Capturing the Vibrant and Engaged Mountain Community in Summit County

This podcast episode features an interview with Krista from Always Mountain Time, a local broadcaster in Summit County, Colorado, who provides insights into the unique broadcasting challenges of mountain communities. The discussion revolves around the topography that limits signal penetration, requiring creative engineering solutions such as towers and translators on mountains. The episode emphasizes the importance of local radio in mountain communities, serving as a connection to local news, weather updates, and community events. Krista highlights the strong engagement of the community and how the radio stations become the voice of the residents. Moreover, the episode delves into the significance of the Spanish-speaking Hispanic population in Summit County and the role of the radio station in reaching and serving this audience. The conversation also touches upon the impact of COVID-19, which led to a significant increase in full-time residents in the mountain towns, as many people chose to escape city life. Overall, the episode aims to dispel the myth that Denver represents the entire state of Colorado and emphasizes the vibrant and engaged nature of mountain communities.