Best Practices // Policies and Standards
Mission Statement
The Denver Post is committed to the highest ethical standards. Fairness and accuracy are among our core values. But nothing stands above the need to maintain our integrity. The public鈥檚 trust 鈥� our most important asset 鈥� depends on it.
The Denver Post抖阴ap ethics policy covers fairness and accuracy in reporting; use of unidentified sources; quotations and attribution; bylines, datelines and credit lines; meals, tickets and travel; and gifts and sample products.
The ethics policy also addresses credibility and conflicts of interest. Staff members should avoid online and real-world activities that could conflict with their jobs. The policy covers financial holdings; freelancing; use of company property while freelancing; radio and television; honorariums; connections; and relationships.
To read our full editorial ethics policy please click here.
The Denver Post expects the information in its pages to be accurately attributed. Anonymous sources are a last resort, but some stories cannot be told without allowing sources to go unnamed. When editors are convinced sources will not be forthcoming without anonymity, we will agree to withhold the person鈥檚 name.
In deciding whether to grant anonymity, we weigh the newsworthiness of the story against our standard of named sources. Most often, sources seek anonymity because they fear some type of retribution. That fear prevents them from speaking frankly and illuminating an issue we are covering. Failing to use the anonymous source means a story can lack important context or may even be inaccurate because the source does not feel free to be candid.
We know that our readers are often skeptical of anonymous sources, wondering whether they are credible or what may motivate them.
We worry about that, too, which is why we have a process in place to vet sources before they appear in an article.
When a source requests anonymity, the reporter first seeks to change the person鈥檚 mind. Reporters will then try to find other sources willing to be named. If that approach fails, an editor becomes involved. Typically, the editor of the newspaper decides whether to grant anonymity. If the editor is unavailable, a senior editor may make the decision.
Both the reporter and the deciding editor must know the name of the source and the reason the source does not want to be named. The source must have direct knowledge of the situation. In most cases, information from an anonymous source must be confirmed by another person with independent knowledge.
Stories should explain why the source requested and was granted anonymity.
The Denver Post relies on wire services 鈥� The Associated Press and the Washington Post 鈥� for national and international coverage. Both of those newsgathering institutions have their own policies for anonymous sources.
The Associated Press policy is here:
The Denver Post commits to do its best to publish accurate information across all of its content. We take many steps to ensure accuracy:
We investigate claims with skepticism; question assumptions; challenge conventional wisdom; confirm information with subject-matter experts; and seek to corroborate what sources tell us by talking with other informed people or consulting documents. We verify content, such as technical terms and statistics, against source documents or make clear who is providing the information. We may share relevant components of a story with a primary source or an outside expert to verify them.
We stand by the information as accurate, and if it抖阴ap not, we will change it as quickly as possible and be transparent with our readers about the magnitude of the error.
We welcome feedback from our readers and sources regarding the information that we publish. If you would like to reach our editors regarding coverage, you can find their contact information on our Contact Us page.
The Denver Post promptly corrects all significant errors that are brought to the attention of the editors.
Updating digital stories
Stories posted online will be fixed immediately after an error has been found. This includes fixes of minor errors such as misspellings. As a story develops, we do not note updates unless there is a particular reason to note the addition of new information or other change. Each story includes the timestamp of original publication and the timestamp when it was last updated. A story鈥檚 timestamp will signal to readers that they are reading a developing story.
Stories that contain a material error 鈥� an error that would significantly affect a reader鈥檚 understanding of a story 鈥� will have a correction appended as soon as the correction is approved by editors.
Corrections & clarifications
The Denver Post strives to have accurate information. Errors will be corrected and noted in the online article as well as in the newspaper, if applicable.
To submit a correction to a story in print or online, contact the reporter, appropriate editor or let us know at dpo@denverpost.com or newsroom@denverpost.com. Let us know what needs to be corrected, where the error was found (which page/section of the newspaper and/or the link to the story) and any other additional relevant information.
Legal demands for corrections must be in writing and sent to Editor Lee Ann Colacioppo at 5990 Washington Street, Denver, Colorado, 80216.
鈥淯npublishing鈥� stories
The Denver Post generally does not 鈥渦npublish鈥� content or remove details such as names from our websites and archives. On a case-by-case basis, a committee of senior newsroom leadership will review individual requests to remove, redact or de-index published content, considering whether circumstances have changed since publication. Email dpo@denverpost.com with a link to the story and reason for the request.
Bylines, datelines and credit lines should accurately convey to readers the source of reporting. All stories should have a byline and contact information for the writer so readers know who to contact if there is an error or issue.
In multiple bylines, the first name generally should be that of the reporter who wrote the article, or if different, of the largest contributor. Any reporter who contributed substantively to a story should be included in the byline. Contributor lines should be reserved for those who provided small slices of reporting, such as a single quote or two, for a story.
We should treat material from colleagues at partner newspapers just as the work of our individual newspaper鈥檚 staff. When a reporter writes an article based in part on wire service reports and in part on the reporter鈥檚 own work, the article should carry the reporter鈥檚 byline and a credit to the wire service in a tagline. If the reporter independently reports the facts of the story, the byline can stand alone. If the reporter simply inserts some local material, the byline should be the originating source with a reporter鈥檚 credit at the end.
When adding a wire-service quote to a story, particularly if it is exclusive information or an anonymous quote, indicate the source: 鈥淏ush is going to run for re-election,鈥� a senior administration official told the Washington Post.
Non-staff bylines
On some pages you will see bylines from news agencies rather than our staff. We trust news agencies to help us cover the world as fully as possible and to adhere to the highest journalistic standards.
The Associated Press. AP is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative, serving member newspapers and broadcasters in the U.S., and other customers around the world. The Denver Post is one of them. AP journalists in more than 100 countries tell the world鈥檚 stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting to visual storytelling. Since 1846, AP has been covering the world鈥檚 biggest news events, committed to the highest standards of objective, accurate journalism. Learn more about policies and standards in .
No bylines
We have a 鈥渘o byline鈥� policy on editorials written by our Editorial Board. The editorial board and opinion section staff are independent of the news-gathering side of our organization. Through our staff-written editorials, we take positions on important issues affecting our readership. The editorials are unsigned because, while written by one or more members of our staff, they represent the point of view of our news organization鈥檚 management. In order to take informed positions, we meet frequently with government, community and business leaders on important issues affecting our cities, region and state. During elections, we meet with candidates for office and the proponents and opponents of ballot initiatives and then make recommendations to voters. Read more about who is on our Editorial Board here.
The Denver Post is committed to creating a newsroom that reflects our community, in the makeup of our staff and in our website and newspaper.
We aspire to be a workplace where people of all backgrounds are supported in their careers and feel welcome in our newsroom. We want a newsroom committed to writing for and about聽people from all communities and committed to giving stories grounded in underrepresented communities the resources and prominence they deserve.
We hope to build on our newsroom鈥檚 commitment to these values and resolve to seek out diverse viewpoints in both our news stories and opinion pages.
Newsroom Commitments
Here are a few steps the newsroom will take to create lasting and sustainable structures, practices and policies that support a commitment to diversity.
- 聽Building a culture of inclusivity by training journalists to diversify their source lists, listen to the communities that are underrepresented in our coverage and pitch聽 stories that combat racial stereotypes. Editors will hold the newsroom accountable in achieving these goals.
- Creating opportunities for Denver Post reporters to host and attend events where they seek diverse opinions and feedback on coverage. The sole purpose of these events will be to reach and establish trust with underrepresented communities to reshape our reporting to better reflect Colorado鈥檚 communities. Our work here will begin in 2021.
- Strengthening our relationships with organizations such as the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), National Arab American Journalists Association (NAAJA), National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) and the Trans Journalists Association (TJA), etc. and bettering our relationships with local universities to create a more organic pipeline for the hiring and recruitment of journalists of color.
- Actively ensuring our recruitment practices reach candidates in underrepresented communities so our candidate pools for jobs and internships include those groups.
- Developing and maintaining a formal newsroom mentorship program, led by newsroom staff, for new hires and interns to foster a more welcoming environment.
- Integrating language recommended by organizations such as NABJ, NAHJ, NAAJA, AAJA, NLGJA and TJA in our coverage, ensuring we are not inadvertently using harmful language when reporting on communities of color. This should open the door for discussion in our newsroom about language we currently use and how we can establish better terminology.
- Holding ourselves and our organization accountable by reviewing the diversity of our content and staff.
If you are wondering what job opportunities are available, please .
82% White, 3% Asian, 3% Hispanic, 1% American Indian, 1% Middle Eastern
We value our readers. You are the ones we seek to serve every day with news and information that matters to you. Your feedback helps us understand what is most important to the people of Colorado. It is also often how we learn of errors of both commission and omission. You make us better and we want to hear from you.
There are several ways you can reach us.
Our staff contact information can be found on our contact page. In general, our email addresses are our first initial, last name @denverpost.com
Tips and corrections can be submitted to staff members or at newsroom@denverpost.com. There is also a tip form at /news-tips/ and a corrections form at /report-an-error/
If you鈥檇 like share your thoughts with the public, you can do so by writing a letter to the editor using this link /submit-letter/ or submitting a guest column on a local issue to columns@denverpost.com.
At the bottom of most articles, we provide a space for community reactions and discussion of the topics covered. We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community.
Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. Our commenting ground rules can be found here.
Denver Post Executives
*Lee Ann Colacioppo, Editor 鈥� 303-954-1754. Lee Ann Colacioppo joined The Denver Post in 1999, becoming editor in 2016. She is ultimately responsible for the news coverage that appears both online and in print. Her background includes work as a city desk reporter, business reporter, business editor, city editor, investigations editor and news director. She is a member of the editorial board and the Denver Post Community Foundation board. She previously worked at The Des Moines Register, Greenville, S.C. News and Kingsport Tenn. Times-News. She is a graduate of Drake University.
*Justin Mock, Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer 鈥� 303-954-5007. Justin Mock has been in this position since 2017.聽 He has been with 抖阴ap since 2006.
Christine Moser, Vice President of Advertising Sales/Operations 鈥� 303-954-1133.聽 Christine Moser oversees ad sales and operations for The Denver Post. She has been in advertising at The Post for more than 10 years. Prior to joining The Post, Moser was the publisher of dailies and weeklies in Colorado and Minnesota.
*Bob Kinney, Vice President, Information Technology — 303-954-1941. Bob Kinney has spent 34 years in the industry in operations, IT and newsrooms.
News Executives/Department Heads
*Lee Ann Colacioppo, editor 鈥� 303-954-1754. See details above.
*Megan Schrader, editor of the editorial/opinion pages 鈥� 303-954-2567. Megan Schrader oversees the content of The Denver Post抖阴ap opinion pages, including editorials, guest columns and letters to the editor. She grew up in Grand Junction, graduated from the University of Missouri and was previously a reporter for The Gazette in Colorado Springs, The Oklahoman, The Gainesville Sun and The Kansas City Star (intern). She lives in Denver with her husband and two children.
Matt Sebastian, managing editor 鈥� 303-954-1241. Matt Sebastian is the No. 2 manager in the newsroom and also oversees coverage that includes but is not limited to education, health and the environment. Breaking news and criminal justice reporters ultimately report to him. He joined the newspaper’s staff in 2018 after a 20-year career as an editor and reporter at the Daily Camera in Boulder. He also has worked as a journalist at papers in Utah and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Jon Murray, senior editor/public affairs. Jon Murray is the senior editor for public affairs, leading a team of reporters who cover local and state government and big public policy issues. Jon grew up in Colorado and joined The Post in 2014 after a decade at The Indianapolis Star, where he was a reporter in stints covering city hall, the legal system, education and military affairs. He graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and history.
Donovan Henderson, senior editor/production and business editor 鈥� 303-954-1984. Donovan Henderson oversees all business coverage and production of The Post抖阴ap print product. He has been a reporter, photographer, page designer and copy editor during his 25-year journalism career, working in newsrooms in Sterling, Greeley and Fort Collins, with a stint in Corpus Christi, Texas, before joining The Post in May 2018.
Nate Peterson, sports editor. Nate Peterson joined The Denver Post in 2026. After growing up in Colorado, immersed in the state鈥檚 teams and athletes, he spent eight years at CBSSports.com, including three overseeing NFL coverage, and has also been a freelancer for The New York Times covering World Cup skiing, snowboarding, Lance Armstrong and college football.
Patrick Traylor, senior editor/photography and multimedia 鈥� 303-954-1014. Patrick Traylor is Senior Editor for Photography and Multimedia at The Denver Post, a position he has held since 2018. Patrick joined the Post in 2012, after earning his master’s degree in photojournalism from Ohio University’s School of Visual Communication in Athens, Ohio.
Jonathan Shikes, senior editor/entertainment and features. Jonathan Shikes is a Denver native with 25 years of experience at newspapers, magazines and websites. He joined The Denver Post in May 2022 after previously working at Westword. Jonathan is also the author of “Denver Beer: A History of Mile High Brewing.”
Beth Rankin, director of audience. Beth Rankin oversees The Post’s online footprint, including DenverPost.com, The Denver Post apps, social media and newsletters. She joined The Post as entertainment editor in 2019 and became director of audience in 2022. She has a bachelor’s in photojournalism from Kent State University and has a background in breaking news, food and travel, broadcast news and public radio at outlets in Colorado, Texas and Ohio.
* Denotes a member of The Denver Post editorial board. The editorial board operates separately from the news department.
The Denver Post is committed to transparency in our ownership structure. We cite potential conflicts of interest on the same page as the relevant work.
The Denver Post, which began publishing in 1892, is owned by Denver-based . 抖阴ap is a privately-owned company. The majority owner is , a privately held investment firm based in New York City. As a private company, 抖阴ap makes business decisions that keep shareholders in mind, but editorial decisions are independent.
The company鈥檚 largest properties include The Orange County Register, The Denver Post, The Mercury News, The Press-Enterprise, Los Angeles Daily News, Boston Herald and St. Paul Pioneer Press. Other 抖阴ap publications are listed at .
The Denver Post derives its funding from its advertisers, subscribers and commercial print business. On occasion, The Denver Post will seek grant money to support its reporting. Grantees do not have say over the editorial product and use and the source of such funding is disclosed on each story. The Post will not accept funding from any source that would stand to make a financial gain or has a stake in the reporting it is funding.
Last updated March 4, 2026.聽