Colorado public broadcasters explore merger
Rocky Mountain Public Media in Denver and the operator of KUNC in Greeley, Colo., have signed a nonbinding agreement to explore a merger, the stations announced on their websites Friday.
The nonprofit organization Community Radio for Northern Colorado operates KUNC and The Colorado Sound, a music station. RMPM consists of Rocky Mountain PBS, KUVO Jazz and The Drop 104.7, an Urban Alternative music station.
The agreement is “not a formal merger agreement yet, but a process to determine how the two organizations can work together more effectively and efficiently while protecting and expanding local services,” the announcement said.
The organizations say that if the merger goes through, they will share operational resources in areas such as finance, fundraising and human resources. They also said there are no plans to reduce staff as part of the merger. The stations will remain locally owned and supported, according to the release.
“KUNC and The Colorado Sound will continue their history of service to Northern Colorado and now have an opportunity for that service and our community connections to grow and deepen,” KUNC CEO Tammy Terwelp said in the release. “We remain committed to our audience and supporters. This potential merger allows public media to be stronger and more resilient for all.”
The organizations said that last year’s rescission of federal funding for public media “created a unique challenge” and that the partnership would give the stations “an opportunity to strengthen the ecosystem while remaining deeply rooted in the communities they serve.”
Community Radio for Northern Colorado received grants from CPB totaling $336,503 in fiscal year 2024, more than 5% of its revenue. In September, KUNC laid off more than 20% of its staff, citing financial challenges.
RMPM reported that it received more than $3 million in CPB grants in FY25, more than 12% of its revenue.
“RMPM has always been committed to strengthening the civic fabric of Colorado,” RMPM CEO Amanda Mountain said in the release. “Through collaboration and innovation, we are confident this merger would keep public media centered on the communities we serve while expanding the public trust and connecting Coloradans to each other in ways that build bridges.”
Meanwhile, KUNC is planning a move from its Greeley headquarters to a $3.5 million facility in Fort Collins.
“Thanks to a generous donor, we have secured a no-cost 10-year lease in their new facility in downtown Fort Collins,” Terwelp said. “Greeley will continue to be an important community of coverage for our newsroom around issues our residents care about. We are embarking on a campaign for new facilities, not shrinking from our challenges, but rising up to meet the operational needs to fulfill our mission of service to our communities.”
