The Journal
After three years of work, KSUT has connected the two Ute tribes of Southwest Colorado through Tribal Radio, with a new FM signal broadcasting off of Hermano Peak on Ute Mountain south of Cortez.
The signal went live May 14 at 100.9FM.
“We are excited to provide unique programming to our sister tribe and appreciate their support with this endeavor. We hope this additional communication source can serve a need for those who don’t have direct access to other forms of media in the community.” said Sheila Nanaeto, KSUT Tribal Radio station manager in a news release.
In June 2017, KSUT began efforts to obtain two donated FM licenses, intended for non-commercial radio stations serving Native American populations, Tami Graham, KSUT executive director, said in the news release. The Federal Communications Commission approved KSUT’s applications to temporarily continue broadcasting from Reserve, New Mexico, and to move the license to the Towaoc site.
After 17 trips to Ute Mountain with KSUT staff, engineers and tower climbers, KSUT Tribal radio can now be heard from 100.9 FM in Towaoc, Cortez, White Mesa, Dolores and points in between.
Rob Rawls is KSUT’s Four Corners station manager.
KSUT Tribal Radio can be heard on 91.3FM serving Ignacio, Southern Ute and Jicarilla Apache tribal lands, 89.7FM serving Farmington, northwest New Mexico and Navajo tribal lands, and now 100.9FM serving Cortez, Dolores, Towaoc, White Mesa and Ute Mountain Ute tribal lands.