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A profile on Colorado Public Radio
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Maybe you don’t know the Denver radio station KCFR by its call letters. But, if you’re at all familiar with National Public Radio’s programming, then you know 90.1 FM is Denver’s home for shows like Prairie Home Companion, Fresh Air, and Car Talk.
NPR (National Public Radio) was created in 1970 after then-President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. Programming was distributed around national airwaves via 90 charter member stations. Throughout the 1970’s and the early 1980’s, funding for the stations was collected from the federal government. Since then, NPR has tried to lessen government support, instead opting to make more than half of its money from the fees charged to member stations.
Currently, NPR has nearly 800 stations across the country, broadcasting news and cultural programming.
One of their nationally syndicated shows is the long-running All Things Considered. The show first aired on May 3, 1971. In 1993, the award-winning show became the first public radio program to be inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. The show covers anything, as the name suggests, from politics to entertainment to social issues. Morning Edition has been the station’s national morning news program since November 5, 1979. News reporters on the show include award-winning journalists Cokie Roberts and former ABC anchor and Nightline host Ted Koppel. Only The Rush Limbaugh Show attracts more radio listeners than Morning Edition.
Other NPR programming aired on Colorado Public Radio includes the live radio variety show A Prairie Home Companion and Fresh Air. Prairie Home and its host Garrison Keillor have been on the air since 1974. Fresh Air features interviews, usually from people in the arts and entertainment industries. Car Talk features car repair advice, while Talk of the Nation focuses on current events and issues. The station also simulcasts BBC World Service, usually after 9pm.
On the weekend, NPR has two news and quiz shows. On Saturday, Public Radio International’s Whad’Ya Know? and Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! air on Saturdays. This American Life, which airs on Saturdays and Sundays, is an hour-long program that features essays, memoirs, and non-fiction programming.
Denver’s NPR member station, KCFR, produces its own show – Colorado Matters. It’s a daily interview show which focuses on government, education, environment, health, business, economics, science, technology, arts, and culture.
KCFR (Colorado Free Radio) began broadcasting within Denver city limits back in 1970. The station was originally owned by the University of Denver. In 1973, KCFR started carrying National Public Radio programming. In 1984, KCFR’s ownership was switched from the University of Denver to a community board of directors. Meanwhile, also in 1984, on the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains, KPRN Grand Junction began broadcasting. In 1991, KCFR and KPRN merged to form what is now known as Colorado Public Radio.
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