PBS12 is Colorado’s independent public media voice, connecting people and communities through storytelling that informs, inspires, and empowers.
Founded in 1980 as KBDI, “the beady eye,” PBS12 was created by a group of visionary Coloradans who believed in giving local voices a platform. Their spirit of fearless creativity led to groundbreaking programs such as Teletunes, a precursor to MTV; Home Movies, which anticipated the YouTube era; and Colorado Inside Out, one of the state’s longest-running public affairs shows.
Today, PBS12 continues that legacy through original productions, community partnerships, and statewide initiatives that highlight Colorado’s people, stories, and ideas, celebrating the spirit, creativity, and diversity that define our state.
At the heart of PBS12’s work are three pillars:
CONNECT – Portraits and human storytelling that reflect Colorado’s people, places, and shared experiences.
THINK – Informational and documentary programs that help viewers explore issues more deeply and understand their impact.
EMPOWER – Stories that spark dialogue, strengthen communities, and inspire meaningful action across Colorado.
PBS12 creates, curates, and distributes quality content that connects Coloradans with their world.
PBS12 was born in a garage in Broomfield, Colorado, out of a shared belief that local television could be more inclusive, more courageous, and more connected to the people it serves. Its founders, a coalition of citizens, activists, and media organizers, set out to create a station that would broaden public conversation and give Coloradans a platform to see themselves and their world from new perspectives.
In February 2025, PBS12 proudly celebrated 45 years of service to Colorado. That same founding spirit continues to shape everything the station does today. PBS12 remains deeply committed to expanding access across every platform, building meaningful partnerships in communities across the state, and elevating the stories that reflect Colorado’s character, creativity, and shared identity.
PBS12 welcomes every opinion, every voice, and every idea. It stands as a uniquely Colorado institution where curiosity leads to understanding, where diverse experiences inspire connection, and where storytelling brings people together across the mountains, plains, and cities we all call home.
Organization name
PBS12
other names
PBS 12, PBS, CPT12, KBDI, Channel 12, Colorado Public Television, Colorado Public Broadcasting, Colorado's Public Television Network, Colorado's Public Television, Public Broadcasting for Colorado, Public Television for Colorado,
1980
Tax id (EIN)
84-0723918
Category
Education
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
2900 Welton StDenver County, CO, US