History & Recognition

In 1982, a handful of determined volunteers began working toward their vision of founding a Hispanic-managed public radio station. Their hard work paid off when KUVO first signed on the air August 29 at 7 PM, offering a mix of fusion jazz, salsa, and blues!

Besides one full-time staff, the station was entirely volunteer-run at its inception. Volunteer DJs played donated records from their personal collections and local music shops.

KUVO’s dedication to playing the full spectrum of jazz – including traditional, swing era, big band, bebop, trios, vocals, instrumentals, Latin, and freestyle “progressive” and contemporary – has earned the station international recognition and a worldwide audience.

The station’s local programs have also caught the attention of a wide audience. KUVO’s show “Caliente! Latin Jazz with Eddie Palmieri” aired in the fall of 2006 during Hispanic Heritage Month and was ultimately carried on over 100 stations across the country.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

• “Best Jazz Station” award by Westword Newspaper – 1988, 1989
• Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts – 1988
• “Best Jazz Station” nomination by Gavin Magazine – 1999
• Denise Washington-Blomberg wins a Colorado Association of Black Journalists Award for her broadcasts at KUVO – 1999
• Donnie L. Betts wins a Colorado Association of Black Journalists Award for his radio series “Destination Freedom” broadcast on KUVO – 1999
• “Destination Freedom” gets distributed nationally for Black History Month – 2000
• Arturo Gómez wins JazzWeek Bobby Jackson Award for “Music Director of the Year” – 2004, 2005, 2006, 2015
• Major Market Jazz Station of the Year Award from JazzWeek Magazine – 2005, 2006
• Tina Cartagena honored with Adelante Mujer Community Award – 2005
• Carlos Lando recognized by Dazzle Jazz for his contributions to Colorado’s Thriving Local Jazz Scene – 2010
• Program Director and Chief Operating Officer Carlos Lando honored with a Five Points Jazz Festival “Tribute” award – 2012
• Station Founder Florence Hernández-Ramos honored with Five Points Jazz Festival “Tribute” award – 2013
• Justina Curlee aka JC/Mama Kat awarded Five Points Jazz Festival “Tribute” award – 2013
• Named one of the top 3 best “Jazz & Soul Internet Radio Stations” by The Telegraph’s Pete Naughton – 2014