Dan Cochell

Dan Cochell is a Colorado broadcaster, news anchor, program director, station operator and journalism educator whose career has spanned nearly four decades. A Colorado Springs native, Cochell has worked extensively in Southern and southeastern Colorado radio as well as at KOA in Denver.

Early career and Southern Colorado

Cochell began his broadcasting career in the late 1980s. By the 1990s he was a radio personality in southeastern Colorado, where his family lived in the Lamar area. He later returned to Colorado Springs and worked briefly at PEAK-FM before joining KRDO NewsRadio in 2005.

KRDO NewsRadio

Cochell became a familiar voice on KRDO 1240 AM/105.5 FM, working as a morning news anchor, promotions director and later on KRDO‘s Drive Home. In 2010, KRDO‘s Drive Home with Cochell and Greg Neft placed second in a Colorado Springs local talk-radio personality vote. Cochell was named Best Radio Personality in the Colorado Springs Gazette‘s Best of the Springs 2012 awards. His first KRDO tenure ended in April 2012 after six years with the station.

KREL 1580

Later in 2012, Cochell returned to radio through KREL 1580 AM. His DC Enterprises operated the station’s local Colorado Springs programming under an arrangement with owner Pilgrim Communications. Cochell served in leadership at the operation, which branded itself as Real Radio 1580, and developed a local news-and-talk format alongside syndicated programming. He also served as a broadcast voice for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

KOA and education

Cochell later spent more than two years as a news anchor at Denver’s KOA 850 and contributed Broncos halftime updates. At the same time, education became another major part of his career. He taught broadcasting and journalism at Falcon Middle School in District 49, eventually combining the two professions by broadcasting KRDO programs from a fully equipped studio in his classroom.

Return to KRDO

Cochell returned to KRDO NewsRadio in January 2021 as afternoon news host, airing weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m. In 2024 he was named Program Director of KRDO NewsRadio while continuing his on-air work. By 2025, KRDO described him as a longtime radio anchor and noted that he had returned to the station’s newsroom and programming leadership.

KLMR and southeastern Colorado

In 2022, Cochell and his family became involved in the effort to restore heritage Lamar stations KLMR-AM and KLMR-FM through Riverside Communications. As general manager, Cochell helped rebuild the operation around local news and community service. He hosted the live local talk programAnything Goes, which he could originate remotely from Colorado Springs.

Community service and recognition

Community service has been a recurring part of Cochell’s broadcasting career. His charitable projects have raised substantial funds for Southern Colorado organizations, including more than $100,000 through his “Up for Down Syndrome” campaign. On August 4, 2025, the City of Colorado Springs officially proclaimed Dan Cochell Day, recognizing his journalism, civic engagement and charitable work.

Where is he now?

As of 2026: Cochell describes himself as happily retired from his longtime broadcasting career and has focused increasingly on painting, travel and other personal interests.

Sources

• KRDO — Dan Cochell biography (2011)
• The Gazette — Cochell, Neft out at KRDO Radio (2012)
• The Gazette — Cochell takes charge of KREL (2012)
• KRDO — Cochell returns to afternoons (2021)
• Plainsman Herald — Riverside Communications/KLMR purchase (2022)
• Radio Ink — KLMR local-radio interview (2023)
• Barrett Media — Cochell named KRDO Program Director (2024)
• KRDO — Dan Cochell Day (2025)