March 26, 2025
On Wednesday, a congressional subcommittee on Delivering on Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) called for elimination of funding to public broadcasting. Much of the debate about public media has been focused on eliminating funding to NPR and PBS. The reality of a loss of federal funding would be to weaken or shutter locally owned independent stations particularly in remote and rural communities.
In addition to CPR, over a dozen public radio and public television stations in Colorado rely on this funding to deliver news and information to communities around the state. There is nothing partisan about a Colorado Postcard illuminating our state’s history; a real-time tornado warning; informing parents of a delay in the start of the school day during a winter storm; or information about a fast moving wildfire threatening lives and property. In parts of Colorado, public radio is the only available, free, over the air broadcast service delivering this information.
Public broadcasting is not a niche service in Colorado. During the 2024 election season more than 3 million people visited CPR’s resources for state and local ballot information.
Every dollar of federal support to CPR from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is matched by $15 from the communities we serve. This broad base of support comes from every county in Colorado.
We exist because we’re here for all Coloradans. We will continue to be here because of their support.
