KHEN 106.9 FM Salida is a true grassroots community radio station. Started in February of 2003, KHEN has grown from a small studio to a station with an actual home in downtown Salida. With 30 local music shows each week and 7 locally produced podcasts, KHEN has your listening needs covered. This year marks our 20th anniversary on the air.
Individual donations make up the vast majority of our income. In an era of corporate monopolies of the airwaves, we hope you will contribute to keeping local, non-profit, REAL radio and podcasts alive in rural Colorado!
"KHEN radio station is the true voice of Salida. No commercial motives taint the programming of music and community information offered on 106.9 FM. The strong effort to continue to expand Khen as a news and information source is an illustration of the radio station's Staff and Board's drive for constant improvement. Any help of any kind that can be offered to this community resource would be a great thing." - Chuck Rose, former Mayor of Salida 2007-2011
"We appreciate KHEN’s community spirit. And we enjoy how you never quite know what you’re going to be getting. Always grateful!" - Rand Hill
"Public radio is the best source for getting the community's voice heard." - Dana Wilson
"Love you guys almost as much as coffee!!!!! especially live DJ's!" - Clark Roberts
KHEN 106.9 FM is a volunteer-supported community radio station and media platform committed to:
Building community through programming, education, and engagement. Community Radio...You Belong
On February 1, 2003, KHEN aired its first full day of broadcasting with 18 programmers and samples of flagship syndicated programs. We had to work with a 1960's vintage mixing console, old home-quality components (CD players, turntables, cassette player), a mike arm fashioned from a dentist's chair component, four old Hi-Fi receivers used in place of phono preamps, on-air monitor and speaker amplifier. The antenna was placed on the roof of KHEN's one-story building.
By 2004, a tower was built atop Tenderfoot Mountain for a much-improved signal. Now, listeners can stream KHEN online from anywhere in the world!
KHEN operates with a volunteer Board of Directors, 2 part-time staff members, and an Executive Director, largely because of fundraising efforts and community support. Salida, a town of only 5,000 people, is proud to present volunteer-based radio programming, from our dedicated on-air personalities. Our DJ's have the freedom to present programs with creativity, independence, and passion within FCC and station guidelines.
KHEN is also proud to present The Salida Music Scene! This live music schedule has become the go-to document for what is happening in town each week.
Our volunteers collect, organize, and present this schedule in an accessible format. The Music Scene can be found online at khen.org, on our social media platforms, and in print hanging in shops, restaurants, and bulletin boards all over town.
To celebrate our 20th Anniversary, KHEN presented Chickenstock! A day of music, food, and fun in Riverside park here in Salida. Seven acts graced the stage for the community to enjoy.
Whiskey On The Rocks and The Salida Moth were also well received. Combined these events were enjoyed by over 300 people in our community!
Visit khen.org to learn about all our community outreach, events, and opportunities to volunteer with us!
Organization name
KHEN Radio 106.9
other names
KHEN Radio
2003
Tax id (EIN)
80-0027824
Category
Public & Societal Benefit
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
123 E. 3rd StMailing
P.O.Box 596Chaffee County, CO, US