Sky-Hi News is excited to welcome Gino Savaria to the newsroom team. As a passionate storyteller and outdoor enthusiast, Savaria brings a unique blend of journalistic experience and deep connection to Colorado’s natural landscapes.

Savaria will be working for Sky-Hi as a general reporter covering West Grand County including the communities of Grand Lake, Hot Sulphur Spring, Parshall and Kremmling, as well as the Board of County Commisioners.

Originally from Illinois, he started his reporting career with Emerald Media Group in Eugene, Oregon while earning his master’s degree in journalism at the University of Oregon.

Over the past five years, he has lived and worked throughout the western United States, guiding whitewater rafting trips and teaching outdoor education. Most recently, he worked at the Catalina Island Marine Institute, where he introduced youth to the wonders of the Pacific Ocean.

His time as a raft guide work taught Savaria the importance of being adaptable and ready for unexpected changes — a quality he values in a local journalist.

“I had to adapt on a dime,” he said. “Now, I always try to be over-prepared.”

Savaria is no stranger to Grand County.  He has spent several seasons guiding rafting trips on the Colorado River and Clear Creek, gradually progressing to more technical waters like the Class V Gore Canyon. His time on Colorado’s rivers has given him a deep appreciation for the region’s beauty and tight-knit communities. He is excited to shift his focus from seasonal work to full time reporting and plant roots in Grand County.

Savaria’s reporting interests lie at the intersection of culture and nature. He credits his childhood curiosity for shaping his career path.

“As a journalist, you need to be extremely curious and be able to look around and wonder what exactly is going on in the community around you,” he said. “When you live somewhere for a while, it’s easy to lose that curiosity about the place you are in, but there are still things going on and stories to be told.”

As a graduate student, Savaria reported on forest regeneration after wildfires, analyzing the impacts of different restoration methods. Ultimately, these efforts taught him about the interconnectedness and balance of humans and the natural world.

Outside of the newsroom, Savaria can be found exploring the mountains, listening to live music and searching for new adventures. Now based in Winter Park, Savaria looks forward to covering critical issues in the county and becoming an active member of the Grand County community.