KRFC
Encyclopedia
KRFC is a community-based
, radio station
located in Fort Collins, Colorado
, USA
. The station is owned and operated
by Public Radio for the Front Range. The station's programming is for the most part, with the exception of several syndicated shows, composed of volunteer DJs of various genres, and has a creative format. Although similar in funding strategies to a traditional public radio station, KRFC is not a member of any of the major networks such as NPR
or Pacifica
.
. DJs who were not students were forced to leave after KCSU-FM's underwriter, Colorado State University
, decided to make KCSU-FM solely student-run. In September 1995, PRFR was given IRS 501(C)(3) non-profit status.
By the summer of 1996, PRFR had applied for a construction permit for 88.9 MHz, only to be challenged by several Christian broadcasting groups. In 1997, PRFR went into negotiations with Colorado Christian University
to share 88.9 MHz. These negotiations failed, and in the spring of 1998, PRFR applied for 89.7 MHz. In 2000, the group applied for a frequency in the low-power jurisdiction; another Christian group applied for the same frequency, leading to delay.
Finally, after successful negotiations, PRFR came into agreement with the other applicants that they would receive 88.9 MHz. The agreement was submitted to the FCC
on July 7, 2002, the FCC
granted PRFR a construction permit for a 3,000 watt
non-commercial
radio station
. KRFC began broadcasting on March 1, 2003.
Today, KRFC has grown, and in 2004, completed the construction and expansion of its studios. Its facilities include three separate studios, all of which have the ability to broadcast live. Volunteers continue to make up the majority of KRFC's workforce, with the exception of 4 office employees: Kristen Rasmussen, Development Director; Andrea Bradstreet, Volunteer Coordinator; John Hayes, Program Director; and Brian Hughes, Station Manager (Exec. Dir. for the non-profit).
The most recent pledge drive in October 2010 earned $32,000 for the station, but it was shy of the goal. Bigelow has recently been directed by the board of directors to determine if a change in format for the radio station is feasible and if it would potentially bolster fund raising efforts. The plan on the table is having KRFC focus more on Colorado-based music and programming. With the move of individuals to the Internet for music, local programming is a niche market that could make KRFC a valuable commodity for the music community, playing music that individuals do not hear elsewhere.
Community radio
Community radio is a type of radio service, that offers a third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting. Community stations can serve geographic communities and communities of interest...
, radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
located in Fort Collins, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The station is owned and operated
Owned-and-operated station
In the broadcasting industry , an owned-and-operated station usually refers to a television station or radio station that is owned by the network with which it is associated...
by Public Radio for the Front Range. The station's programming is for the most part, with the exception of several syndicated shows, composed of volunteer DJs of various genres, and has a creative format. Although similar in funding strategies to a traditional public radio station, KRFC is not a member of any of the major networks such as NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
or Pacifica
Pacifica Radio
Pacifica Radio is the oldest public radio network in the United States. It is a group of five independently operated, non-commercial, listener-supported radio stations that is known for its progressive/liberal political orientation. It is also a program service supplying over 100 affiliated...
.
History
Public Radio for the Front Range (PRFR) was started by a group of former DJs from KCSU-FMKCSU-FM
KCSU-FM is Colorado State University's non-commercial, student-run, campus radio station licensed to Fort Collins, Colorado. KCSU broadcasts at 10,000 watts reaching south to Greeley and Loveland and north to about the Wyoming border. KCSU also streams their broadcast online from their...
. DJs who were not students were forced to leave after KCSU-FM's underwriter, Colorado State University
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
, decided to make KCSU-FM solely student-run. In September 1995, PRFR was given IRS 501(C)(3) non-profit status.
By the summer of 1996, PRFR had applied for a construction permit for 88.9 MHz, only to be challenged by several Christian broadcasting groups. In 1997, PRFR went into negotiations with Colorado Christian University
Colorado Christian University
Colorado Christian University is a private, interdenominational Christian liberal arts university in Lakewood, Colorado in the United States...
to share 88.9 MHz. These negotiations failed, and in the spring of 1998, PRFR applied for 89.7 MHz. In 2000, the group applied for a frequency in the low-power jurisdiction; another Christian group applied for the same frequency, leading to delay.
Finally, after successful negotiations, PRFR came into agreement with the other applicants that they would receive 88.9 MHz. The agreement was submitted to the FCC
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
on July 7, 2002, the FCC
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
granted PRFR a construction permit for a 3,000 watt
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
non-commercial
Non-commercial
Non-commercial refers to an activity or entity that does not in some sense involve commerce, at least relative to similar activities that do have a commercial objective or emphasis...
radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
. KRFC began broadcasting on March 1, 2003.
Today, KRFC has grown, and in 2004, completed the construction and expansion of its studios. Its facilities include three separate studios, all of which have the ability to broadcast live. Volunteers continue to make up the majority of KRFC's workforce, with the exception of 4 office employees: Kristen Rasmussen, Development Director; Andrea Bradstreet, Volunteer Coordinator; John Hayes, Program Director; and Brian Hughes, Station Manager (Exec. Dir. for the non-profit).
2010
The community radio station has hit hard times. Volunteer dj's still program music and public affairs shows, but some jobs have been cut. The current staff is made up of two full-time employees: interim station manager Dennis Bigelow and development director Kristen Rasmussen. Andrea Bradstreet serves as volunteer coordinator part-time. The news director and music director positions have been cut.The most recent pledge drive in October 2010 earned $32,000 for the station, but it was shy of the goal. Bigelow has recently been directed by the board of directors to determine if a change in format for the radio station is feasible and if it would potentially bolster fund raising efforts. The plan on the table is having KRFC focus more on Colorado-based music and programming. With the move of individuals to the Internet for music, local programming is a niche market that could make KRFC a valuable commodity for the music community, playing music that individuals do not hear elsewhere.