Megan Verlee is an editor with Colorado Public Radio. She joined CPR in 2008 and has worked as a general assignment reporter and legislative reporter.
Professional background:
Megan Verlee joined Colorado Public Radio in the spring of 2008, just in time to report on Colorado’s important role in the presidential election. As the station’s general assignment reporter she covered everything from conservation programs on the eastern plains to natural gas development on the Western Slope.
Before coming to CPR, Megan spent several years reporting for public radio station WHQR in Wilmington, North Carolina. She got her professional start at NPR, editing and producing for “Morning Edition” and “Talk of the Nation.” Her work has appeared on numerous national radio programs and in several magazines.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in sociology, Columbia University.
Awards:
Since joining CPR, Megan has won a number of awards, including first place from the Colorado Broadcasters Association for the “Biography of a Bill” series and a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Use of Sound in the 2012 “Getting Hands on at Colorado Gators.” She also received an award from the Associated Press for use of sound in a story about people raising livestock in urban areas.
In 2013, Megan’s story about Fairplay’s world championship pack burro racing took home a PRNDI Award for Best Nationally Edited Soft Feature, and she also participated in the State Integrity Investigation, which won a 2013 national Edward R. Murrow Award for Network Radio Investigative Reporting.
Prior to joining CPR, Megan received six regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for her work at WHQR in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Q & A
Why did you become a journalist? I took my first radio class freshman year of high school and was hooked. For one assignment I had to interview other students about their experiences with the school. We had just been through Rodney King and O.J. Simpson, and in my angry, highly divided urban school, students of different races did not talk to each other. But when I had a microphone in my hand, everyone would talk to me. In two weeks of interviews I learned things about life in my school I never would have otherwise. I knew then I always wanted to have that power to ask questions, and the privilege to hear people’s answers.
How did you get into radio?
It’s always been radio for me. I’ve done some magazine work in recent years for the fun of it, but really, I’m crazy about sound; it engages your imagination in ways I don’t think either print or video can.
How did you end up at CPR?
Both my parents are from Colorado and so even though I was raised in California, I’ve long thought of the state as home. Reporting’s what I’ve always wanted to do and Colorado’s where I’ve always wanted to live. It just took a while for the job and the geography to align.
The spate of coyote-on-human attacks that hit the Denver region earlier this year seems to have abated in recent weeks, but the coyotes themselves haven’t gone anywhere.
The drop in the housing market is stressing property owners around the state.But groups that buy land for open space and affordable housing are finding an upside to the down
If federal climate change legislation becomes law, farmers and ranchers might not just make their livings from what their land produces, but also for what it doesn’t.
In honor of summer, KCFR has a week of stories about some of Colorado’s most unusual roadside attractions.KCFR’s Megan Verlee recently stopped by the Kit Carson County Carousel, where she
All this week we’re visiting some of Colorado’s unique, and occasionally off-beat roadside attractions.Today, KCFR’s Megan Verlee pauses outside the east Colorado town of Genoa to take in the view.
Shops selling medical marijuana have boomed around the state in the past few months.Now towns are racing to regulate and advocates are trying to adapt.KCFR’s Megan Verlee reports.
Democrats in Congress have introduced a number of bills this year aimed at overturning policies set up the Bush administration.Among them is a piece of legislation which could significantly change
Democrats in Congress have introduced a number of bills this year aimed at overturning policies set up the Bush administration.Among them is a piece of legislation which could significantly change
Utilities say they need a new transmission line in southern Colorado to make renewable energy possible. Residents fear it will destroy the landscape they love.
Utilities say they need a new transmission line in southern Colorado to make renewable energy possible. Residents fear it will destroy the landscape they love.
The 2010 election is almost a year off, but one group is already trying to build support for a measure making it harder to amend the state constitution.CPR’s Megan Verlee
2010 could see some major changes for the booming medical marijuana sector.While officials work on regulations at the state and local level, those who like the system the way it
2010 could see some major changes for the booming medical marijuana sector.While officials work on regulations at the state and local level, those who like the system the way it
Eight tax bills have almost finished their progress through the legislature.Both sides have argued long hours over whether the money raised will be worth the potential impact on businesses.CPR’s Megan