Brian Maass
Brian Maass has spearheaded the CBS News Colorado's investigative unit for nearly two decades. In that time, his investigations have held the powerful accountable, given voice to the voiceless and made a real difference in the lives of Coloradans.
His 2007 undercover investigation of deficient de-icing practices at Denver International Airport prompted re-training of hundreds of workers, firings, suspensions and multi-pronged federal and local investigations. Those reports received the Regional Edward R. Murrow award for investigative reporting in 2008.
His 2002 investigation exposing loafing cops at Denver International Airport led to retirements, dozens of reassignments and a heightened awareness of airport security.
Maass' exclusive 2004 interview with Army Pfc. Lynndie England made worldwide headlines as the woman at the center of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal told her story for the first time. The interview was honored with an Emmy award, as was his investigation into Denver cops double dipping and ignoring their primary jobs. He found top Denver police administrators working secondary jobs as school crossing guards when they were supposed to be overseeing murder, rape and kidnapping investigations. The reports led to a criminal investigation and sweeping changes within the Denver Police Department.
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In 1999, Maass uncovered and exposed the story of how a Denver Police SWAT team broke into the wrong house and killed Ismael Mena, who never should have been in the line of fire. The investigation resulted in a perjury charge against one Denver patrolman and broad reforms in the way "no knock" search warrants are processed.
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In 2019, the Heartland Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences inducted Maass into the "Silver Circle," a recognition of more than 25 years of journalism service.
Maass has won multiple Emmy awards, multiple "Best of The West" awards, the Regional Edward R. Murrow award for investigative reporting three years in a row, numerous Colorado Broadcast Association awards and a slew of other regional, state and local honors for his bold investigative reporting.
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Just The Facts
- Position: Your Investigator
- Most memorable interview: Pfc. Lynndie England of Abu Ghraib notoriety
- Role model: Garrick Utley, Bob Dotson
- Dream Job: Forsberg to Sakic to Maass to knock off the Red Wings in 7
- Job you would never attempt: sword swallowing
- Alma mater: University of Colorado Boulder
- Star sign: Gemini
- Year hired: 1983
- First TV Appearance: On a cold, icy live shot somewhere around Denver
- Favorite story: Any that helped people make informed decisions
- Why I'm a journalist: Love telling people something they don't know that is relevant to their lives
- Hidden talent: Juggling
- Hometown: by birth, Los Angeles. Since 1976, Colorado
- Number of children: Two sons
- Hobbies: skiing, hockey, running, cycling- anything outdoors
- Favorite food: pizza, BBQ, carbs, sushi, stir fry, mexican, brownies --is that enough?
- Favorite Musicians: Gruppo Sportivo, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Jimmy Cliff, John Prine
- Number of siblings: Five
- Number of pets: 1
- Favorite sports team: Avalanche
- Favorite vacation spot: Kauai, any beach, the desert or a mountain resort
- What one word describes CBS Colorado? Dynamic
- Favorite word: gagoolio
- Least favorite word: Sold out
- Favorite sound: The sound of my sons excitedly telling me about their day, or the sound of them breathing deeply as they sleep.
- What keeps me in Colorado: my family, friends, my neighborhood, my home, my work
- What's the biggest risk you've taken? Repeatedly asking a news reporter at another station to go out for dinner. It all became worthwhile when she married me.
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