The recent exclusion of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act from the year-end budget bill has significant implications for Colorado’s broadcasting landscape. This decision has elicited strong reactions from both industry professionals and lawmakers.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) CEO, Curtis LeGeyt, expressed disappointment over the Act’s omission but pledged to continue advocating for its passage in the next congressional session.
The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act garnered substantial bipartisan support in Congress, with 271 co-sponsors in the House and a supermajority of 63 in the Senate.
In Colorado, the response was bipartisan among congressional representatives. While Colorado’s Senators did not sponsor the act, solid bipartisan support from Colorado’s congressional members included Reps. Boebert, Caraveo, Lamborn, Neguse and Pettersen. These congressional members recognized AM radio’s importance for public safety and information dissemination across the state’s diverse terrain.
The Colorado Broadcasters Association (CBA) emphasizes that AM radio remains a vital medium for reaching rural communities, providing emergency alerts, and preserving local content. The CBA plans to collaborate with supportive lawmakers and industry stakeholders to reintroduce the Act in the upcoming congressional session, aiming to ensure the continued availability of AM radio in all vehicles for the benefit of Colorado residents.
As this issue progresses, the CBA encourages its members and the public to stay informed and engage with their representatives to advocate for the preservation of AM radio’s accessibility throughout Colorado.