Posted By Becky Bisbee

John Accola, a business investigative reporter at the Rocky Mountain News, died June 25 of an apparent heart attack. He was 56.

Accola was a winner, with colleague Peggy Lowe, of a 2000 Best in Business award in the Spot Enterprise – Giant Newspapers category. He authored or co-authored a number of other stories and series nominated for SABEW awards.

Deb Goeken, managing editor of the News, called Accola “an extraordinary reporter. He has a gift for getting people to talk to him, and he has written amazing stories. He has been on the business staff for years, and John very much appreciated the team spirit and closeness of his business colleagues.”

Accola had just celebrated his 22nd anniversary with the News.