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Merger will create a stronger future for northern Colorado’s public media (Opinion).By Michael Rosenblatt For those of us who have long supported public media, its mission has always been about more than radio frequencies or office locations; it is about connections to local stories, trusted journalism, music discovery and the communities we call home.As a Boulder resident, technology entrepreneur, longtime public media supporter and board member of KUNC and The Colorado Sound, I believe the proposed merger with Rocky Mountain Public Media represents an important opportunity for Northern Colorado.Boulder has long embraced innovation and adaptation.It is a community that understands how technology reshapes the way people live, work and communicate.Media is no exception.After all, we consume information today dramatically differently than we did even a decade ago.We value trusted journalism, local storytelling and meaningful cultural programming, but increasingly access it through podcasts, streaming platforms, mobile apps, smart speakers and digital experiences that didn’t exist a generation ago.Public media must evolve alongside those changes if they want to continue serving audiences effectively for the next generation.That is exactly why this merger matters to me and should matter to you.By joining forces with Rocky Mountain Public Media, KUNC and The Colorado Sound can devote more energy toward what listeners want: exceptional journalism, meaningful local reporting, music programming and stronger audience experiences.The merger will allow leadership and staff to spend less time on operations and more on content, innovation and community engagement, all while strengthening its long-term sustainability.Importantly, this is not about diminishing Northern Colorado’s identity or voice.It is the opposite.Northern Colorado is now one interconnected region stretching from Boulder and Longmont through Loveland, Windsor, Greeley and Fort Collins and beyond.Families, businesses and communities move fluidly throughout the region because of our quality of life.My wife and I chose to raise our two children here because the region offers something increasingly rare: communities that remain family-oriented, civically engaged and connected to one another.From Boulder’s entrepreneurial spirit to Fort Collins’ vibrant arts scene and the growing communities across Weld and Larimer counties, Northern Colorado continues to attract people who want both opportunity and community.That shared identity deserves a strong public media presence focused on telling our stories.This merger will allow KUNC and The Colorado Sound to strengthen our regional focus while expanding the reach of the journalism, voices and music that make Northern Colorado unique.For music enthusiasts, this creates exciting possibilities.The Colorado Sound has built a loyal audience by championing independent artists, local musicians and authentic music discovery.Expanded facilities and collaboration opportunities will allow the station to host more in-studio performances, community events and artist engagement throughout the region.The planned move to Fort Collins reflects that same future-oriented thinking.With a donor providing 10 years of office space at no cost as KUNC’s current lease nears expiration, the organization has an opportunity to create a more collaborative hub for journalists, music hosts, artists and community gatherings in one of the vibrant downtown areas of Northern Colorado.The new structure does not come at the expense of creating content that audiences value.The focus remains on serving listeners, readers and music enthusiasts while strengthening the quality and accessibility of local journalism and programming.Recent cuts in federal funding revealed something important about public media’s relationship with its audience.When people believe in a trusted local institution, they step up and support it.Listeners across Colorado spoke up in support of public media because they recognize the role it plays in an educated and informed community.This merger positions KUNC and The Colorado Sound to continue growing as trusted, innovative and community-focused public media brands for Northern Colorado audiences for years to come.It represents the best of both worlds: preserving a strong regional identity while building the scale and sustainability necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing media environment.Michael Rosenblatt, a technology product developer, is on the KUNC board of directors.Rosenblatt is a Boulder resident.To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.