During my junior year of high school, I was asked the same question so many of us were asked at that age: “what do you want to be when you grow up?”
I had no idea.
My dad was a newspaper reporter in his heyday, and I liked sports, so I said “journalism!” in a mildly enthusiastic tone. Never did I think that indifferent answer would lead me to my life’s passion: telling stories that emanate from an insatiable curiosity.
After graduating Syracuse University in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, I worked for television stations in Virginia, Arkansas, Florida, and Colorado before coming back to Denver during the pandemic to work as a national correspondent for Scripps News.
The journey has introduced me to some of the most resilient and remarkable people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.
I’ve covered hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires from the front lines. I’ve covered presidential campaigns and even got to ride through the eye of Hurricane Dorian in 2019 with the Hurricane Hunters (an unholy amount of Dramamine was involved).
I’ve received a few awards for my reporting, but nothing compares to the connections made with everyday people who are kind enough to welcome a reporter from New Jersey into their lives, if only for a few moments, often on their most triumphant or defeated days.
From Mike Cimbura, a 53-year-old husband and father from Castle Rock who rode in one final bike race before ALS took his life; to Bob Connor, a Fort Myers man who watched his family’s home burn in front of his eyes after Hurricane Ian ripped through his neighborhood.
Telling their stories and becoming a part of each other’s lives will forever by my life’s greatest honor.
When I’m not telling stories, I enjoy long distance runs, snowboarding, and traveling to places off the grid. The world is an amazing place, and I hope to explore as much of it as I can.
I would love to hear from you. If you have a story idea or just want to say hi, please email me at daniel.grossman@denver7.com. I look forward to meeting you.
