Denver Gazette publisher named Clarity Media president and CEO

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Chris Reen, publisher of The Denver Gazette, has been named president and CEO of Denver-based Clarity Media Group, which owns the digital publication.

Reen assumes the role Jan. 1; he'll succeed Ryan McKibben, who held the position since 2004 and who will become Clarity Media's company chairman, Clarity officials announced.

Reen will remain as publisher of The Denver Gazette, the online newspaper with a focus on Denver-area news, sports and entertainment that Clarity launched in September and whose development Reen had overseen. He also will continue as publisher of The Gazette in Colorado Springs, which Clarity also owns.

Over a 30-year media industry career, Reen, 52, has held executive positions in Oklahoma, New York, Pennsylvania and Florida.

Reen is immediate past president of the board of directors for America's Newspapers, the leading national trade association of the newspaper industry.

He had been president of the Oklahoma City-based Oklahoman Media Co. and publisher of The Oklahoman newspaper in September 2011 before it was purchased by the Anschutz Corp. of Denver, which owns Clarity Media.

Reen remained with the Anschutz Corp. after it sold the Oklahoma companies in late 2018. He became publisher of The Gazette in Colorado Springs in February 2019 and added the role of Denver Gazette publisher when it was started three months ago.

"I am proud to be stepping into this role as our team is in the midst of creating tremendous growth in the delivery and business of journalism," Reen said in a statement about his new position as Clarity's president and CEO. "Clarity Media Group's news outlets are known for our talented professionals who are unmistakably dedicated to delivering award-winning journalism and innovation."

Clarity Media Group owns and publishes newspapers, magazines and digital news. In addition to The Gazette in Colorado Springs and The Denver Gazette, its media outlets include Colorado Politics, Out There Colorado and the Washington Examiner.

Under McKibben's 16 years as head of Clarity Media, the company made a number of advancements, including an expansion of the Washington Examiner; Clarity transformed it from a weekly, beltway-focused newspaper to a national political magazine and website.

Clarity also has grown its presence in Colorado. In 2012, it acquired The Gazette in Colorado Springs. Since then, it's added Colorado Politics, Out There Colorado and the recently launched Denver Gazette.

"I am confident in Chris assuming the helm of Clarity Media Group," McKibben said. "Our business is leading a bold new path forward for high-quality, award-winning journalism and Chris possesses the perfect experience and vision to lead us into the future."

Chris Reen, Clarity Media Group, The Denver Gazette, Colorado Springs Gazette