ALBUQUERQUE — The KUNM community is sad to report the loss of their news director, fellow reporter, and friend, Hannah Colton.  She passed away this November.

In a moving tribute by KUNM colleague Marisa Demarco, Colton was described as a powerhouse of support to the news team, guiding reporters through a tough year of coverage on police brutality, the election, and COVID-19. 

“She well-understood the urgency of this moment, and she gave it her whole heart, working around the clock to cover equity and education, the dangers of the virus for people who are incarcerated, protests and the pandemic’s impacts on people without shelter,” said Demarco.

As a person who suffered from depression, Colton often focused her reporting on mental health issues.  In a piece she did in 2019, Colton shared a visual therapy technique from a local health worker.  

Colton was also known for her musical talents, she sang and played violin.

Colton moved to Albuquerque, NM from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Demarco said in her article that Colton will be largely missed, adding, “we miss her so much already.”

To read Marisa Demarco’s full article on Hannah Colton, click here.

If you are struggling with anxiety or depression and need someone to talk to, consider reaching out to online services.  Here are some recommended options for 2020.

If you are having a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, help is available.  You are worth it.