Meteorologist Richard J. Ortner joined the 24/7 Weather Team in September 2000.

A Colorado native, Richard first joined 7News in 1991 as an assignment editor. In 1993, he left KMGH to pursue a career as a meteorologist, with the goal of someday returning to Denver. Seven years later, the Emmy-award winning meteorologist returned to Denver's 7.

Richard has master's degrees in meteorology and journalism. The American Meteorological Society (AMS) has distinguished Richard as a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist -- the Society’s most prestigious level of recognition for meteorologists working in the media. Additionally, he holds the National Weather Association Seal of Approval.

A former college instructor, Richard truly loves going to schools, meeting with students and teaching them about weather and the world around them. Email Richard if you would him to visit your classroom, club, or organization for an entertaining presentation on a variety of topics.

Richard enjoys his dual role at KMGH as a meteorologist and journalist. Weather is his passion, and he has a keen interest in environmental reporting. Environmental journalism is ideally suited to Colorado, where outdoor activities and the environment are important to so many people. Snow is by far his favorite weather event, though severe weather is a close second. Richard's favorite weather memory is the blizzard of 1982, when 3 feet of snow fell at his home in Broomfield.

Richard's greatest joy is raising his kids and helping them to explore their world while discovering who they are as individuals. Richard enjoys hiking, backpacking, skiing, writing, reading, and traveling (kayaking, fishing and rafting in Alaska, scuba diving in Mexico, hiking in Canada and living in Hawaii are highlights). Richard is involved in charities such as Kid's Count, and the United Way.

EXPERIENCE:

2000 KMGH 7NEWS
Denver
Meteorologist

1998 WCBI-TV
Columbus, Miss.
Meteorologist

1998 Mississippi State University
Department of Geosciences/Broadcast Meteorology
Instructor

1996, WIAT-TV
Birmingham, Ala.
Chief Meteorologist

1993 WHSV-TV
Harrisonburg, Va.
Chief Meteorologist

1991 KMGH-TV
Denver
Assignment Editor

EDUCATION:

Toccoa Falls College
Toccoa Falls, Ga.
B.S. Interpersonal & Organizational Communication

University of Colorado-Boulder
Boulder, Colo.
M.A. Broadcast Journalism

Mississippi State University
M.S. Broadcast Meteorology

"Weather impacts everybody all the time, and that is especially true for Coloradans ... whether you are hiking in the Rockies, cycling in the suburbs or farming in the plains. Personally, growing up in Colorado gave me an appreciation for the environment that ultimately inspired me to become a meteorologist. Colorado weather is potent and changes quickly, so if you don't like it ... just wait a minute!"

Send e-mail to Richard Ortner