Steven Pope, president and publisher of the (Colorado Springs) Gazette, on Tuesday announced he would step down July 22 to become chief operating officer at Huckle Media in Michigan.
Gazette owner Freedom Communications said Mike Burns, vice president of sales and market development, will serve as interim publisher until a replacement is found.
“I’ve spent a lot of time in Colorado Springs and have nothing but respect for the leadership team and what they’ve accomplished,” Burns said in a statement. “My goal is to turn over to a permanent successor an organization that is continuing to grow and demonstrate its vitality.”
Pope took over as the Gazette’s publisher in early 2009. He previously was publisher of the Vail Daily and general manager of Colorado Mountain News Media.
Freedom, based in Irvine, Calif., has owned the Gazette for 65 years. It also owns the Orange County Register and 25 other daily newspapers.
Freedom’s board in March began seeking bidders for the company.
The Denver Post
