KGNU

KGNU (1390 AM/88.5 FM) is a community radio station for Boulder and Denver, Colorado, USA. KGNU is owned by Boulder Community Broadcast Association, Inc.

Programming and operations

KGNU's programming follows a variety (US Radio) radio format, featuring a mix of music, news and information. Local shows are hosted by volunteers. The station also carries syndicated programs distributed by Public Radio International, Pacifica Radio and BBC World Service.

The station has four full-time staff members, five part-time staff members, and more than 200 volunteers who besides producing and hosting shows, play a major part in the station's operations. As of 2008, KGNU had an operating budget of $675,000, two-thirds of which was raised through listener contributions.

KGNU is a member of the Grassroots Radio Coalition. The station helped found the coalition in 1996 out of its commitment to a community radio model based on volunteers, access to the airwaves and alternative programming.

History

The idea for starting KGNU stemmed from a class in 1973 at the Boulder Free School called "A Desperate (or Last Ditch) Attempt to Start a Radio Station". In 1975, a core group from the class formed the community radio broadcast association as a nonprofit corporation and applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for an educational broadcast license. KGNU went on the air at 88.5 FM with a 1300-watt transmitter on May 22, 1978.