“Storytellers” special to focus on Colorado’s small towns

When 9News journalist Kevin Torres emailed to ask if I’d like to write a preview of his “Storytellers” special, I jumped at the chance. After all, Torres, is one of my favorite Colorado journalists because we have a love of Colorado’s small towns in common. It is the five time Emmy-award winning journalist’s focus on Colorado’s small towns that brought him to my attention several years ago.

The “Storytellers” segments on 9News focus on human interest stories. Multiple journalists work on “Storytellers” segments, but when Torres hosts the show his focus is on the stories that come from Colorado’s small towns.

Torres has worked on “Storytellers” segments for the past five years. His work has taken him across the state and back again. He’s traveled the Eastern Plains and the Western Slope, and to tiny towns in corners of the state seldom visited. He’s made a lot of friends along the way, and keeps those friendships alive by stopping in and visiting folks whenever he’s in the area.

Torres describes the connections he has made as, “like family.”

I was surprised to learn that on 98 percent of Torres’ excursions he’s alone. He’s considered a “backpack journalists,” doing all his own photography, writing and editing of a story and often sending it in while still on the road – from his hotel room or a coffee shop in Crested Butte or a barbeque joint in Fairplay.

His upcoming special, “Storytellers: Small Town Stories,” is a compilation of Torres’ personal favorite segments from his small town adventures. I think this special is a perfect fit for HeidiTown citizens as my readers have a particular interest in the subject of small towns.

While it’s not easy to pick a favorite from his favorites, Torres loves his “Storyteller” segment called, “The Tank.” The segment, shot in northwest Colorado, is part of the special that Torres will host on October 25. Watch the show to find out how an old water tank is now luring world-class musicians to the Town of Rangely.

“My favorite part of being a reporter on the “Storytellers” series is getting to meet interesting people and tell stories about regular folks whose lives otherwise go unnoticed,” says Torres. “There are lots of people out there who feel like they won’t get on television unless they are a famous celebrity or commit a crime, but the fact of the matter is that there are so many normal, average people with hidden talents who should share them with the world. I’m grateful that I get to help share those stories.”

The “Storytellers: Small Town Stories” special on 9News airs Saturday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m.

I’ve already set my DVR.