KGNU (1390 AM) & KGNU-FM (88.5 FM) are a pair of community radio stations licensed to Denver and Boulder, Colorado respectively. KGNU is owned by Boulder Community Broadcast Association, Inc.[1]
1390 AM was first licensed on April 4, 1956, and held the call sign KFML.[2] It aired a classical music format and was simulcast on 98.5 KFML-FM.[3][4][5] It originally ran 1,000 watts during daytime hours only and was owned by Evert A. Bancker Jr.[2] In 1961, the station was sold to the Fine Arts Broadcasting Company, along with its FM sister station, for $118,720.[6][2] Its power was increased to 5,000 watts in 1964.[2] In 1966, it was sold, along with its FM sister station, to O'Fallon–O'Connor Broadcasting Inc. for $165,000.[7][2] In 1969, controlling interest was sold to Joseph R. McGoey for $96,250.[8]
In 1971, KFML adopted a progressive rock format.[9][10] In 1975, the station was sold to Radio Denver Corp. for $200,000.[11][2]
In 1982, the station was sold to Golden Bear Communications for $760,000.[12][13] The station adopted a jazz format, and its call sign was changed to KJJZ.[14][15][16] In 1984, the station's call sign was changed to KPPL and it adopted an urban contemporary format.[17][18] On July 31, 1985, Golden Bear Communications filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and on October 10, 1985, the proceeding was converted to Chapter 7.[19]
In 1987, the station was sold to Huttner Health Network for $265,000.[20][21] Its call sign was changed to KMDK, and it began airing a health-talk format branded "K-Medic".[22][23]
On June 13, 1988, its call sign was changed to KFTO, and on June 23, 1988, its call sign was changed to KDZR.[24] As KDZR, the station was initially an affiliate of Z Rock, airing a heavy metal/hard rock format.[23] On November 14, 1988, it adopted a business talk format and became an affiliate of the Business Radio Network.[25][26]
In 1989, the station's call sign was changed to KJME and it began airing a Spanish language format.[24][26][27][28] In 1990, KJME was sold to Jo-Mor Communications for $350,000.[29] In 1991, the station was fined $5,000 for operating at 450% in excess of its licensed power.[30]
KGNU-FM began broadcasting May 24, 1978.[18] In 2004, Boulder Community Broadcast Association purchased AM 1390 KJME in Denver for $4.1 million, and its call sign was changed to KGNU.[31][24]
In 2018, the station's 40th anniversary was commemorated by a six-week exhibit, "Listening Together", at the Museum of Boulder.[35] Beginning in 2019, the station embarked on a capital campaign to raise $1.25M, with an equal amount to be matched by the City of Boulder, as part of the voter-approved 2017 Community, Culture and Safety Tax.[36]
In the summer of 2010, KGNU-FM was granted permission to increase its FM transmitter power to 4,000 wattsERP. KGNU (AM) operates at 5,000 watts by day but must reduce power to 139 watts at night to protect other radio stations on 1390 kHz. The AM transmitter is in Englewood, Colorado off South Wyandot Street. The FM transmitter is in Louisville, Colorado near the Louisville Reservoir, on a tower 213 feet (65 meters) HAAT.[37] KGNU also operates a 28-watt FM translatorK229AC at 93.7 MHz in Nederland, Colorado,[38] and a 7-watt FM translator K254CH licensed to Laporte, Colorado, which simulcasts KGNU-FM on 98.7 MHz from Horsetooth Mountain west of Fort Collins.[39][40]
