MICHAEL F. BENNET
COLORADO
COMMITTEES:
AGRICULTURE. NUTRITION. AND FORESTRY
BANKING. HOUSING. AND
URBAN AFFAIRS
HEALTH. EDUCATION. LABOR,
AND PENSIONS
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING
\tnited~tates~enate
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-0609
May 6, 2011
WASHINGTON. DC:
458 RUSSelL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WA$UING rON, DC 20510
1202) 224-5852
COLORADO:
2300 15TH STREn
$UITF 450
DI:NVI:R. CO 80202
(303) 455 -7600
http://www.bennet.senate.gov
Julius Genachowski
Chainnan
Federal Communications Commission
445 1i
h
Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Chainnan Genachowski:
I am writing today to urge the Commission to support the broadcast television license transfer
application (number BALCDT-20110419ABC), filed by LIN Television and Native American
Broadcasting, regarding station KREZ-TV located in Durango, Colorado. I trust that the FCC
will do everything in its power to approve this transfer request, as it is in the best interests of my
constituents and the larger broadcasting community.
Broadcast television in the United States always has been built on the twin principles of localism
and diversity. Allowing Native American Broadcasting to assume ownership and control of
KREZ is a key way for the Commission to further these goals. While LIN has done a fine job
operating this station, I am pleased that after the transfer is complete, the station will be owned
and operated by a company that is headquartered in the city where the station resides. In fact, the
minority owner ofthe station has a home in Durango, Colorado, and the majority owner lives in
La Plata County. These owners are intimately tied to the local community served by KREZ's
signal, and are committed to help solve the unique problems ofColoradans residing in La Plata
and Montezuma counties who currently cannot receive easily accessible in-state broadcasts and
programming originating from Southwest Colorado.
Additionally, the Commission has long made it a priority to increase the ownership ofbroadcast
facilities by Native American organizations and women. In fact, earlier this year the
Commission released an item to the public in an effort to seek ways to facilitate greater
ownership ofradio facilities by Native American groups. This transfer is one small way of
promoting that goal, particularly in an area ofthe country with a significant Native American
population.
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As you know, I always have taken an interest in the broadcast television services available to my
constituents living in Southwest Colorado. This license transfer is vital to broadcast television
service for these local communities, and I urge the Commission to approve this sale. Thank you
for your time and attention to this matter and please keep me updated on the Commission's
progress on this request.
Sincerely,
Michael F. Bennet
United States Senator
cc: FCC Commissioner Michael Copps
FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn
FCC Commissioner Meredith Atwell Baker
Media Bureau Chief William Lake
Media Bureau Video Division ChiefBarbara Kreisman
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