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KGNU Radio Week Underscores the Importance of Community Radio

"In a time when public media funding is under threat, Radio Week is more than a celebration — it’s a reminder of what’s at stake."
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KGNU Radio Week includes events throughout the third week of May. OCV PHOTO on Unsplash
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When KGNU Community Radio celebrated its 45th anniversary two years ago, we called the station "one of the most unlikely success stories in Colorado." It was launched in 1978 from a small, three-room portion of Boulder Harvest House; now, the independent station has two studios and dial positions in Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins and Nederland.

Last year, Boulder City Council recognized the week of May 22 as KGNU Radio Week, celebrating the community radio station for its decades of programming. And from Saturday, May 18, to Saturday, May 24, KGNU Radio Week will return with several events across the Front Range, special on-air features throughout the week, live broadcasts and more. A new aspect of the celebration this year will be "Days of Action," which will highlight what listeners can do to bolster the station's success and existence.

"KGNU Radio Week is our chance to showcase the incredible range of what KGNU offers: eclectic and diverse sounds, local stories and voices, and the vital work we do with community partners," says Indra Raj, KGNU's music director. "It’s a celebration of everything that makes our airwaves a true reflection of the people we serve."

Events include a live broadcast on Monday, May 19, at Wax Trax's Broadway Bazaar in Denver (200 South Broadway), with Iris Berkeley spinning vinyl from noon to 3 p.m. On Wednesday, May 21, from 3:30 to 7 p.m., there will be a live broadcast from the Boulder Farmers Market, showcasing live performances from Mollie O'Brien and Rich Moore, Alexa Wildish, Sarah Banker, Patrick Dethlefs and more.

KGNU will celebrate its 47th birthday at its studios at 4700 Walnut Street, Boulder, from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, May 22, when visitors can enjoy coffee, cake and a tour of the station. The party will continue at the Velvet Elk Lounge that evening from 6:30 to 10 p.m., with KGNU DJs spinning tunes and a silent auction. From 6 to 9 p.m. the next evening, listeners are invited to a rooftop happy hour at the station's Denver studio (2101 Arapahoe Street), where there will be food from Joy's Kitchen and KGNU DJs providing the music.

The week will wrap up with a live broadcast from noon to 6 p.m. at the Boulder Creek Festival, which will highlight live sets from TerraSonic with Joel Davis, Reggae Bloodlines with Donovan Makha, and African Roots with DJ Soul Rock.

Raj tells us that this year's KGNU Radio Week is particularly important in light of President Donald Trump's May 1 order to cease federal funding to NPR and PBS.

"In a time when public media funding is under threat, KGNU Radio Week is more than a celebration — it’s a reminder of what’s at stake," she says. "KGNU plays a crucial role in sharing local stories, supporting independent artists and building community. This week demonstrates the power and impact of grassroots media when it's supported, protected and allowed to thrive."

Learn more about KGNU Radio Week at kgnu.org.