coolant burning

How can you tell if you are burning coolant? Other than looking at the level in the radiator and tank. Any smells, smoke, etc.

Light blue out the tail pipe and a sweet smell at tail pipe is a good indication.
I asume you are asking about the 97 K-1500?
If losing coolant run a pressure check on the coolant system and watch for leaks around the intake manifold and water pump and rad.
Also they make a leak dye kit for coolant to find the hard to find leaks.
MT

Pull the spark plugs when the engine has set overnight. Should see a wet one or two if it's leaking into the cylinders. Look at the dipstick when the engine is hot, might see some steaming if leaking into the crankcase, and you might see some water on the underside of the oil fill cap. Usually the leaks are around the intake manifold and you'll see the level in the recovery tank go down over time.

If your truck is burning coolant it will smoke white and the smoke will have a sweet smell. The proper way to check it out is to get a block check kit from a part store and have a cylinder leak down test done.