KRFC

Infobox Radio Station


name = KRFC-FM
airdate = March 1, 2003
frequency = 88.9 (MHz)
city = Fort Collins, Colorado
area = Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland
format = Community Radio
owner = N/A
erp = 3000 watts
branding = KRFC Homegrown Radio
slogan = Community Radio For Northern Colorado
class = A
website = [http://www.krfcfm.org www.krfcfm.org]
callsign_meaning =

KRFC-FM is a community-based, grassroots radio station located in Fort Collins, Colorado, in the United States. Broadcasting on 88.9 MHz FM, 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 an overall loose 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.

Early years

Before KRFC itself began broadcasting, it was preceded by PRFR, or Public Radio for the Front Range, a group of former KCSU DJs. After KCSU's underwriter, Colorado State University, decided to make KCSU solely student-run, various DJs who were not students were forced to leave. 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 the frequency 88.9, only to be challenged by several Christian broadcasting groups. In 1997, PRFR went into negotiations with Colorado Christian University to share the 88.9 frequency. These negotiations failed, and in the spring of 1998, PRFR applied for the 89.7 frequency. In 2000, the group applied for a frequency in the low-power jurisdiction; another Christian group applied for the same frequency, leading to delay. cite news |first=Michael |last=Roberts |title=Frequency Free-for-All |url=http://www.westword.com/2001-10-11/news/frequency-free-for-all/full |work=Denver Westword |date=11 October 2001 |accessdate=2007-03-18 ]

Finally, after successful negotiations, PRFR came into agreement with applicants that they would receive the 88.9 frequency. 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. cite web |url=http://krfcfm.org/who/ |title=About KRFC |accessdate=2007-03-18 |format=html |work=KRFC - Homegrown radio for Northern Colorado ]

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 four office employees: Carole Lundgren, Development Coordinator; Brian Hughes, Volunteer Coordinator; Dennis Bigelow, Music Director & Live@Lunch Coordinator; and David Peterson, News Coordinator.cite web |url=http://krfcfm.org/contact/ |title=Contact KRFC |accessdate=2007-03-18 |format=html |work=KRFC - Homegrown radio for Northern Colorado ] cite news |first=Stacy |last=Nick |title=Happy birthday, KRFC! |url=http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007703090304 |work=Fort Collins Coloradoan |date=8 March 2007 |accessdate=2007-03-18 ] In March 2007, station manager Beth Flowers announced her resigation for health reasons, cite news |first=Pat |last=Ferrier |title=KRFC manager resigns; plans to volunteer |url=http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007703090304 |work=Fort Collins Coloradoan |date=18 March 2007 |accessdate=2007-03-18 ] and a search for a new station manager is currently in progress.cite web |url=http://krfcfm.org/boardletter.html |title=KRFC 2006 Strategic Plan |accessdate=2007-04-07 |format=html |work=KRFC - Homegrown radio for Northern Colorado ]

In early 2006, the KRFC board, in a public process with input from several hundred community members, revised the station's mission statement, expanding it into three parts: a mission statement, a vision statement, and a values statement.cite web |url=http://krfcfm.org/who/newmission.html |title=New Mission, Vision, and Values statements adopted |accessdate=2007-04-07 |format=html |work=KRFC - Homegrown radio for Northern Colorado ] Following a change in the station's mission statement, a small group of KRFC members, concerned that the original intent of the station was not being preserved, organized to form a group called "Open KRFC."cite web |url=http://openkrfc.org/ourStory.php |title=Our Story |accessdate=2007-03-18 |format=html |work=Open KRFC ] Open KRFC, now known as "Save Grassroots Radio!,"cite web |url=http://savegrassrootsradio.org/recent.php |title=what's happening? |accessdate=2007-04-07 |format=html |work=SaveGrassrootsRadio ] has accused KRFC management and board of being unresponsive to community concerns, of moving away from a democratic form of organization, and of dismissing station volunteers without due process,cite web |url=http://openkrfc.org/ |title=home |accessdate=2007-03-18 |format=html |work=Open KRFC ] and, on a different matter, has threatened legal action against the station. KRFC managers have responded that changes were necessary in order to acquire grants and that the new mission statement is more effective in communicating the station's mission, was created with greater public input, and clearly conveys the station's values.cite web |url=http://krfcfm.org/who/newmission.html |title=New Mission, Vision, and Values statements adopted |accessdate=2007-04-07 |format=html |work=KRFC - Homegrown radio for Northern Colorado ] After unsuccessful attempts at mediation, the KRFC Board ultimately came to the conclusion that a divorce was necessary and decided to "separate and move on" from the conflict.cite news |first=Andra |last=Coberly |title=Battle Stations |url=http://www.fortcollinsweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=551&Itemid=35 |work=Fort Collins Weekly |date=13 March 2007 |accessdate=2007-03-18 ] .

References

See also

*KGNU

External links

* [http://www.krfcfm.org KRFC Homepage]