Durango, CO (October 3, 2024) – Hutton Broadcasting’s AAA brand (known as “Radio Free”) will take over KKDG 99.7 Durango on October 3, in a format flip designed to fill a void in the outdoorsy college town in southwest Colorado.

“Mountain towns are notoriously receptive to the AAA format,” says Hutton Broadcasting Program Director Chris Diestler. “Adult Album Alternative goes hand-in-hand with the outdoor lifestyle – hiking, cycling, camping, skiing, etc. AAA was born in mountain towns like Boulder, Colorado, and continues to flourish in that environment.”
Taking its cue from 1970s-era free-form FM radio, KKDG’s AAA incarnation will showcase music for music lovers, including regional Colorado bands like Elder Grown, Stillhouse Junkies, and the Garrett Young Collective. Featuring what may be the deepest music library on any commercial radio station in the state, rather than just “playing the hits,” Radio Free Durango will concentrate on music discovery and re-discovery.
KKDG 99.7 Radio Free Durango will play a mix of adult alternative, singer-songwriter, acoustic, Americana, indie, rock, soul, folk, funk, blues, reggae, international, and more. Some of the core artists are Beck, Bob Marley, Nirvana, Tom Petty, Lumineers, Radiohead, Tracy Chapman, Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, Prince, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, U2, David Bowie, Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M., Lucinda Williams, Neil Young, Indigo Girls, Elvis Costello, the Cure, and Talking Heads.
As for newer acts (indie and otherwise) you’ll discover Big Thief, Lake Street Dive, Billy Strings, Phoebe Bridgers, Portugal, The Man, Stick Figure, Devon Gilfillian, Brandi Carlile, Jack White, Orville Peck, Gillian Welch, Wyatt Flores, Jenny Lewis, Michael Kiwanuka, Waxahatchee, Sierra Ferrell, Japanese Breakfast, Goose, and many more.
“The key words are diversity and community,” says Hutton’s Four Corners General Manager Jack Llewellyn. “We also appreciated the fun and excitement around Doggy FM. Our intentions were to bring awareness to the La Plata County Humane Society through our stunting as Doggy FM. We will continue to bring awareness to their mission of building a community that fosters a culture of humane treatment, where every animal is safe, and is treated with care and respect. Hutton Broadcasting made a $20,000 in-kind donation so the La Plata County Humane Society can continue their brand awareness throughout the area. Hutton additionally made a cash donation and hopes if you enjoyed Doggy FM, you will donate as well by going to https://lpchumanesociety.org/how-you-can-help/give/.”
He added, “We plan on continuing Doggy FM on Sundays from 8 to 10 a.m. on 99.7 Radio Free Durango so your furry friends won’t be disappointed.”
Radio Free Durango will also be streaming and podcasting at RadioFreeDurango.com, as well as VisitFourCorners.com. Radio Free Durango’s sister station, the wildly successful 98.1 KBAC Radio Free Santa Fe (of Santa Fe, New Mexico), is one of the original and highest rated per capita Adult Album Alternative stations in the country.
According to Neilson, the media accreditation service, radio’s weekly reach is still at an astounding 82 percent. In the 18–34 demographic, radio has 55.4 million weekly listeners.
(Source: The Top Nine Reasons Why AM/FM Radio Is Bigger Than You Think. Inside Radio, September 17, 2024)
Radio Free Durango will also be streaming and podcasting at RadioFreeDurango.com, as well as VisitFourCorners.com.