After almost 40 years of storytelling for Denver’s channel 7, Anne Trujillo is retiring–or as she calls it reinventing. Already her fans and community are missing her.Trujillo has received a multitude of thanks and well wishes in her last week on air. Her social media comments are flooded with love and support.
“You will be greatly missed! Best wishes on your next adventure and enjoy your family!” Heather Jaramillo said in a Facebook Comment.
“Congratulations on a job well done. Enjoy the next part of the journey.” Melissa Gabel Guinn writes.
Trujillo grew up in Colorado, and didn’t know she wanted to be a journalist until her first internship with the press and communications team for a member of congress. After that she went all in, leaving the University of Colorado a semester early to pursue her dream and take a job in ScottsBluff, Nebraska. Trujillo was one of two journalists in the newsroom and figured out pretty quickly what she was good at and what she wasn’t.
“I learned that I was not a good photographer, certainly not a good editor,” Trujillo said, “but I learned to get more and more comfortable in front of the camera and reading.”
Trujillo joined channel 7 in 1984 as a general assignment reporter, and met her husband on her first day on the job –she says it was love at first sight.
“My very first day on the job I was assigned to follow a crew,” Trujillo said, “[Mike Kalush and I] just hit it off right away and … I like to say he was flirting with me the whole time.”
Being a woman of color when that was rare in broadcasting wasn’t easy but it taught Trujillo that she needed a thick skin. She became a leader for other women of color and was a co-founder of the Colorado Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ). Trujillo has won a multitude of awards for her outstanding work and is a member of the NATAS Silver Circle, and in 2019 was inducted to the Denver Press Club Hall of Fame.
Not only has she made an impact on journalism in Denver, Trujillo has also dedicated time to helping the community. Trujillo has served on several boards across the state, including the Denver Scholarship Foundation, which helps Denver Public Schools provide college opportunities for students.
“Having worked in news all these years I feel like I know [Colorado] really well.” Trujillo said.
Quality time with her family has been Trujillo’s main motivator for leaving channel 7. She’s leaving just in time to spend the holidays with her family–something she hasn’t been guaranteed working in journalism. After that, Trujillo doesn’t have any set plans but she’s excited to see what the future holds.
“As I get ready to walk out the door at 123 Speer Blvd, I have already shed tears and am sure many more will fall as I think about how transformative KMGH has been in my life. I grew up here. I am proud of the many stories I was able to tell and honored to all of you who let me into your homes and personal lives. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Anne Wrote.
Listen to this month’s episode on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or right here.
