Patti Dennis: News Vet Continues a 'Culture of Excellence'

Tragedy, wildfires and Olympics Gold put Denver leader KUSA to the test

By Lindsay Rubino -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/24/2012 12:01:00 AM

AN ABUNDANCE OF NEWS originating from Denver made its way onto the national airwaves this year, putting the state’s local news stations to the test. Over the summer, Colorado was plagued by wildfires that destroyed 600 homes and killed five people. Although the station is no stranger to wildfire coverage, Patti Dennis, KUSA VP and news director, says, “There [is always] something new to learn as a journalist covering it.” KUSA’s team was able to traverse the terrain to get “some of the most disturbing, yet compelling, live fire pictures I’ve ever seen,” Dennis says.

Then on July 20, a gunman at a suburban Aurora, Colo., movie theater killed 12 people and injured 58. As with the wildfires, KUSA deployed LiveU camera units to Aurora. Though the backpacks allow KUSA’s crew to get close to the scene, Dennis says safety is paramount.

Earlier in the year, anchor Kyle Dyer was bitten by a dog on 9NEWS’ morning show. The story drew national attention. “It was an opportunity to do what we’re commissioned to do,” Dennis says, “which is to inform and educate when we can.” KUSA spent time discussing dog behavior and safety following the incident.

But all is not tragedy in the Denver market, as shown when Colorado Olympic swimmer Missy Franklin, who the station followed for a year prior to the Summer Games, won four gold medals. “Our audience was able to experience [the Olympics] in ways that we’ve never been able to showcase before,” Dennis says.

Dennis, a 30-year KUSA veteran, says the station just has a “culture of excellence”— one that she’s determined to continue.