Not a Grift — A Public Good: How Colorado Public Radio Serves Our Communities
In response to a recent article published on the official White House website titled “The NPR-PBS Grift Has Ripped Us Off For Too Long”, which tried to frame public media as a burden on taxpayers, we want to be clear about the independence and importance of public media. The reality in Colorado is very different. Less than five percent of Colorado Public Radio’s funding comes from federal sources, and CPR receives no funding from the state of Colorado.
Colorado Public Radio has spent more than half a century serving Coloradans with trusted news, lifesaving information, inspiring music and deep community engagement — all made possible not by corporate influence, but by tens of thousands of individual donors, foundations and sponsors across the state who believe in independent, non-commercial media.
Here’s a closer look at the value of public media in Colorado — a shared public good — and just a small window into the many ways CPR serves the state.
Holding Power to Account and Free of Influence
CPR’s independent journalism is free of corporate advertising or partisan agendas. Its accountability reporting makes real change in Colorado, acting as a watchdog on power and keeping Coloradans informed.
In 2025, CPR News broadcast live the governor's state of the state address, making the audio available to public radio stations across the state, and interviewed Republicans and Democrats after the speech. CPR has conducted regular interviews with every governor since the end of the Owens administration nearly 20 years ago.
In 2024, CPR News compiled a comprehensive voter guide that was accessed by half a million people across the state.
In 2024, CPR’s politics podcast “Purplish” researched the security measures that safeguard access to voting in Colorado.
In 2023 and 2024, CPR News spent almost a year connecting to teenagers, parents, doctors, advocates, researchers and political figures about the history of nicotine addiction and the money behind tobacco in Colorado.
In 2024, CPR News investigated how Colorado voting machine passwords ended up online and interviewed Secretary of State Jena Griswold for explanation.
In 2021, CPR News looked for answers about glitches in the ID.me system, which caused widespread disruption in the lives of people experiencing unemployment during the pandemic.
In 2021, CPR News investigated the causes of wildfires in Colorado. Most of the large, human-caused wildfires go unsolved in Colorado, which means fire starters are unaccountable, and policy makers are deprived of data to prevent fires in the future.
“We live in the mountains outside of Steamboat and spend a lot of time in the car commuting to town. CPR keeps us up to date on local, state, and international news and also provides great entertainment that keeps our brains invigorated!”- John, Clark, CO
“I watch several news broadcasts but find that CPR/NPR covers local and national news with facts and without the blatant bias of most others.” - Linda L, Meeker, CO
“As a teacher it is refreshing to hear non-partisan information and dialogue in a civilized manner. It is something I steer my students towards in being better informed citizens and voters.” - Tom, Northglenn, CO
“I appreciate the fair and unbiased reporting and trust what I hear on CPR to be just that. Even when I am annoyed with an opinion I don’t agree with on the air, I know you are right for helping me think through all sides!” - Terrie, Fort Collins, CO
Local Voices, Local Impact
Public media is not a monolith. Local organizations provide on-the-ground reporting that reflects their unique communities. At CPR this means covering what’s most relevant to Coloradans, in urban, rural and underserved areas.
In 2024, CPR News reached out to Colorado voters to find out what mattered most to them in the 2024 election cycle. Over 7,000 people from all corners of Colorado responded to the Voter Voices survey, sharing their concerns about the economy, climate and the environment, immigration and abortion.
In 2024, CPR News covered the rescue of 12 people trapped in the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Teller County.
In 2023, Denverite explained why Denver’s streets continued to get deadlier despite the city’s “Vision Zero” plan.
In 2023, CPR News produced a limited series exploring the drought issues of the Colorado River basin through stories of people who rely on the river and have ideas to save it.
In 2022, KRCC sought to answer Coloradans’ questions about their property tax bills. KRCC followed one homeowner’s quest for clarity from the Pueblo County assessor to the treasurer and the D60 Chief Financial Officer.
In 2021, CPR News met a man who bought land in Park County before he could afford to build a home. He gave a tour of his “hobbit house” and shed light on the expenses of the homebuilding infrastructure and housing crisis in Colorado.
“I am so grateful for the unbiased, well researched information I receive from CPR . I love the special series, the book talks, and virtually everything I hear. I love that my perspective is challenged. and I learn something new every day.” - Tracy D, Grand Junction, CO
“KRCC is the voice of sanity and truth in Southern Colorado. We appreciate many of the shows, all of the investigative reporting, and how lucky we are to live in its broadcasting range.” - Katy, Salida, CO
“I appreciate the non-sensationalized news coverage of the nation and the world, and I love the local Colorado coverage with which I continuously learn more about the current affairs and history of this state I love… I appreciate a news source that considers a variety of viewpoints on the issues, and helps me make more informed choices. Thank you for all that you do!”- David, Denver, CO
Feeding Curiosity and Building Community
CPR’s local presence and multimedia approach provides listeners and readers with memorable stories that feed their curiosity. This reporting crosses political and social barriers, bringing people closer to their neighbors.
In 2024, CPR News learned the history behind one of the country’s oldest drive-in theaters in Montrose.
In 2024, Denverite met two friends who are working to piece their life back together after struggling with addiction and unemployment.
In 2023, KRCC met a group of medieval armored battle enthusiasts in Black Forest.
In 2021, CPR launched Colorado Postcards, an initiative to share one-minute insights into Colorado’s people and places, flora and fauna, and past and present, from every corner of Colorado. More than 200 have been created so far, including several produced by elementary and middle school students.
Since 2018, CPR has sought to find answers to Coloradans’ burning questions through Colorado Wonders. Hundreds of stories have covered everything from Colorado fashion faux pas to the state’s unpredictable weather.
“Colorado public radio is important to bringing our community together." - Charles, Castle Pines, CO
“Every day, CPR Classical inspires and CPR News informs me; I am enriched in every sense of the word! I would feel lost without Colorado Public Radio.” - Maureen, Denver, CO
“Trustworthy reporting, and stories which cover multiple sides to a story are strengths of CPR. The stories from Colorado create an ever richer tapestry of understanding my home. As a native to the state, I'm delighted to keep hearing about things new to me!”- Regan, Hotchkiss, CO
Public Safety, Emergency Coverage, and Essential Information
It is not uncommon for public media organizations to be the sole or primary source of emergency alerts and life-saving information in rural or remote areas. CPR frequently provides such alerts, as well as wildfire coverage and public health information that is a lifeline for listeners across the state.
Since 2020, CPR News has maintained a COVID-19 dashboard to keep Coloradans informed of crucial updates. The page contains the most recent metrics of hospitalizations and wastewater testing to understand what the virus is doing in Colorado.
In 2024, CPR News provided daily updates and coverage of the Alexander Mountain Fire: containment, evacuation orders, local resources and more.
Starting in 2021 and continuing through 2024, CPR News covered all aspects of the shooting at a Boulder King Soopers. KRCC thoroughly covered the shooting at ClubQ with stories from 2022 to 2025.
“Thank you so much for the decades of service but especially for the ramped up coverage and information since the start of COVID… I turn to CPR multiple times every day for information, connection, and reassurance. In a time of uncertainty, sadness, anger, and fear, I feel supported, even loved, by Colorado Public Radio.”- Amy, Denver, CO
Music for Everyone, Not for Profit
Public media goes beyond news, with many stations featuring music or entertainment programming. CPR serves Coloradans statewide with CPR Classical and Indie 102.3, 24-hour music stations that bring joy, comfort, and cultural connection without being driven by ads or algorithms. These stations help make both classical and indie music more accessible to wider audiences while elevating Colorado’s creative economy and providing a respite from polarization.
CPR Classical takes listeners on an in-depth exploration of thoughtfully curated music – with an emphasis on Colorado’s classical community – providing context to a broad range of meaningful and compelling works from past to present.
Indie 102.3 takes listeners inside the world of new and independent music – exposing them to up-and-coming artists and the Colorado music scene. Indie 102.3 elevates Colorado musicians through its Local 303 programming, including in-person meet-ups, often playing these local musicians before any other station and giving them access to fans here in their home state.
“Quality, Independent, Impartial, In-Depth & Well-Researched Journalism is becoming an endangered species. Public radio needs to exist, survive and thrive… Classical music contributes to our emotional and mental well-being. It also connects us to history and culture. For children, research shows that exposure to classical music contributes to cognitive benefits. So thank you CPR for being there and thank you to all other members who make public radio a reality. I tell my smart speaker to stream CPR news and classical. It's important to my mental well being and to my soul to listen to both.”- Scot, Longmont, CO
“You're a wonderful, welcomed platform for local musicians including introductions to a wide range of musical genres both old and newer. My playlists have simply exploded in so many flavors.” - Maria, Castle Rock, CO
Beyond CPR
At Colorado Public Radio, we don’t serve shareholders or political interests — we serve people. And we’re not alone. Across Colorado, nearly twenty independent public radio and television stations provide essential services in their communities. Together, we collaborate on statewide candidate debates, reporting from the State Capitol, and nonpartisan voter information — extending the reach and value of public media while preserving each station’s local voice and independence. Public media is not a partisan issue — it’s a public good, built by and for the communities it serves.
The stories above reflect just a small part of what CPR and more than a dozen other public stations contribute to Colorado. We’re proud of the trust Coloradans place in us, and we’re committed to earning it every day.
