Summit Public Radio (SPR) has been around for around 20 years. But, only in the past seven or so has the public actually become a large part of this public radio enclave. SPR is not a radio station. It's actually a rebroadcaster. Because of Summit County's location among mountain valleys, it's difficult to receive signals from over the mountains. So, some of the innovators who live here found the imagination and initiative to install equipment high atop Baldy Mountains to act as a repeater of the signals. The original group was actually a few volunteers at the Red, White and Blue Fire Department in Breckenridge, who wanted to receive KBCO, a well known rock station from Boulder, Colorado. The organization limped along with a couple of public radio station for years. Then, a few years ago, a passionate local decided she could help bring new life to the organization. Marsha Cooper took the reins and in the past few years has brought several hundred members, a healthy budget (supported by member dues), updated equipment and a couple dozen board members and volunteers to the fray. SPR is now a vibrant organization, well known in the community, with new and newer equipment, a newsletter, annual hikes and a number of music events each year. Its channels are full, all that the FCC will allow. In fact, its success has brought out some fairly aggressive competition. One Front Range radio company has made a proposal to replace a longstanding station on the air. And the board is now restling with a decision, one based on bringing the best service to its listeners. What is clear is that SPR is valuable. Input from its listeners indicates that SPR is here to stay. |
Email Me
