Greeley-based KUNC on Monday switched its main 91.5 FM frequency to an all-news-and- information format, and introduced an all-popular-music service branded as The Colorado Sound at 105.5 FM. [Chris K: Take note!]
KUNC previously alternated between news and music at 91.5 FM.
105.5 FM used to be the Denver-area channel for ESPN. Front Range Sports Network agreed to sell the signal to KUNC in December; ESPN Denver is now heard on 1600 AM, a sister station of FM signal Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan. Those stations are properties of Salt Lake City-based Bonneville International Corp.
The 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. period on KUNC that used to feature music will now offer the programs “On Point,” hosted by Tom Ashbrook; “The Takeaway,” with John Hockenberry; and the “Fresh Air” interview show with Terry Gross.
The Colorado Sound will “play a combination of emerging and established artists, blending rock, blues, soul and more, reflecting Colorado’s unique lifestyle. Music from Colorado artists past and present will be prominently featured,” KUNC said.
It said the station purchase was made possible through “a major gift from Amy and Paul Hach, along with station reserves and financing.”
KUNC repeater signals 102.7 in Boulder and 91.7 in Golden will broadcast the news-and- information service across parts of metro Denver.
The station was founded at the University of Northern Colorado in 1967 and is now owned by Community Radio for Northern Colorado.
Another Colorado broadcaster — Centennial-based Colorado Public Radio — offers news, classical music and popular music on three separate signals. CPR’s OpenAir station launched in 2011.
By Mark Harden | News Director, Denver Business Journal
Mark Harden directs print and digital news content for the Denver Business Journal, contributes to the “17th & Lincoln” blog and compiles the daily “Afternoon Edition” email. Email: mharden@bizjournals.com. Phone: 303-803-9227.
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PRIVATE POT CLUBS SOUGHT IN DENVER GROUP’S INITIATIVE
Denver NORML says in new initiative summary that it also would allow for consumption at some special events Denver pro-marijuana activists who hope to persuade city voters to legalize private pot clubs took the first step Monday by filing notice with the City Council.
But a council attorney says that to kick off a required review process, Denver NORML still must file a draft of its actual proposed ordinance language, rather than the single-page summary it provided that outlines the intended scope.
Ahead of the November election, the activist group has indicated it will pursue a narrow scope. Its proposed ballot measure would allow for the opening of private, bring-your-own-cannabis clubs that could not serve alcohol or food and would allow entry to people 21 or older, as some smaller towns in Colorado have allowed.
The initiative also would allow organizers of special events to seek a permit that allows consumption of marijuana on site.
That scope is more limited than the intent of a yanked initiative sought last year by other activists. Their proposal was to allow consumption of cannabis at bars and other businesses that opted in. But the group pulled the initiative just before qualifying for the ballot after city officials as well as hotel and restaurant industry groups agreed to discuss potential compromises.
Those talks have yet to yield a public proposal.
Since then, the recently formed affiliate of NORML, which stands for National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, has picked up the ball in an attempt to take the issue to voters soon.
“Denver residents and visitors alike need places other than private homes to legally and responsibly enjoy legal marijuana with other adults,” Jordan Person, executive director of Denver NORML, said in a news release Monday. “… What can’t continue is the current situation that leaves so many people frustrated, angry and tempted to violate the law so they can enjoy a legal product.”
David Broadwell, an assistant city attorney, said he would start reviewing the proposal once he receives ordinance language. That includes asking legal questions and making suggestions before organizers finalize the proposal, file it with the Denver Elections Division and begin collecting nearly 5,000 petition signatures.
“We’re waiting to see the text, but it does appear to be narrower than the proposal we reviewed last summer,” Broadwell said.
At the state Capitol, state Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, is preparing a bill that would tackle the issue statewide from a different angle. It would allow recreational stores to create a separate tasting room of sorts where customers could consume products purchased on site.
By Jon Murray, The Denver Post
Jon Murray: 303-954-1405, jmurray@denverpost.com or @JonMurray
http://www.thecannabist.co/2016/02/29/denver-pot-clubs-social-marijuana-norml/49312/
[Thank you to Alex Teitz, http://www.femmusic.com, for contributing this article.]