Sophia Villalba joined the Denver7 news team in October 2025. A proud Southern California native, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism with honors from San Francisco State University. Sophia discovered her passion for journalism early on, growing up in a home where local news was always on and field reporters became her role models.
While in college, Sophia interned at KRON4 News along San Francisco’s Embarcadero, where she gained hands-on newsroom experience. She was later promoted to Production Assistant going into her senior year. She was also involved in her university’s weekly news program, State of Events, serving as a reporter, anchor, and producer.
After graduation, she began her career at KSBY News in San Luis Obispo, Denver7’s sister station. There, she covered a wide range of impactful stories affecting California’s Central Coast, from the extended closure of Highway 1 due to landslides, to controversial energy proposals, the region’s housing and insurance challenges, and the health impacts of toxic algae on marine life.
Now in Denver, Sophia is up early as a morning reporter which suits her perfectly as a natural early riser. Outside of work, she loves discovering new restaurants, watching historical documentaries and horror films, and exploring new places. When visiting home, she enjoys kayaking with her dog and spending time with family.
