March 30, 2007

Durlin leaving KGNU after overseeing growth

BOULDER – After 20 years at the helm, Marty Durlin is stepping down as station manager of KGNU radio in Boulder.

Durlin’s departure comes at a time when Boulder’s nonprofit community broadcasting station is expanding its reach into Denver.

Although it’s been broadcasting on 1390 AM in Denver since it purchased the station for $4.1 million in 2004, KGNU didn’t have a studio there until Micro Business Development, a nonprofit financial services company, offered the station rent-free space at its 700 Kalamath St. headquarters.

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The station spent about $30,000 on studio equipment. About half of that came from a Public Telecommunications Facilities Program grant, a funding mechanism for public broadcasting stations run by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Production and Training Director Alex Fountain staffs the Denver studio.

Denver Open Media, the nonprofit that runs public access TV in Denver, is in the same building, and Durlin sees many possibilities for co-broadcasting.

“When the Democrats come to Denver that will be great for us,” he said. “We’ll be able to offer this collaborative space down there.”

During Durlin’s tenure KGNU has grown to an eight-person staff with a volunteer base of more than 300, assets of more than $7 million, about 5,500 members and an estimated 50,000 listeners. In addition to buying 1390 AM, she moved the station three times – including to its current home at 4700 Walnut St., a building the station bought in 2002.

Durlin isn’t retiring yet, just taking a break. She will fund her “breather” by selling her duplex in Boulder, she said.

She’s looking forward to moving back to the Western Slope where she grew up and spending time writing and playing music.

“Art things that I used to be able to find time to do while doing a full time job and raising two children,” she said. “I can’t seem to do that anymore, and I just need a break.”

News Director Sam Fuqua will act as interim station manager for one year while the station performs a national search. Fuqua, who’s been KGNU’s news director for 15 years, may decide to throw his hat in the ring, Durlin said. “I think he’s eager to try this and see if he likes it. It’s very generous of him to step in. If he wants to apply for the job after a year I think he would be an excellent choice.”

With Fuqua moving up, KGNU is looking for a half-time associate news and public affairs director.

While she’ll miss her daughter, Ali Lightfoot, general manager of Alternative Radio in Boulder, two grandchildren and the station, Durlin is ready to “pass the baton.”

“Life is short. I was 40 when I started the job, and now I’m 60. KGNU is entering a new dynamic phase,” she said. “If I hadn’t been doing it for 20 years I could bring fresh energy to it.”

A celebration of Durlin’s legacy as manager of KGNU will take place at the Boulder Theatre May 18.

BOULDER – After 20 years at the helm, Marty Durlin is stepping down as station manager of KGNU radio in Boulder.

Durlin’s departure comes at a time when Boulder’s nonprofit community broadcasting station is expanding its reach into Denver.

Although it’s been broadcasting on 1390 AM in Denver since it purchased the station for $4.1 million in 2004, KGNU didn’t have a studio there until Micro Business Development, a nonprofit financial services company, offered the station rent-free space at its 700 Kalamath St. headquarters.

The station spent about $30,000 on studio equipment. About half of that came from a Public Telecommunications Facilities…

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