Remembering Corky Scholl: 9NEWS Photojournalist Who Defined Visual Storytelling
The Denver media community is mourning the death of Corky Scholl, a beloved photojournalist at KUSA-TV (9NEWS), who passed away in his sleep on August 31, 2025. Known for his exceptional eye, technical mastery, and dedication to storytelling, Scholl’s work helped shape the way Coloradans experienced local news for decades.
News of his passing was shared by close friends and colleagues, many of whom expressed shock and heartbreak. “It is with a completely shattered heart that I post this picture of my friend Corky Scholl who sadly passed in his sleep last Saturday morning,” wrote longtime friend Scott Damnit on social media. “I will miss you my friend. I still can’t even accept that you are gone.”
A Career Rooted in Craft and Compassion
Scholl’s career at 9NEWS spanned decades, during which he became a fixture in Denver journalism. Colleagues recall him not only for his visual brilliance but also for his generosity in mentoring younger journalists. His ability to capture both the urgency of breaking news and the quiet dignity of everyday stories made him one of Colorado’s most respected photojournalists.
“Corky had a gift for turning the lens toward humanity,” a former colleague reflected. “He didn’t just cover events—he captured the emotion and context that made people care.”
An Enduring Legacy
Beyond his professional achievements, Scholl was admired for his warmth and humility. Friends describe him as a loyal companion, someone quick with encouragement and support. His loss is deeply felt not just in the newsroom but across the broader community he helped inform and connect.
The role of photojournalists like Scholl has grown increasingly vital as newsrooms balance traditional reporting with visual storytelling in an era dominated by digital media. His career serves as a reminder of the craft’s enduring power to bridge facts and empathy.
Community Response
KUSA-TV has not yet released an official statement, but tributes from across Colorado media underscore Scholl’s lasting influence. His passing leaves a void in Denver’s tight-knit journalism community—a reminder of how much one storyteller can mean to colleagues, audiences, and the profession itself.
Corky Scholl’s images and mentorship will live on as part of Colorado’s journalistic legacy.
