Why You Should Support KFFR

Why Support KFFR

The mission of Fraser Valley Community Media/KFFR is to support local culture and public safety through independent community access radio that connects Grand County residents and visitors to one another and the world.  Within this mission, FVCM has identified the following goals that achieve this mission:

• KFFR supports the local economy by serving local groups, artists, non-profits, educational institutions and businesses. The station airs a robust weekly community calendar and interviews people involved with local music and cultural events. 
• KFFR partners with municipalities and organizations to offer live remote broadcasts from concerts and events. 
• KFFR provides affordable outreach opportunities to local businesses and non-profit organizations through on-air underwriting and social media recognition.
• KFFR empowers local youth through internships, classroom partnerships and broadcast training.
• KFFR connects the local community by providing emergency response information, avalanche reports, weather, road conditions and breaking news every day.

Donations to Fraser Valley Community Media (FVCM) support these initiatives and ensure that public access community radio in Grand County continues to bring the local community together, offers an outlet for creative expression, and supports a vibrant democracy throughout the county. 

OUR HISTORY

FVCM was founded in 2007 to apply for a full-power, noncommercial educational (NCE) FM radio license initiated by founder, Denis Moynihan. FVCM became operational with full-power transmission on a temporary tower in April, 2015, and sought a Special Use Permit (SUP) from Grand County to erect a broadcast tower that would support KFFR’s transmission in Winter Park. 

From 2018 to 2022, FVCM operated with a small staff that included contracting with 45-year radio professional Steve Skinner, who organized a substantial amount of volunteer labor to get the station broadcasting. By August 2018, there were 10 regular announcers on the air every week.  In the Fall of 2021, KFFR began broadcasting from a new studio built by volunteers and a $250,000 grant secured by Denis Moynihan. 

In July 2022, KFFR hired Ryan Wilson as an Underwriting Specialist, and he was promoted to Executive Director in January 2023.  Today, FVCM operates with 2.5 staff members, over 50 volunteers, and a 7 person board of directors. In 2024 KFFR is thriving and looking to expand its broadcast signal throughout the entire county by the end of 2025.  

OUR WORK

KFFR has trained 126 volunteer DJs since 2017 ranging from middle school students to senior citizens. With these individuals at the helm, KFFR provides timely announcements, spotlights local non-profits and leaders, and produces a weekly community calendar that informs residents and visitors in Grand County of the opportunities available to them.

In addition to regular training for broadcast volunteers, KFFR hosts advanced training in production, teaches interview skills to local residents, and provides a place for hosting events at KFFR studios where fundraising information and local knowledge can be easily disseminated.  This same level of training is also offered to students in Grand County through the Homegrown Talent Initiative at West and East Grand High Schools.  With a fully operational student-run radio station, students are able to broadcast from the school online 24 hours a day.  

KFFR hosts community events, including candidate forums and ballot initiative discussions, that promote a thriving democracy. During emergencies like the pandemic and East Troublesome Fire, KFFR offered critical updates and resources, earning recognition from the Colorado Broadcaster’s Association.

Financially, FVCM continues to expand its budget year over year. Increased support from individual memberships, business underwriting, municipal support, and grant funding has resulted in a 20 to 30% increase in the operating budget every year since 2021.  

FVCM, through KFFR, plays a vital role in connecting and enriching our community while supporting the work of residents, municipalities and businesses throughout the county. 

KFFR is a beloved institution in this county, and any donation or partnership with our organization shows a commitment to expanding the voice of our community. 

– Ryan Wilson, M.A., M.Ed.
Executive Director of Fraser Valley Community Media