Riccardo Cozzolino: Covering Colorado Sports | CBS News Colorado
Riccardo Cozzolino, also known as Richie Cozzolino, is a sports reporter, producer, and anchor at CBS News Colorado (KCNC-TV). He joined the team in June 2022.
Before that, he worked as a sports anchor and reporter for KKTV 11 News from September 2019 to May 2022.
He also had stints at KREX 5 News and as a news producer at WILX-TV in Lansing, MI, and WOOD-TV8 in Grand Rapids.
Cozzolino has covered a variety of sports events in Colorado, including the X Games Aspen, Broncos quarterback battles, and playoff runs for the Rockies, Nuggets, and Avalanche.
He has also won a Colorado Broadcasters Association award for his coverage of prep sports.
He’s a big fan of Michigan State football and basketball and enjoys hiking and attending Grand Junction Rockies games in his free time.
Richie is also known for his love of Italian food and spending time with his labradoodle, Cosmo.
Early Life and Education:
Riccardo Cozzolino, also known as Richie, grew up in the metro Detroit area of Michigan.
He attended the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, where he likely developed an early interest in journalism and sports.
He then went on to Michigan State University, where he graduated with a degree in journalism.
During his time at MSU, he concentrated on electronic news and was actively involved in various student media activities.
His passion for sports and storytelling led him to pursue a career in sports journalism, starting with roles behind the camera as a news producer before transitioning to on-air reporting.
Career:
After obtaining his journalism degree, Richie began his career as a news producer at WILX-TV in Lansing, Michigan, and later at WOOD-TV8 in Grand Rapids.
Transitioning to sports journalism, he joined KREX 5 News in Grand Junction, Colorado, in January 2018 as a sports anchor and reporter.
In September 2019, he moved to KKTV 11 News in Colorado Springs, serving as a sports anchor and reporter until May 2022.
During this period, he covered significant events such as the JUCO World Series, X Games Aspen, and Monday Night Football.
In June 2022, Richie joined CBS News Colorado as a sports reporter, producer, and anchor, where he continues to cover major sports events across the state.
WILX-TV (Lansing, MI)
At WILX-TV, Riccardo began his career as a news producer from September 2015 to February 2016. As a news producer, he was responsible for creating weekend morning news programs.
This role involved selecting and arranging news stories, writing scripts, and coordinating with reporters and anchors to ensure a smooth broadcast.
Producing news requires a keen eye for detail and the ability to work under tight deadlines, skills that Riccardo likely honed during his time at WILX-TV.
WOOD-TV8 (Grand Rapids, MI)
Riccardo moved to WOOD-TV8 in March 2016 and worked there until December 2017. In this role, he produced noon broadcasts and evening news programs.
Producing these shows meant that Riccardo had to balance breaking news with pre-planned segments, ensuring that each broadcast was informative and engaging.
He also filled in as a producer for weekday shows, gaining valuable experience in managing different types of news content and broadcast formats.
KREX 5 News (Grand Junction, CO)
In January 2018, Riccardo joined KREX 5 News, where he worked until August 2019. This phase of his career saw him transition to a more hands-on role in sports journalism.
At KREX, Riccardo covered major sports events such as the JUCO World Series, X Games Aspen, Monday Night Football, and high school football on the Western Slope.
Covering these events involved not only reporting on the games but also capturing the excitement and atmosphere of the events, conducting interviews with athletes and coaches, and delivering in-depth analysis.
KKTV 11 News (Colorado Springs, CO)
From September 2019 to May 2022, Riccardo worked as a sports anchor and reporter at KKTV 11 News.
In this role, he was responsible for anchoring sports segments during news broadcasts, reporting on local and national sports events, and producing sports-related content.
Riccardo’s work at KKTV included covering a wide range of sports, from professional leagues to local high school teams.
His ability to connect with the audience and deliver engaging sports stories made him a valuable member of the KKTV team.
CBS News Colorado (KCNC-TV)
Since June 2022, Riccardo has been working as a sports reporter, producer, and anchor at CBS News Colorado.
Here, he continues to cover major sports events, bringing his passion for sports journalism to a broader audience.
His role involves not only reporting on games and events but also producing sports segments, anchoring broadcasts, and engaging with the community.
Riccardo’s dedication to his craft and his love for sports are evident in his work at CBS News Colorado.
Throughout his career, Riccardo has demonstrated a strong commitment to sports journalism, continually honing his skills and gaining valuable experience at each station he worked at.
His journey from a news producer to a respected sports reporter and anchor is a testament to his passion and dedication to the field.
Riccardo Cozzolino has covered a wide range of notable sports events throughout his career. Here are some highlights:
- JUCO World Series: While at KREX 5 News, Riccardo covered the JUCO World Series, a major event in junior college baseball. His coverage included reporting on the games, interviewing players and coaches, and providing in-depth analysis of the matches.
- X Games Aspen: Riccardo reported on the X Games Aspen, a popular extreme sports event that features athletes competing in sports like snowboarding, skiing, and motocross. His coverage included interviews with Olympic athletes and capturing the excitement of the competitions.
- Monday Night Football: Riccardo covered Monday Night Football, providing live updates and analysis of the games. This role required him to stay on top of the latest developments and deliver timely and engaging reports.
- NHL Stadium Series: At KKTV 11 News, Riccardo covered the NHL Stadium Series at Falcon Stadium, where the Colorado Avalanche played against the Detroit Red Wings. His coverage included pre-game and post-game analysis, as well as interviews with players and coaches.
- High School Football on the Western Slope: Riccardo has extensively covered high school football in Colorado, highlighting the talent and dedication of young athletes. His work in this area has earned him recognition, including a Colorado Broadcasters Association award for his coverage of prep sports.
- Air Force Football’s 2019 Cheez-It Bowl Win: Riccardo reported on the Air Force Falcons’ victory in the 2019 Cheez-It Bowl, capturing the excitement and emotions of the game and the team’s celebration.
- Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets Playoffs: At CBS News Colorado, Riccardo has covered the playoffs runs for the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets, providing fans with in-depth coverage and analysis of the teams’ performances.
Here are some of Riccardo Cozzolino’s colleagues at CBS News Colorado:
- Brian Flores: Morning news anchor. Brian works alongside Michelle to deliver the latest news to viewers every morning.
- Justin Adams: Reporter.
- Dave Aguilera: Reporter.
- Romi Bean: Reporter.
- Alex Lehnert: Reporter.
- Karen Leigh: Reporter.
- Rod Mackey: Reporter.
- Tori Mason: Reporter.
- Olivia Young: Reporter.
These are just some of the talented journalists and anchors working at CBS News Colorado alongside Riccardo Cozzolino.
Financial Status:
Based on available information, Riccardo Cozzolino’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million. As for his salary, it is estimated to range between $30,000 and $90,000 annually.
These figures are rough estimates and can vary based on factors such as experience, specific roles, and other income sources.
Personal Life:
- Age: Riccardo was born in Detroit, Michigan.
- Zodiac Sign: His zodiac sign is Virgo.
- Ethnicity: Riccardo is of Italian descent, as indicated by his last name “Cozzolino.”
- Nationality: He is American, having grown up in Michigan and attended American schools and universities.
- Relationship Status: There isn’t any publicly available information about his relationship status. It’s unclear whether he is married or single.
- Wife: Riccardo has not disclosed any information about a spouse or partner.
Richie is an avid fan of Michigan State football and basketball. He often expresses his enthusiasm for these teams and has been known to discuss the challenges faced by Detroit sports teams in recent years.
In his leisure time, Richie enjoys hiking, especially on Colorado’s Western Slope, and attending Grand Junction Rockies games. He also has a dog, with whom he spends quality time.
Physical Attributes:
- Height: Riccardo Cozzolino stands at an estimated height of approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm).
- Weight: His weight is estimated to be around 163 lbs (74 kg).
Social Media Activity:
Richie is active on social media platforms. On X (formerly Twitter), he can be found at @RichieCozz, where he shares updates related to his work and personal interests.
He also maintains a presence on Facebook under the name Richie Cozzolino.