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Originally known as KBDI Channel 12, Colorado Public Television (CPT12) is a unique civic resource that originally began broadcasting as one of the country’s first alternative public television services. CPT12 now provides important local and international programming services that are otherwise not available in Colorado television.
CPT12 had humble beginnings in a garage in Broomfield, Colorado. A small group of founders formed the Front Range Educational Media Corporation (FREMCO) to apply for the Channel 12 license and establish the station. Later the same year, the FCC granted the license to FREMCO and in February 1977, Channel 12 went on the air. CPT12 is an independent, non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c)(3), Colorado corporation governed by a volunteer of Board of Directors. The board and staff are assisted by a Community Advisory Board, and the organization is managed by two corporate officers - a president/CEO, and a vice president/COO - plus a business manager and six department heads.
CPT12 occupies one of two reserved, “non-commercial, educational” VHF frequencies that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated to Colorado as part of a national policy to provide multiple, differentiated public television services throughout the country. Originally intended only for University of Colorado at Boulder, the inception of Colorado Public Television as a community licensee occurred when the FCC’s plans for a Boulder-only station fell through.
The founders of CPT12 were a coalition of citizens, activists and media organizers who, in the mid-to-late 1970‘s, launched a series of alternative radio, counter-culture press, cable access and community media organizations thoughout Colorado. Coming together, they saw a community license as an opportunity to broaden discourse in local television by creating a new, more community-oriented, globally-conscious station. Identifying the public’s need for local programming with a non-commercial focus in public service, they shaped a public television station dedicated to:
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Serving diverse populations
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Providing vigorous community-affairs debate
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Giving voice to independent, under-represented and frequently unpopular perspectives and views
Our iconoclastic brand of independent and community-oriented programming creates a diversity that serves a wide range of needs and interests in Colorado.
CPT12 has had transmitting facilities on Squaw Mountain in Clear Creek County since its creation. At 11,500 feet, the site remains the highest of any full-power television station in the nation. The original antenna, literally manufactured with a juice can, has since been replaced with one which is newer and more powerful (and sophisticated). A translator facility has also been established on Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, serving the Colorado Springs and Pueblo areas along with an analog translator located in Boulder. As we look to the future, we are continuing our digital expansion on the Front Range and throughout Colorado, while adding high definition (HD) transmission capacity.
Originally located in Broomfield, Colorado, in 1989, CPT12 moved its offices and studios to Denver, and again in 1994 to our current Denver location in the culturally-rich Five Points neighborhood. CPT12 is co-housed in the Five Points Media Center with two other community-oriented media organizations. CPT12 purchased the media center in 2006.
It was not until the late 1990s that the station began phasing out the KBDI name and started doing business as “Colorado Public Television." In 2010, a strategic rebranding effort that reflects our statewide presence took place, and KBDI officially became Colorado Public Television (CPT12).
CPT12 has always been, and continues to be, a pioneer in the television industry, breaking barriers, illuminating key social issues, and most importantly providing a platform for the underserved. Channel 12 has become a leader in the national movement of similarly “differentiated” stations, collectively known as the “Beta Group.” A distinguishing feature of Beta Group stations is their local, community-oriented programming serving a wide range of diverse political, ethnic, language and cultural interests that typically are underserved in commercial television and much of public television.
Early programming innovations that shaped the future of American television include “The Local Home Movies Show” and our “FMTV” music series. Both concepts were adopted into the main stream and became more famously known through other programs such as “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and dedicated music channels like MTV.
Current programs include “Colorado Inside Out” and “Studio 12”. However, since 1996, possibly our most significant local programming comes from our extensive coverage of public affairs and elections, both locally and nationally. In 2004, CPT12 formed a multi-media partnership with CBS4 (KCNC) and the former Rocky Mountain News to jointly produce “Colorado Decides,” a series of debates, analysis and live, election night coverage. The partnership with CBS4 endures.
CPT12 has also won a number of broadcasting awards throughout the years for our groundbreaking and unique local programming. Some of the more notable awards include:
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1992 - Regional Emmy received for Best Documentary for “Stories of Elyria”
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2009 - Emmy Award recieved for Best Interview/Discussion Program - tie “CIO Circa 1858” and “Studio 12: Sudan”
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2009 - Colorado Broadcasters Association Award of Excellence - Best Public Affairs Program – “Snapshots from the DNC” and Best Membership Appeal – “Car Donation” spot
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2010 – Regional Emmy Award received for Best Interview/Discussion Program – “CIO circa 1959” • 2010 - Colorado Broadcasters Association Award of Excellence - Best Public Affairs Program – “Studio 12: Back to Sudan” and Certificate - Documentary – “Allen True’s West”
In 2010, the work of the station was lauded in a December 26 Denver Post article by TV critic Joanne Ostrow saying, “The little Station that could…it not only survived 2010 but provided superior locally produced election coverage.”
Colorado Public Television's tagline, “World View, Community Voice,” represents the station's mission, programming choices, community activities and engagement with its Colorado constituents. A global perspective combined with local conversations will continue to be CPT12's guide into the future.
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