Longtime Denver radio man Gus Mircos dies

By Dusty Saunders, Special To The News

Published May 12, 2008 at 3:44 p.m.
Updated May 12, 2008 at 9:43 p.m.

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Gus Mircos

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Gus Mircos was a feisty Greek with a mellifluous voice who loved to talk . . . and talk . . . and talk.

That's why he became a Denver radio icon, with most of his colorful career spent as co-host of the Colorado Morning News on KOA-AM (850).

Mr. Mircos later co-hosted a talk show on KRFF-AM and briefly was a classical music host on KVOD, when the station briefly moved from FM to AM.

"Some people were shocked when finding out I was working on a classical music station," said Mr. Mircos, shortly after taking over a weekday afternoon shift. But, he noted, "I like the music and I can pronounce Shostakovich and Prokofiev just like an expert."

Mr. Mircos died Sunday at University Hospital following a long battle with thyroid cancer. He was 70.

His reputation for being a professional curmudgeon was greatly exaggerated, according to CBS4 News weatherman Ed Greene, who worked with him for nearly 20 years, beginning in 1980, on the highly rated morning radio news program.

"Gus was truly a good guy with a heart as big as a Greek amphitheater," Greene said. "He also was a tremendous broadcasting talent and wonderful family man."

Born Jan. 7, 1938, in Boulder, Mr. Mircos moved to Frederick with his parents and lived there until his death. Following high school graduation, he went to broadcasting school, securing his first job in 1958 as a disc jockey on KLMO-AM in Longmont after marrying Myrna Ciocchetti on Aug. 9, 1958.

Joining KHOW-AM in 1963, Mr. Mircos later worked at KATT- AM and in the news department at KOA-TV and Radio before co-hosting the morning news.

In January 2002, Mr. Mircos was scheduled to provide coverage of festivities surrounding the Olympic torch travels as it passed through Denver en route to Salt Lake City. But he lost his voice shortly before the broadcast.

Following extensive surgery, Mr. Mircos did occasional voiceovers for local and national advertisers, but never again worked full time in radio.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include three daughters: Nicolle DeSantis and Kari and Margo Mircos; a son, Dean; and five grandchildren, all living in the Frederick area.

A funeral service is scheduled at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 4610 E. Alameda Ave. The family asks that contributions be sent to the cathedral or the Colorado Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 172625, Denver, CO 80217-2625.

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