Stephanie Daniel
Senior Managing Editor, ReporterThe “American Dream” was coined in 1931 and since then the phrase has inspired people to work hard and dream big. But is it achievable today? Graduating from college is challenging, jobs are changing, and health care and basic rights can be a luxury. I report on the barriers people face and overcome to succeed and create a better life for themselves and their families.
At KUNC, we cover northern Colorado’s diverse communities. For me, that means I get to report on an addiction treatment program on the Eastern Plains one day and a Denver DACA student pursuing his college dream the next. It’s the best part of my job.
I grew up in Colorado and, after living out-of-state for many years, am happy to be back. Before joining KUNC, I worked at New York Public Radio and on the podcasts Revisionist History and Empire on Blood. My reporting has been featured on NPR’s 1A, Latino USA and The Pulse. Prior to my journalism career, I wrote and produced commercials and marketing videos for television networks and media companies.
In 2018, I was selected to be an EWA Reporting Fellow by the Education Writers Association. During the fellowship, I reported and produced a multimedia series “Hire Me: Educating Colorado’s Changing Workforce” which was a finalist for the 2019 Education Writers Association National Awards
My reporting on the opioid epidemic was part of The Fix: Treating New York’s Opioid Crisis. The podcast won a national award from the Association for Health Care Journalists and a Regional Edward R. Murrow award. I have also won awards from the Associated Press, Colorado Broadcasters Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists
When I’m not working, I love going on adventures and have visited more than 20 countries. I also like to explore local areas, snowboard, ride my bike and hang out with my family and friends.
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Last ski season, a record number of skiers and snowboarders visited resorts in the Rocky Mountain region, including Colorado. The vast majority of them were white. There’s an effort in Summit County to make these snowsports more accessible to everyone, and it’s being led by a longtime resident who understands the immigrant experience. -
Rich historical accounts of Black life abound in many parts of the country. But in Colorado, there’s still a lot to learn about Black history. Today on In The NoCo, we hear from a curator at History Colorado who is working to uncover those stories. -
Colorado is placing a bigger focus on higher education with a new bi-partisan effort. State leaders hope that emphasis will help address worker shortages, especially in health care. We learn more today on In The NoCo. -
KUNC will deepen its engagement with communities across Northern Colorado this year by partnering with other public radio stations across the country through an initiative called America Amplified Election 2024. -
The University of Northern Colorado has a new initiative to reduce the financial burden of attending college. Starting next school year, the UNC Tuition Promise program will cover tuition and fees for full-time, in-state students from low-income households who also meet other requirements. -
Amid the ongoing battle for racial justice, MLK Day, celebrated on Monday, gives us a moment to see where we’re going and what we still need to do. Today on In The NoCo, we hear from former state lawmaker Wilma Webb, who fought for years to bring MLK Day to Colorado. -
The town of Breckenridge is building a new neighborhood for local workers. But with just 61 units for sale, only a small group of residents will end up with a home. Plus, Summit County is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service on a ‘first-of-its-kind' housing development that’s been 60 years in the making. -
Plans for thousands of new homes by 2040 may still leave some Steamboat residents feeling 'hopeless'Steamboat Springs nurse Sanaya Sturm wants to buy a home. She’s put in over a dozen offers but gets outbid by cash offers, or the house she wanted is converted into a short-term rental. Meanwhile, the local housing authority wants to build over 2,000 homes by 2040. Will this plan solve the housing crisis for her and thousands of other residents? -
Breckenridge is a little over five square miles. Despite its size, preserving the past is a priority for Breckenridge—the town has 249 Historic District structures and seven historical exhibits and museums. Preservation also is an important part of the town’s plan to curb the housing crisis, now and in the future. One initiative is called Housing Helps, which helped locals Anne and John Lowe buy their dream home. But the town's housing initiatives might not work for everyone. -
There is a housing crisis in Colorado’s mountain resort communities. It’s left longtime locals, like 29-year-old Summit County resident Javier Pineda Rosas, unable to find a stable living situation. A recent survey taken by county residents shows just how dire the situation has become. The county will need over 2,300 rental and for-sale units - at all price points - to meet the housing demand.