SPRTV Announces Downtime for Several Over-the-Air Radio and TV Signals
Summit Public Radio & TV (SPRTV) has confirmed a long-term power line outage at its Bald Mountain transmission site, interrupting the rebroadcast and over-the-air signals of multiple radio and television stations across Summit County.
The Bald Mountain transmitter, maintained and powered by SPRTV’s nonprofit and all-volunteer organization, is a backbone for communications in the High Country. From that mountaintop in Breckenridge, SPRTV’s antenna transmits Front Range, regional, and local radio and television signals, enabling residents and visitors to receive public and commercial broadcasts for free.
For some, SPRTV’s mountain transmission hub is more than a signal — it is a lifeline to connection and information. It carries trusted news, music, entertainment, cultural and educational programming, Spanish-language content, and emergency alerts to those who might otherwise be cut off by terrain, cost, or limited broadband.
The outage underscores the need for infrastructure upgrades to ensure reliable and equitable public access to essential information in mountain communities. However, a fix is more complex: the site has been operating on a power line that is more than 40 years old.
Recent troubleshooting and fault isolation indicate that the failure originates in the upper segment of the power line, located in the “Baldy Bowl” area. This section lies in extremely rugged, high-elevation terrain. With freeze cycles and winter now approaching, repairs cannot be made until summer 2026 at the earliest, pending weather and safe access.
While the power line has been operating far beyond its expected lifespan, SPRTV has made significant progress on a new power line to supply the transmission site. A substantial portion of cable has been installed, and along a more sustainable route, thanks to the “Power the Tower” campaign and local funding. The project has involved extensive permitting, environmental review, and engineering work, all conducted in accordance with county and federal regulations.
“We have done the work, followed every rule, and are truly close to the finish for the new power line,” said Neil Groundwater, Engineer and Board VP of SPRTV. “We remain ready to complete the final phase as soon as the necessary conditions and permissions allow. Our goal is to bring reliable, free broadcasting back to Summit County as quickly and safely as possible.”
The organization emphasized that partner stations’ cable, satellite, and streaming feeds remain unaffected. However, over-the-air reception will remain down until power can be restored to the SPRTV Electronics Site on Bald Mountain. Independent stations with their own or alternate transmitting sites are not impacted.
“Our mission has always been simple — keep Summit County connected,” said Sue Greene, Board President of SPRTV. “We have been rebroadcasting over-the-air signals supporting equitable access to public television, culture, world-class jazz, classical music, sports, news, and Spanish-language programming for years. Those transmissions reach the High Country because of the Bald Mountain transmission site and a dedicated team of volunteers.”
Greene noted, “Completing the new power line is an urgent and the most sustainable priority for SPRTV and for Summit County. In the meantime, we are still here for the community we serve and are working hard behind the scenes to ensure a return to the airwaves this summer.”
Keep on top of the power outage
Updates will be posted on SPRTV.org, social media, and the SPRTV newsletter, while progress summaries will be shared directly with partner broadcasters, supporters, and the community.
See the list of SPRTV’s affected partner radio and television stations, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about the power line here.