Music takes us back to our childhoods. Whether you’re an 80s kid who grew up plugging headphones into your Walkman or a millennial downloading songs onto an MP3 player, each of us has that genre that hits us with a wave of nostalgia. However, through every shift in technology, radio has remained a constant.
K4CO, our Centennial-based station, is led by owners Sara Duke and Josh D’Estrada. They focus on bolstering community and spotlighting Colorado musicians, who make up a third of the music played on the station.
“The impact I want to have on Centennial is collaboration, partnership, joy, togetherness, and authenticity,” says Sara, Vice President of K4CO.
K4CO President Josh echoes that mission. “I just want people to know our name as a great resource and the company that cares about the small business,” he says. “The nonprofits, and the small businesses, and the Colorado musicians who are just trying to get their name out.”
Sara points to the album covers on their walls of local musicians they’ve seen rise to success, like Mallorie Cordova and Bailey Elora. “It’s cool to be a part of it and say, ‘We knew you when!’” Sara laughs. “But it's truly to shine a light on the amazing talent that we have in Colorado and to see them flourish.”
That sense of purpose extends well beyond music and into the small businesses and nonprofits across Centennial. Their interviews give community members an unfiltered voice, whether that means helping a new business owner reach the right audience or introducing listeners to local standouts. The station also broadcasts live from community events, with the student-run Mountain Music Fest being one of this summer’s highlights.
Looking ahead, K4CO hopes to deepen its community presence. “I want to be more interactive with businesses,” says Josh. And when the next event planner is searching for live music, he hopes they can think, “We need a really good musical act. We need to call K4CO.”
For Josh and Sara, radio goes deeper than just a career. Josh, who previously worked in finance, shared a vision for reimagining Colorado radio with co-founders Kevin Stanley and William Roberts. Sara joined the team six months later, bringing entrepreneurial experience and a shared sense of momentum, and that vision blossomed into a calling. But the roots of their passion stretch as far back as childhood.
Sara remembers buying her first Madonna CD with fondness. “I was always the kid trying to break out of the mold, to think outside of the box,” she says. Artists like Madonna shaped her self-expression growing up. They taught her “to have a voice [and] express yourself.”
Josh’s connection to music is equally personal, though shaped by a different lens. As a musician, he sees music as a powerful form of community building. “There was nothing like sitting up at night making a mixtape,” he says. He loved the intention behind it, the hours spent choosing songs for someone you cared about. “You shared mixtapes with your friends.”
Today, K4CO represents that same idea: Sara and Josh’s personal mixtape to Colorado. Every hour spent coordinating with staff, guests, and partners forms part of a larger offering to the community they love.
1 QUEEN
Freddie Mercury was another “champion” of the 80s, right beside Madonna. His take-it-or-leave-it authenticity made Queen an enduring favorite.
2 MC HAMMER
MC Hammer was the definition of iconic. From helping bring rap into the mainstream to making Hammer pants a fashion statement, he defined an era.
3. MADONNA
As one of the best-selling female artist since 1998, Madonna inspired generations to break the mold, embrace individuality, and never be afraid to reinvent themselves.
4. GREEN DAY
The blend of rebellion and honesty drew fans to Green Day. They came in with guns blazing, proving the best moments in life are often unpredictable.
5. METALLICA
Metallica was, and still is, a total classic. With guitar and thunderous drums that transported listeners to another dimension, music built for turning the volume all the way up.
6. MICHAEL JACKSON
The King of Pop, Michael Jackson changed the game with groundbreaking music, unforgettable performances, and timeless albums that continue to inspire generations.
7. ACE OF BASE
With infectious pop melodies and the chart-topping hit "The Sign," Ace of Base became the soundtrack of the '90s, leaving fans with memories that still bring a smile.
8. MARIAH CAREY
Earned her place among music's greatest performers through her powerhouse vocals, chart-topping hits, and unmatched staying power.
K4CO’s Throwback Favorites
80’s and 90’s hits the team loves
No matter what decade you grew up in, you’ve seen music trends change with the times. K4CO embraces both old and new music, the same way they support growing musicians and businesses already rooted in the community. Sara and Josh were kind enough to share a list of their favorite artists from the past. They reminisce on the decades of sound with staples that shaped their adolescence.