KKCO

KKCO is a broadcast television station serving Grand Junction and surrounding communities in western Colorado. The station broadcasts on channel 11 and is affiliated with NBC, while also carrying Telemundo programming. It operates alongside low-power Class A station KJCT-CD, which is affiliated with ABC and The CW Plus. The two stations share studios on Blichmann Avenue in Grand Junction, while KKCO's primary transmitter is located at the Black Ridge Electronics Site near Colorado National Monument, west of the city. KKCO was created to provide Grand Junction with an in-market NBC affiliate. Several groups sought a construction permit for channel 11 in 1994, but changes to the Federal Communications Commission's comparative-hearing process encouraged applicants to settle or merge. A 1995 settlement brought together Uhlmann/Latshaw Broadcasting and Grand Junction Television Partners. Bill Varecha, the lead partner in the resulting company, had identified the absence of a local NBC station while operating a radio station in Vail. The new station, initially owned by Eagle III Broadcasting, began broadcasting on July 29, 1996. At launch, KKCO carried NBC programming and also served as a secondary UPN affiliate. Its arrival changed the regional television landscape: cable operator TCI removed Denver NBC affiliate KUSA from some Western Slope systems, prompting viewer complaints about losing Denver newscasts and Denver Broncos preseason coverage. KKCO initially simulcast portions of KUSA's newscasts while building its own newsroom. It began producing local newscasts later in 1996, and within approximately 18 months its news operation had reached the top of the local market in both ratings and revenue. The station later obtained rights to broadcast Broncos preseason games in 2003. Gray Television agreed to acquire KKCO and its Montrose translator from Eagle III Broadcasting for $13.5 million in 2004; the transaction closed in February 2005. In 2014, Gray acquired the programming assets of KJCT. Regulatory scrutiny of joint-sales arrangements prevented Gray from continuing to program the full-power KJCT facility, so the programming was moved to a low-power station and the KJCT and KKCO newsrooms were combined. In July 2025, Gray Media announced a multi-market station exchange with the E. W. Scripps Company that included KKCO and KJCT-LP. The Federal Communications Commission approved the exchange on April 28, 2026, after which Scripps became KKCO's owner. The station remains a local broadcast and news outlet for Grand Junction and western Colorado, using its NBC and Telemundo affiliations, local newscasts, digital presence, and network of translators to reach viewers across a geographically dispersed market.

KKCO's origins lie in the effort to establish a locally licensed NBC station in Grand Junction. Multiple applicants sought a construction permit for channel 11 in 1994. The FCC's traditional comparative-hearing system had been challenged in court, and the resulting regulatory uncertainty led the commission to open a settlement period in 1995. One settlement combined Uhlmann/Latshaw Broadcasting LLC with Grand Junction Television Partners. Bill Varecha became the lead partner of the merged organization; his earlier broadcasting experience included operating a radio station in Vail and building and selling television stations in Illinois and Florida. Eagle III Broadcasting launched KKCO on July 29, 1996. The station was Grand Junction's first in-market NBC affiliate and initially supplemented NBC with UPN programming. Its entry displaced Denver NBC affiliate KUSA from TCI cable systems on parts of Colorado's Western Slope. Some viewers objected because they lost access to KUSA's local newscasts and Denver Broncos preseason games. The dispute reflected both the new station's local-market role and NFL rules concerning the sharing of preseason television revenue outside the team's principal market. TCI later carried the Broncos games through an arrangement with KUSA, while KKCO secured the rights itself in 2003. KKCO initially relied on selected simulcasts from KUSA while assembling a local news department. It began producing its own newscasts during 1996. Within 18 months, the station's news operation had become the market leader in ratings and revenue, establishing local reporting as a central part of its identity. Gray Television acquired KKCO and a Montrose translator from Eagle III Broadcasting for $13.5 million. Although the agreement was reached in 2004, Gray completed the purchase in February 2005. Gray later expanded its relationship with the market by acquiring KJCT's programming assets in 2014. Because of increased regulatory scrutiny surrounding joint-sales agreements, Gray could not program the full-power KJCT facility in the previous manner. KJCT programming was instead moved to a low-power station, and the KJCT and KKCO newsrooms were combined. On July 7, 2025, Gray Media disclosed a multi-market exchange with Scripps that included KKCO and KJCT-LP. The FCC approved the transaction on April 28, 2026, resulting in Scripps ownership. KKCO continues to operate as an NBC and Telemundo-affiliated station, with shared Grand Junction facilities, a transmitter near Colorado National Monument, and translators extending coverage to additional communities in western Colorado.

1. 2026FCC approves transfer to Scripps

   The FCC approved the exchange on April 28, 2026.

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2. 2025Scripps station exchange announced

   Gray Media announced that KKCO and KJCT-LP would be transferred to Scripps as part of a multi-market exchange.

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3. 2014KJCT programming assets move into Gray's operation

   Gray acquired KJCT's programming assets, later combining the KJCT and KKCO newsrooms.

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4. 2005Gray Television completes acquisition

   Gray closed its purchase of KKCO and a Montrose translator from Eagle III Broadcasting.

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5. 2003KKCO gains Broncos preseason rights

   KKCO obtained the rights to broadcast Denver Broncos preseason games.

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6. 1998Broncos preseason coverage returns to TCI systems

   TCI was able to carry Denver Broncos preseason games through an arrangement with KUSA.

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7. 1996KKCO begins broadcasting

   KKCO signed on July 29 as Grand Junction's first in-market NBC affiliate and initially also carried UPN programming.

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8. 1996Local news operation launches

   After initially simulcasting portions of KUSA's newscasts, KKCO began producing its own local newscasts.

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9. 1995Applicant settlement creates the station's ownership group

   A settlement period encouraged the merger of Uhlmann/Latshaw Broadcasting LLC and Grand Junction Television Partners.

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10. 1994Multiple applicants seek channel 11 construction permit

    Several groups applied to build a television station on channel 11 in Grand Junction, beginning the regulatory process that led to KKCO.

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A locally focused television broadcaster combining NBC and Telemundo network content with local news, weather, sports, public-service reporting, and advertising for Grand Junction and western Colorado.

• Local television newsBroadcast journalism1996

  KKCO produces local news programming for Grand Junction and surrounding western Colorado communities. Its newsroom developed shortly after the station's 1996 launch and quickly became a leading operation in the market. Coverage includes regional reporting, weather, sports, public affairs, and breaking news distributed through television and digital channels.

• NBC programmingNetwork television affiliation1996

  As an NBC affiliate, KKCO carries national network news, entertainment, sports, and other NBC programming for the Grand Junction market. The affiliation has been central to the station's identity since its sign-on and was the primary reason for establishing an in-market channel 11 service.

• Telemundo programmingSpanish-language network television

  KKCO also carries Telemundo programming, giving the station a Spanish-language network component in addition to its NBC service. The available reference material does not specify the particular subchannel schedule or the date on which the Telemundo affiliation began.

• Over-the-air and translator distributionBroadcast transmission1996

  KKCO's main signal is transmitted from the Black Ridge Electronics Site near Colorado National Monument. A network of translators extends reception to communities including Montrose, Mesa, Collbran, Gateway, Paonia, Aspen, Basalt, Redstone, Snowmass Village, and Thomasville, although some listed translators are associated with the Denver market.

• 2025Transfer KKCO to Scripps through station exchangeM&A

  Gray Media and the E. W. Scripps Company announced an exchange involving television stations in multiple markets.

  What changed. The announced transaction designated KKCO and KJCT-LP for transfer from Gray Media to Scripps.

  Aftermath. The FCC approved the exchange on April 28, 2026, making Scripps the station's owner.

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• 2014Combine KJCT and KKCO newsroom operationsStrategy

  Gray acquired KJCT's programming assets, but regulatory scrutiny of joint-sales agreements limited its ability to program the full-power KJCT station.

  What changed. KJCT programming was moved to a low-power station and the KJCT and KKCO newsrooms were combined.

  Aftermath. The stations continued serving the market through a shared newsroom structure.

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• 2003Acquire Denver Broncos preseason broadcast rightsOther

  The station's launch had disrupted the availability of Denver NBC affiliate KUSA programming on Western Slope cable systems, including Broncos preseason coverage.

  What changed. KKCO obtained rights to broadcast Broncos preseason games.

  Aftermath. The move strengthened KKCO's local sports offering, although the available reference material does not provide ratings or financial results.

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• 1996Build an in-market NBC news operationStrategy

  Grand Junction lacked a local NBC affiliate, and the new station initially depended partly on KUSA newscast simulcasts while establishing its own newsroom.

  What changed. KKCO launched its own local newscasts later in 1996 and developed a market-focused news service.

  Aftermath. Within approximately 18 months, the local news operation had reached the number-one position in the market in ratings and revenue.

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• 2024Attack on reporter Ja'Ronn AlexControversy

  On December 18, 2024, KKCO reporter Ja'Ronn Alex was allegedly followed for approximately 40 miles from the Delta area to the station's Grand Junction studios. The alleged pursuer reportedly questioned Alex about his citizenship, invoked political rhetoric, and later tackled him and placed him in a headlock outside the station. Coworkers intervened, and part of the incident was captured on surveillance video. Police arrested the alleged attacker on suspicion of bias-motivated crimes, second-degree assault by strangulation, harassment by following, and ethnic intimidation. Alex said he believed he was targeted because he is Pacific Islander. The defense indicated that the accused intended to plead not guilty.

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• 2026FCC approves transfer of KKCO to Scripps

  The Federal Communications Commission approved the multi-market station exchange between Gray Media and Scripps, clearing the transfer of KKCO and KJCT-LP to Scripps.

  M&ARegulation
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• 2025Gray Media and Scripps announce station exchange involving KKCO

  Gray Media announced an exchange of several television stations with the E. W. Scripps Company. KKCO and KJCT-LP were included among the stations designated for transfer to Scripps.

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1. KKCO