is seeking a municipal judge after their former judge, Jessica Ryan, resigned last month, according to Town Administrator Louis Fineberg. The position — pursuant to C.R.S. 13-101-105 — begins with...