KUSA is NPPA Station of the Year

KUSA (Denver) has done it again.

For an unprecedented 12th time, the National Press Photographers Association has named KUSA 9NEWS its 2014 Large Market Station of the Year.

The award, which honors excellence in television photography and editing, was announced by judges of the annual NPPA contest from the Michigan State University School of Journalism.

"The best photographers are able to reduce big stories, fires and floods, our triumphs and tragedies, to singular, meaningful and memorable moments," said 9NEWS Vice President and News Director Patti Dennis. "9NEWS photographers intuitively capture the small moments in the midst of big stories which help provide clarity and understanding and, more often than not, move our viewers. It's extremely gratifying to me to see this new generation of journalists honor our 35 year tradition of excellence in photojournalism while constantly pushing the medium."

Since the NPPA awarded its first Station of the Year honor in 1958, no other station has earned the award more than seven times. Including this year's honor, 9NEWS has now won the title 12 times – in 1977 as KBTV, in 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2005 and 2009.

9NEWS Director of Photography, Eric Kehe, himself a former NPPA Ernie Crisp Photographer of the Year said, "Winning Station of the Year for the 12th time speaks to the commitment 9NEWS has made to photojournalism by placing an emphasis on quality production and creative storytelling to deliver news and information to our viewers. We are passionate about our craft. We push and challenge ourselves every day to put the best possible stories on the air for our viewers. We take great pride in being a part of a tradition of excellence in photojournalism."