KVNF (North Fork Valley Public Radio)

Background Statement

Founded in 1979, KVNF is a rural service providing public radio programming for the Western Slope of Colorado. Starting with 10 watts of power in a garage on a mesa overlooking the town of Paonia, KVNF has grown to serve 6 rural counties with two transmitters and five translators and thousands of watts of power.

Programming on KVNF includes local, regional and national news (NPR). A robust local news effort has developed over the last 15 years. In addition to the news efforts KVNF has created a signature musical sound characterized by wide ranging multiple genre music shows which are programmed by community volunteers.

Trainings for music show hosts happen every other month at the KVNF studios.A full member of National Public Radio, KVNF airs Morning Edition and All Things Considered daily, as well as independent news and media analysis programming such as Left, Right and Center and Counterspin. KVNF is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.

There are five full time employees and three part time employees who keep KVNF running 24/7. With an annual operating budget of just over $560,000 a year, KVNF receives its revenues from three primary sources: membership donations, underwriting, and grants.