Cheyenne Mountain Public Broadcast House, Inc.

Cheyenne Mountain Public Broadcast House, Inc. is a United States-based nonprofit organization dedicated to public radio broadcasting, with a particular emphasis on classical and jazz music programming. Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) entity, the organization operates out of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has been serving the cultural needs of southern Colorado since the late 1970s.

History and Operations

Founded in 1977, Cheyenne Mountain Public Broadcast House, Inc. initially launched its classical music radio station, KCME, which began broadcasting on December 24, 1979, originally at 88.1 MHz before moving to 88.7 MHz in 1990. The call letters KCME reflect the initials of the organization's founder, Charles M. Edmonds, who also served as the station's president and chief engineer. The original studios were located in Manitou Springs, Colorado, near a babbling brook, before relocating in the 1990s to Colorado Springs. The station's transmitter is positioned on Cheyenne Mountain, enabling it to broadcast across a wide area of central and southern Colorado.

KCME provides a 24-hour classical music format, serving as a vital cultural hub that elevates the arts in the Pikes Peak region and greater southern Colorado. The station is supported financially through membership drives and local business sponsorships, emphasizing a community-funded model. Its programming is accessible not only via FM broadcasts but also through satellite and internet streaming, broadening its reach globally.

In addition to KCME, Cheyenne Mountain Public Broadcast House, Inc. operates a sister station, Jazz 93.5 FM (K228EM), which broadcasts a dedicated jazz format on its HD-2 subchannel and translator frequency. Jazz 93.5 focuses on jazz music's improvisational roots, community engagement, and innovation, and it is also streamed worldwide via the internet. Jazz programming was initially part of KCME’s schedule but was expanded into its own channel in 2017 following advances in HD radio technology.

Programming and Community Role

Cheyenne Mountain Public Broadcast House, Inc. is recognized for its slogan "Local. Classical. Cultural" for KCME and "In the Moment" for Jazz 93.5, reflecting its commitment to quality music programming rooted in community values. Both stations provide cultural enrichment through music and partnerships with local arts organizations, contributing to the artistic vitality of the region.

The nonprofit’s mission extends beyond broadcasting to fostering an appreciation for the arts, supporting local musicians and cultural institutions, and maintaining a stable and accessible platform for classical and jazz music lovers in Colorado and beyond.

Summary

• Name: Cheyenne Mountain Public Broadcast House, Inc.
• Type: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
• Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Radio Stations: KCME (88.7 FM) – Classical music; Jazz 93.5 FM (K228EM) – Jazz music
• Founded: 1977 (KCME began broadcasting in 1979)
• Founder: Charles M. Edmonds
• Mission: To elevate the arts through classical and jazz music broadcasting and community engagement in southern Colorado
• Broadcast Range: Central and southern Colorado via FM, satellite, and internet streaming

Cheyenne Mountain Public Broadcast House, Inc. continues to play a key role in the cultural landscape of southern Colorado through its dedicated public radio services, promoting classical and jazz music as essential elements of community life and artistic expression.