Why Austin Biz Journal editor Pope stays in Austin

Colin Pope

Austin Business Journal editor in chief Colin Pope spoke with the Austin Under 40 Awards about his job.

The story states, “A decade after winning the prestigious Austinite of the Year title at the Austin Under 40 Awards, Colin remains as passionate about Austin as ever. His work at ABJ has become a cornerstone of how the city navigates its rapid growth. But for Colin, it’s never been about the accolades. ‘If you can find a job where you wake up and say, ‘Austin will miss my work today,’ then you’ve found your purpose,’ he says.

“Colin’s impact on Austin isn’t theoretical—it’s tangible. One of his favorite examples is a story ABJ ran about a downtown block up for sale. The property, owned by a group of condo owners, had quietly agreed to sell to a developer. ABJ broke the story, and what happened next was quintessential Austin: a bidding war. ‘Someone else read our article, swooped in, and offered those condo owners even more money,’ Colin recalls. ‘Now there’s a massive tower going up there. We literally changed the skyline of the city with that story.’

“It’s this kind of influence that keeps Colin deeply connected to his role at ABJ, even after 25 years. While he’s had opportunities to lead business journals in larger markets like New York or San Francisco, Colin has turned them down every time. ‘Wild horses couldn’t drag me away from Austin,’ he says with a laugh. ‘This city isn’t just where I work—it’s where I live, where I raise my family, and where I feel most connected.'”