RCA Signal Finder

TV channels & antenna towers in Crested Butte, Colorado

Crested Butte has 120 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying CBS, CW and MeTV. About 11 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K33KJ-D, 2.4 miles to the NNE.

Open Crested Butte in the live finder
120TV transmitters within 70 miles
3networks over the air
2.4 mito the closest tower
1,579population

Network channels in Crested Butte

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
MeTVKREG-TVMeTV3.1 43 mi332° NNW FairGlenwood Springs, CO
CBSKREY-TVCBS10 53 mi243° WSW PoorMontrose, CO
CWKJCT-CDCW8.2 69 mi281° W PoorGrand Junction, CO

Over-the-air TV in Crested Butte

Crested Butte is a small community of about 1,580 people in Colorado. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 120 licensed TV transmitters: 3 full-power, 3 Class A, 9 low-power and 105 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 11 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better.

By distance, 28 transmitters are within 25 miles, 59 between 25 and 45 miles, and 33 farther out.

The strongest network signals here are CBS on channel 10 (KREY-TV), CW on channel 8.2 (KJCT-CD) and MeTV on channel 3.1 (KREG-TV). No ABC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KMGH-TV in Denver, CO, 111 miles to the northeast. No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KKCO in Grand Junction, CO, 95 miles to the west. 1 full-power station in range has no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

Which way to point your antenna in Crested Butte

Point your antenna WSW, at about 243°. The main network towers for Crested Butte sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

KREY-TV (CBS) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Crested Butte. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Crested Butte

The farthest main network tower for Crested Butte is KREY-TV (CBS), 53 miles away with a very weak estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.

Other stations near Crested Butte

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 117; see all in the finder.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
K33KJ-DLow power2.4 mi 20° NNEFairCrested Butte, CO
K27OF-DTranslator2.4 mi 19° NNEFairCrested Butte, CO
K12AK-DTranslator2.4 mi 19° NNEFairCrested Butte, CO
K29NG-DTranslator2.4 mi 19° NNEFairCrested Butte, CO
K35LJ-DTranslator2.4 mi 19° NNEFairCrested Butte, CO
K30EJ-DTranslator5.9 mi 134° SEFairCrested Butte, CO
K32NT-DTranslator5.9 mi 134° SEFairCrested Butte, CO
K31PH-DTranslator5.9 mi 134° SEFairCrested Butte, CO
K34PU-DTranslator5.9 mi 134° SEFairCrested Butte, CO
K36LX-DTranslator5.9 mi 134° SEWeakJacks Cabin, CO
K24KR-DTranslator14 mi 139° SEWeakJacks Cabin, CO
K20JW-DTranslator14 mi 138° SEWeakJacks Cabin, CO
K18IQ-DTranslator14 mi 138° SEWeakJacks Cabin, CO
K14NF-DTranslator14 mi 138° SEWeakJacks Cabin, CO
K06HN-DLow power24 mi 169° SPoorGunnison, CO
K33KE-DTranslator24 mi 169° SWeakSargents, CO
K09TH-DTranslator24 mi 169° SPoorGunnison, CO
K04DH-DLow power24 mi 169° SPoorGunnison, CO
K11AT-DTranslator24 mi 169° SPoorGunnison, CO
K13AV-DTranslator24 mi 169° SPoorGunnison, CO
K22JM-DLow power24 mi 169° SFairGunnison, CO
K10RS-DLow power24 mi 22° NNEWeakAspen, CO
K14OV-DTranslator24 mi 10° NPoorSnowmass Village, CO
K25MR-DTranslator24 mi 10° NPoorSnowmass Village, CO
K26LH-DTranslator24 mi 10° NPoorSnowmass Village, CO

How Crested Butte compares with the rest of Colorado

With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Crested Butte ranks 138th of 225 places in Colorado: fewer than the typical Colorado town (18). Its nearest major network tower is 43 miles away, against a state median of 18 miles.

38% of Colorado's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna.

Setting up an antenna in Crested Butte: step by step

  1. Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
  2. Point it toward 243° WSW, the direction of KREY-TV (CBS), 53 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 11 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is CBS in Crested Butte, CO?

CBS is on channel 10 from KREY-TV, broadcasting from 53 miles WSW of Crested Butte. Estimated signal: very weak.

What channel is CW in Crested Butte, CO?

CW is on channel 8.2 from KJCT-CD, broadcasting from 69 miles W of Crested Butte. Estimated signal: very weak.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Crested Butte?

120 transmitters within 70 miles of Crested Butte; around 11 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional antenna. Each station usually carries several subchannels, so the total channel count after a scan is higher.

Which direction should I point my TV antenna in Crested Butte?

Point your antenna WSW, at about 243°. The main network towers for Crested Butte sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Crested Butte?

Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Crested Butte?

At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Crested Butte?

Yes. The free RCA Signal Finder app for iPhone and Android uses your phone's GPS and compass to show which way each tower is from where you stand.

TV channels in nearby Colorado cities

More: all TV stations in Colorado · West region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Crested Butte; signal estimates ignore terrain.