William Mead, Nederland.
The FCC recently shut down the radio stations KNED and Way High Radio. Before that, other stations in Longmont and Boulder were shut down as part of an FCC sweep of the area that targeted the Colorado Community Radio Network. In Nederland and Ward, the shutdown is particularly significant. Beyond music, radio has a unique impact in the mountain communities.
On January 24, KNED, based in Nederland, was served a cease and desist letter from the FCC. This marked the end of a long run of broadcasting. Way High Radio, based in Ward, was served the same letter, and both stations have been left with a great deal of uncertainty.
Until they obtain a broadcast license, they must remain silent. Currently, the FCC is not accepting applications for new AM broadcast stations, FM commercial stations, FM noncommercial educational broadcast stations, low power FM noncommercial educational broadcast stations, or commercial and noncommercial educational translator stations.
Both KNED and Way High Radio are run by volunteers, and the funding for both stations is donated. Neither station is profitable and do not run advertising. Music is broadcast from these stations, along with local news and communication during emergencies, providing some of the only available frequencies in the area.
“The easiest way to keep people connected up here is FM radio,” said Way High Radio’s DJ Willy.
During a disaster in the Peak to Peak region, such as the Cold Springs forest fire in 2016 that forced nearly 2,000 Nederland area evacuations, FM radio frequencies are the primary medium of communication.
“When it comes down to a specific emergency event, they don’t have anybody up there to let people know what is specifically pertinent to them,” said KNED’s DJ Sweet Tea.
The communities in Nederland and Ward have been historically supportive of their local radio stations.
“I’ve heard people refer to Way High [Radio] being kind of like the glue that holds the community together,” said DJ Willy.
Ward’s population was 150 in the 2010 census and was estimated to be 156 in 2016. The population is made up of only 36 families. The remote location of the town poses a unique hurdle to staying connected.
“We have to just use our stream at this point, and it’s rather discouraging because a lot of people are isolated up here so people don’t have good internet,” said DJ Willy.
There is no clear future for KNED and Way High Radio presently, largely because there is no opportunity for any official action to be taken on their part. The volunteers at both radio stations are assessing what action can be taken.
