Karen Leigh: CBS Colorado News Anchor | Biography, Age, Height

Karen Leigh: Award-Winning News Anchor at CBS News Colorado – Biography

Karen Leigh is an Emmy Award-winning news anchor at CBS News Colorado. She anchors the CBS Weekend News from CBS4 studios in Denver.

 She joined the station in 2008 and has been an Evening News Anchor since then. Karen is originally from Arkansas and has a deep love for the great outdoors, which she found in Colorado.

Leigh is passionate about her work and is committed to delivering the news with accuracy and integrity.

She has covered many significant events in Colorado, including floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and the Aurora theater shooting.

She also traveled to California for Super Bowl 50 for week-long coverage on the Denver Broncos and their remarkable win.

Covering Peyton Manning on the memorable year preceding his retirement is something she says she’ll never forget.

Karen is a four-time Emmy winner and is known for her dedication to the community and her passion for journalism.

Leigh is also involved in her community. She supports the local chapter of ALS Colorado – Wyoming, Musana, Second Wind Fund, Women’s Foundation of Colorado, WillStrong Foundation and the MS Society.

In her free time, Leigh enjoys spending time with her daughter and her close friends. She also enjoys working in her yard, playing golf with her husband, and supporting her church community.

She loves animals and is currently still trying to train the newest edition to their family: a Bernese Mountain Dog named Eze.

Early Life and Education:

Karen Leigh was born and raised in Arkansas. Her interest in journalism and storytelling developed at a young age, and she participated in school plays and wrote for her high school newspaper. This early exposure to journalism fueled her passion for the field.

After high school, Karen pursued higher education at Arkansas State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communication and Media Studies with minors in Political Science and Philosophy.

During her time at Arkansas State University from 1989 to 1993, she was an active member of the Chi Omega Sorority.

Her academic journey equipped her with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in journalism.

Her dedication and commitment to her studies laid a strong foundation for her successful career in broadcasting.

Career:

Karen’s journalism career began at WKRN-TV in 1998, where she worked as a news reporter and fill-in anchor.

She then served as a morning news anchor at WCCO-TV from August 2004 to March 2008, anchoring daily newscasts.

In 2008, she joined CBS4 in Denver, where she anchors the evening newscasts at 5, 6, 6:30, and 10 p.m.

Throughout her career, Karen has covered significant events, including floods, tornadoes, wildfires, the Aurora theater shooting, and Super Bowl 50.

She also hosts a 30-minute program, “Together with Karen Leigh,” dedicated to highlighting positive stories within the community.

Early Career

Karen Leigh began her journalism career shortly after graduating from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communication and Media Studies, with minors in Political Science and Philosophy.

She attended the university from 1989 to 1993, and during her time there, she was an active member of the Chi Omega Sorority.

After completing her education, Karen started working at local news stations, where she quickly made a name for herself as a dedicated and talented reporter and anchor.

Her early career was marked by a commitment to covering local news stories with accuracy and integrity, which set the stage for her future successes.

WKRN-TV (News Reporter/Fill-In Anchor)

Duration: 1998 – 2002 (4 years)

Karen Leigh’s career continued to flourish at WKRN-TV, an ABC affiliate in Nashville, Tennessee. During her four-year tenure at WKRN-TV, she worked as a News Reporter and Fill-In Anchor.

She covered numerous high-profile stories and further developed her on-camera presence. Her work at WKRN-TV solidified her reputation as a skilled journalist capable of delivering compelling news coverage.

KTHV-TV (Gannett) – News Anchor

Duration: August 2002 – August 2004 (2 years 1 month)

Karen Leigh then moved to KTHV-TV, the CBS affiliate in Little Rock, Arkansas, which is part of the Gannett network.

During her two-year tenure at KTHV-TV, she anchored the weekday evening newscasts at 5 and 10 PM.

Her time at KTHV-TV allowed her to cover a wide range of news stories, from local events to significant regional issues.

Her versatility and ability to handle diverse reporting assignments earned her recognition and respect within the journalism community.

WCCO-TV – Morning News Anchor

Duration: August 2004 – March 2008 (3 years 8 months)

Karen Leigh then took on the role of Morning News Anchor at WCCO-TV, the CBS affiliate in the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area.

Over her nearly four-year tenure at WCCO-TV, she anchored the weekday 5-7 AM newscasts, becoming a familiar face to morning viewers.

Her role at WCCO-TV helped her build a strong foundation in morning news broadcasting, enhancing her skills in live reporting and anchoring.

KCNC-TV (CBS News Colorado) – News Anchor

Duration: 2008 – Present (17 years 1 month)

In 2008, Karen Leigh joined KCNC-TV, part of CBS News Colorado, where she has been a full-time news anchor ever since.

For over 17 years, she has anchored the weekday newscasts at 5, 6, 6:30, and 10 PM.

Her tenure at CBS News Colorado has been marked by her coverage of significant events such as floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and the Aurora theater shooting.

She has also traveled to California to cover major events like Super Bowl 50, showcasing her versatility and dedication to journalism.

Here are some of Karen Leigh’s notable coverages:

• Aurora Theater Shooting: Provided continuous updates and coverage of the tragic incident in 2012.

• Super Bowl 50: Reported on the Denver Broncos’ win, covering Peyton Manning’s final season.

• Natural Disasters: Covered various floods, tornadoes, and wildfires, providing crucial information to the public.

• Local Community Events: Highlighted stories showcasing the resilience and generosity of Coloradans.

Karen Leigh has received several awards and recognitions throughout her career for her outstanding work in journalism:

• Emmy Awards: Karen Leigh is a four-time Emmy Award winner, recognized for her exceptional reporting and anchoring.

• Community Service Awards: She has been honored for her dedication to community service and her involvement in various charitable activities.

• Professional Recognition: Karen has received accolades from her peers and professional organizations for her contributions to journalism and her commitment to ethical reporting.

Here are some of Karen Leigh’s colleagues at CBS News Colorado:

• Michelle Griego: Morning News Anchor. Michelle is a Colorado native who has been with CBS News Colorado since 2005 and returned in 2021 after a stint in the Bay Area.

• Brian Flores: Morning News Anchor. Brian co-anchors the morning news with Michelle Griego.

• Romi Bean: Reporter.

• Alex Lehnert: Reporter.

• Ashley Portillo: Reporter.

• Gabriela Vidal: Reporter.

• Lauren Whitney: Reporter.

• Spencer Wilson: Reporter.

• Olivia Young: Reporter.

These are just some of the dedicated journalists working alongside Karen Leigh at CBS News Colorado.

Financial Status:

Karen’s estimated net worth ranges between $1 million and $5 million, primarily accumulated through her career in journalism.

This estimation is based on her long and successful career as a news anchor and her involvement in various community activities.

Over the years, her experience and reputation have likely contributed significantly to her financial standing. This net worth includes her earnings from her job, any investments she may have made, and other income sources.

Her annual salary is reported to be between $86,719 and $189,925. This figure is an approximation based on industry standards for news anchors at major news networks like CBS News Colorado.

Factors influencing her salary include her extensive experience, her role as an evening news anchor, and her long tenure with the network.

Additionally, her Emmy Award wins and recognized community involvement could contribute to her earning potential.

Personal Life:

• Age: Karen Leigh was born on June 8, 1971, in Little Rock, Arkansas, making her 53 years old.

• Zodiac Sign: Gemini.

• Ethnicity: White

• Nationality: American.

• Relationship Status: Married.

Husband:

Karen Leigh is married to Jim Peros. They have been together for many years and share a strong bond.

Jim is a Colorado native who graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and CU Boulder. He is part of the Greek community and works in the Denver Tech Center area.

Karen and Jim have one daughter, Elle, who they affectionately call their “Vail baby” because she was born a month early at Vail Valley Medical Center.

Elle enjoys activities like lacrosse and volleyball. The family also has a Bernese Mountain Dog named Eze, who is a beloved member of their household.

Karen and Jim love to spend time together golfing, traveling, and serving the community. They enjoy the beautiful sunsets in Castle Pines and feel fortunate to have Jim’s family nearby in Colorado.

Physical Attributes:

Social Media Activity:

Karen Leigh is active on social media. You can find her on both Twitter and Facebook.

She often shares updates about her work, community involvement, and sometimes glimpses into her personal life.