Eric Heinz

I started by freelancing with The Denver North Star after returning to Colorado in January 2021, then I went to BusinessDen for a little while before returning to become the editor. I was in charge of assigning and fact-checking stories as well as coordinating the social media accounts and producing most of the news content.

I was responsible for keeping up with the activities of the Denver City Council, with an emphasis on policy regarding development and income-restricted housing.

I covered breaking news at Los Angeles City Hall primarily, presidential debates and issues in the energy and transportation sectors. Typically, I would write between five and 12 stories each day as part of the overall wire service. I covered government affairs as the COVID-19 pandemic descended on Los Angeles and the many long-hour meetings representatives held to respond to the emergency.

My responsibilities included overseeing the day-to-day process of the editorial department, keeping staff on task and helping with training, in addition to editing and creating content for the print and multimedia platforms. Additionally, I was responsible for ensuring the three papers in the organization made the most of their search engine optimization tools within WordPress and creating a weekly newsletter.

As city editor, it was my duty to create content including print stories, web content, photos and video in the news and living sections, edit the opinion pages as well as the Surf section, manage summer interns and host a weekly public discussion every Friday in San Clemente.

I covered the city of Socorro, New Mexico, with particular emphasis on city and county government, school boards, crime and courts.

I was responsible for covering the towns of Eagle Nest and Red River, New Mexico. Very small, intimate towns that keep to themselves primarily, and building trust with sources took time but was well worth the effort.

(The Sangre de Cristo Chronicle's print edition was discontinued in 2015).

My responsibilities included cultivating the police blotter, helping with extra stories and special sections. I was taught manual setting DSLR photography and additional skills that helped me later in my career.

My responsibilities in both capacities included helping student reporters with their stories, directing photographers and columnists, editing stories and pages for print and web as well as covering stories when needed.