{"id":89986,"date":"2020-03-19T20:51:16","date_gmt":"2020-03-20T02:51:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/local-officials-give-residents-denver-tv-news-now\/"},"modified":"2020-03-19T20:51:16","modified_gmt":"2020-03-20T02:51:16","slug":"local-officials-give-residents-denver-tv-news-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/local-officials-give-residents-denver-tv-news-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Local officials: Give residents Denver TV news now"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Local,
Local, state and federal officials are calling on broadcasters to reach a temporary agreement to allow Denver television stations to be broadcast in Montezuma and La Plata counties so residents can receive in-state information about the coronavirus.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The struggle to get Denver TV broadcast in La Plata County has been going on for years, but with the outbreak of the coronavirus, local officials say getting information to residents from the state level is a matter of public safety.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a crisis situation for public health, and we\u2019re in this boat where we can\u2019t hear what\u2019s happening at the state level,\u201d said La Plata County Commissioner Julie Westendorff. \u201cI don\u2019t want to be overly dramatic, but it has life or death consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n

Durango does not get programming from Denver cable television news, instead receiving its news from Albuquerque. It has been a point of contention for years<\/a>, with many in the community arguing the need for more relevant statewide news.<\/p>\n

While there have been recent developments in bringing Denver channels to Durango, the situation has been in a bit of a legal quagmire.<\/p>\n

But now, with the outbreak of the coronavirus, and virtually daily updates from Gov. Jared Polis and state health officials, Westendorff said it is time to drop contract disputes and get people the information they need.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe governor\u2019s holding these press conferences with really important information, and the majority of people who live in this county can\u2019t see it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"Local,
Local, state and federal officials are calling on broadcasters to reach a temporary agreement to allow Denver television stations to be broadcast in Montezuma and La Plata counties so residents can receive in-state information about the coronavirus.<\/span>Durango Herald illustration<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

On Thursday, Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner, Rep. Scott Tipton and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser sent a letter to Denver broadcasters and satellite companies, pleading with them to reach a temporary solution to allow Denver-based programming in La Plata County.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a critical matter of public health and well-being for Coloradans who need the ability to keep up with rapidly developing circumstances related to the pandemic, from local announcements about school closures to the availability of testing and treatment to state government responses to limit the spread of the virus,\u201d the letter reads.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recognize that there is no easy solution. These extraordinary circumstances, however, demand creative solutions and urgent progress. Inaction is not an option in this extraordinary time, when all of Colorado needs access to vitally important news from our state.\u201d<\/p>\n

The city of Durango broadcasts KUSA 9News on its public station, digital air channel 10.2, which can be accessed with an indoor HD digital antenna, yet that\u2019s not an option for all residents, Westendorff said.<\/p>\n

Westendorff said she\u2019s heard from some seniors, considered the most at-risk of the coronavirus, who have said they don\u2019t have the most up-to-date information.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorry about contracts afterward, but right now, our residents need information on how to protect themselves and our community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Calls to several Denver news channels were not immediately returned Thursday morning.<\/p>\n

jromeo@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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