DENVER — One of the longest-running news personalities in Colorado has signed off the radio airwaves.
April Zesbaugh of 850 KOA retired on Friday, May 27, ending a 30-year broadcast journalism career.
Zesbaugh was at KOA for 26 years and co-hosted "Colorado’s Morning News" since 1996.
"Despite my 2:30 a.m. wake-up call for the last 30 years, I feel very fortunate for every second in front of the KOA microphone," said Zesbaugh. "It’s time to hang-up my headphones to pursue more family time, play more tennis, travel in our RV and see what it feels like to sleep without an alarm clock."
KOA owner iHeartMedia announced in March that Zesbaugh would retire "in the upcoming months."
"April is one of the most recognizable and popular voices in Colorado, and has set a professional standard which has contributed to the success of KOA," said Greg Foster, Senior Vice President of Talk Programming for iHeartMedia and Program Director of KOA. "While we will miss our friend and colleague, April has earned the opportunity to enjoy her retirement."
"I’m grateful to Jerry Bell, former News Director of KOA, for hiring me – calling me during my honeymoon to offer me the job – and to the current News Director, Kathy Walker, and the KOA news team who have been with me every step of the way in helping to make me a better broadcaster and journalist," said Zesbaugh. "I’m leaving our listeners in good hands with my co-host, Marty Lenz. He has great news chops and asks really smart questions."
Prior to joining KOA, Zesbaugh served as news director and an anchor for Denver’s KCNC-TV collaboration with KNUS-AM, and she anchored and reported the news at Wyoming Public Radio in Laramie.
A native of Arizona, Zesbaugh started her broadcast career at National Public Radio affiliate KUNC-FM in Greeley, where she graduated with degrees in Journalism and English from the University of Northern Colorado.
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