KKFM-FM

KFMF(FM) begins broadcasting on 96.5 MHz

KFMF(FM) began broadcasting on 96.5 MHz with 5 kW under F M Colorado Co. The facility later adopted the KKFM call letters and ultimately moved to 98.1 MHz in 1992.

1959: KKFM signs on at 96.5 FM in Colorado Springs

May 2, 1959 — KKFM begins broadcasting in Colorado Springs on 96.5 MHz, establishing the FM service whose license continues today as KKFM 98.1.

KFMF 96.5 personnel and technical snapshot

KFMF(FM) continued on 96.5 MHz at 5 kW under F M Colorado Co. Period directories list James D. Russell, Robert D. Ellis, Ron Menten, George Beattie and Walter Eisenberg with the operation.

1963: Garvey Communications acquires KKFM

1963 — Garvey Communications acquires KKFM 96.5 in Colorado Springs. By 1966, the Broadcasting Yearbook lists KKFM as a 23-kW FM facility under Garvey, affiliated with sister television station KKTV.

KKFM 96.5 technical and personnel snapshot

The 1969 Broadcasting Yearbook lists KKFM 96.5 at 23 kW from an antenna 2,300 feet above average terrain under Garvey Communications, which had acquired the station in 1963. Rush K. Evans was general manager; George Jeffrey commercial manager; Sterling Campbell station manager; Hal Kennedy news director; and H. Cozine Strang chief engineer.

1971: KKFM’s underground era includes Lee Duncan

1971 — Broadcaster Lee Duncan works at KKFM/Colorado Springs during the station's early progressive-rock period. Duncan's career chronology independently places him at KKFM that year.

1973: Michael Birdsong becomes KKFM Program Director

1973 — Michael Howard Birdsong becomes Program Director of KKFM after managing KCMS-FM in Manitou Springs. Birdsong's tenure falls within KKFM's free-form/progressive-rock period and lasts through 1975 according to biographical records.

1974: KKFM documents Colorado Springs’ live-rock scene

1974 — KKFM Program Director Michael Birdsong contributes a series of Colorado Springs concert reports to the national rock-radio trade publication Walrus. Surviving reviews cover shows including the Beach Boys and Jim Stafford, Rare Earth and Sugarloaf, and REO Speedwagon and Wet Willie at the Colorado Springs City Auditorium.

1977: Steve Scott programs KKFM with Art Phillips on the staff

February 1977 — The national rock-radio trade publication Walrus lists Art Phillips and Program Director Steve Scott at KKFM/Colorado Springs. The surviving music report documents KKFM in an album-oriented rock environment, with airplay including artists such as the Eagles, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, Bob Seger, Fleetwood Mac and Genesis.

1983: Dave Ryan becomes KKFM Music Director

April 1983 — KKFM evening personality Dave Ryan is promoted to Music Director at the Colorado Springs rock station, replacing Jack Hamilton. New Program Director Chuck Finney handles middays while Ryan continues evenings.

1984: KKFM promotes Dave Ryan to Assistant PD/MD

February 1984 — Radio & Records reports that KKFM/Colorado Springs has promoted Dave Ryan to Assistant Program Director/Music Director, expanding the responsibilities of the station's evening personality.

1984: Dave Ryan leaves KKFM for KLUC Las Vegas

September 1984 — Dave Ryan leaves KKFM/Colorado Springs to host mornings at KLUC/Las Vegas. Billboard reports that Jon Anderson takes over Ryan's MD/APD responsibilities and Roger Miles moves into Ryan's former evening shift. The move begins Ryan's progression from Colorado Springs into larger-market morning radio.

1985: Chuck Finney becomes corporate programmer for KKFM and KVMT

December 1985 — KKFM programmer Chuck Finney is appointed Corporate Program Director for Sky-HI, Inc., overseeing KKFM/Colorado Springs and KVMT/Vail. The promotion expands Finney's role from local station programming into multi-station oversight.

1986: KKFM shifts from CHR to Colorado Classics

April 1986 — KKFM/96.5 moves away from contemporary hit radio and adopts a rock-oriented “Colorado Classics” approach, including album-oriented and classic-rock material. The change marks a major programming transition in the station's evolution toward the classic-rock identity associated with KKFM in later decades.

1986: Bill Betts takes charge of KKFM

1986 — Industry records place Bill Betts in charge of KKFM during the station's newly rock-focused era. A December FMQB employment notice identifies Betts at KKFM's Lakewood Circle studios; by August 1987 FMQB lists Betts as Program Director and Mark Stevens as Music Director.

By 1988: KKFM operates from 411 Lakewood Circle

By 1988 — KKFM 96.5 is documented at 411 Lakewood Circle, Colorado Springs in the Broadcasting Yearbook, under Citadel Associates Limited Partnership. Earlier period directories place KKFM at 225 S. Academy Blvd., establishing a studio/office relocation between those documented facilities.

1989: Bill Betts leaves KKFM for KBPI; Chris Baker succeeds him

October 1989 — Bill Betts leaves KKFM/Colorado Springs to become Program Director of KBPI/Denver. Contemporary trade reporting identifies Chris Baker as Betts' successor at KKFM, marking another programming handoff in the station's classic-rock era.

KKMG enters local marketing agreement with KKFM

Despite strong audience performance, KKMG 98.9 was reported to be losing money and entered a local marketing agreement with classic-rock KKFM. The arrangement foreshadowed the ownership consolidation that later placed KKMG under Citadel with KKFM.

KKFM moves from 96.5 to 98.1

At 5:30 a.m., KKFM shifted from its longtime 96.5 frequency to 98.1. The coordinated Front Range frequency change cleared spectrum for new KBIQ 96.1 in Colorado Springs and KXPK 96.5 in Denver, materially reshaping FM allocations along the Front Range.

1992: Chris Baker oversees programming at KKFM and KKMG

September 1992 — An FMQB Colorado Springs market snapshot documents Chris Baker simultaneously as Program Director of classic-rock KKFM and Director of Programming at CHR KKMG. Scooter B. Stevens remains KKMG's station PD while Mark Stevens is KKFM APD.

KKMG and KKFM merge morning shows as “Double 98”

1993 Colorado Springs ratings and revenue snapshot

Duncan's Spring 1993 report estimated the market generated about $10.5 million in radio revenue during 1992. Country KKCS-FM led the Winter 1993 12+ ratings with an 11.4 share, followed by classic/AOR KKFM at 9.8, CHR KKMG at 9.3, news/talk KVOR at 6.5 and oldies KSPZ at 6.2. Duncan estimated KKCS AM/FM as the highest-billing operation at about $2.2 million annually.

1993 Colorado Springs radio business snapshot

Duncan’s 1993 market guide estimated Colorado Springs radio revenue at $10.5 million and ranked KKCS AM/FM, KKFM, KSPZ and KVUU as the market’s four highest-billing radio operations. The same period report showed an industry already moving toward consolidation, with local marketing agreements and a pending KVOR/KSPZ/KVUU/KSSS combination alongside the KKFM/KKMG relationship.

1993: Chris Baker leaves KKFM and KKMG for KATT Oklahoma City

March 1993 — Chris Baker leaves Colorado Springs to become Program Director of KATT/Oklahoma City. Radio & Records explicitly identifies him as the former KKFM and KKMG/Colorado Springs programmer.

1993: Pete May works at KKFM

1993 — Veteran Southern Colorado personality Pete May adds KKFM/Colorado Springs to a career that had already included KKMG, KATM, KIIQ and KIKX. His career chronology places the KKFM stop between KIKX/The Max and KKCS-FM.

1993: Dave Hawkins moves from KIKX nights to KKFM production

June 1993 — Dave Hawkins left nights at KIKX 102.7 “The Max” to become Production Director at KKFM. Maria Stevens moved into the KIKX night shift after his departure.

Citadel acquires KKMG and expands Colorado Springs duopoly

Citadel completed its $913,000 acquisition of KKMG 98.9, formalizing the relationship that had begun with the KKFM/KKMG LMA. Duncan's Spring 1994 duopoly report credited Citadel's KKFM/KKMG combination with 17.6% of 12+ listening, 16.8% among adults 25–54 and an estimated 22.4% of market radio revenue.

1994 Colorado Springs radio revenue reaches estimated $13.3 million

Duncan estimated Colorado Springs radio revenue at $13.3 million. Estimated station billings included KKCS at $3.2 million, KKFM $2.1 million, KSPZ $1.5 million, KKLI $1.2 million, KKMG $1.1 million, KVUU $1.0 million and KILO $975,000. Duncan estimated 50.4% of market revenue was controlled by duopolies.

1994: KKFM searches for a new PD and afternoon host

April 1994 — Citadel's heritage classic-rock KKFM advertises nationally for a new Program Director/afternoon-drive personality. The opening documents another programming transition after Chris Baker's 1993 departure and before Paul Johnson's documented tenure as PD.

Citadel and Pourtales sign Colorado Springs joint sales agreement

Citadel Communications and Pourtales Radio Partnership entered a joint sales agreement covering their Colorado Springs and Spokane stations. Citadel set advertising prices, sold airtime, collected advertiser payments, deducted expenses and divided profits with Pourtales. Triathlon subsequently became Pourtales' successor under the agreement.

Citadel’s KKMG/KKFM 1995–96 personnel snapshot

KKMG listed Paul V. Ellis as GM, Paul Johnson as GSM, Scooter Stevens as PD and Dan Remy as chief engineer. Sister KKFM listed Bret Fox as GSM and Paul Johnson as PD. Both operated from 411 Lakewood Circle in Colorado Springs.

KKMG leads Spring 1996 Colorado Springs ratings

KKMG led Colorado Springs 12+ with a 10.8 share, followed by KKFM 9.4, KKCS AM/FM 8.9, KILO 8.2 and KSPZ 6.5. R&R demographic rankings showed KKMG first among 12–17 listeners; KKFM first in 18–34, 18–49 and 25–54; and KKCS first among 35–64 listeners.

1996: Paul Johnson documented as KKFM Program Director

1996 — The Radio Business Report Source Guide lists Paul Johnson as Program Director of AOR/classic-rock KKFM 98.1, with Bret Fox as GSM. The listing provides a firm anchor for Johnson's rise into Citadel Colorado Springs programming management.

KKMG maintains double-digit ratings presence

KKMG remained Colorado Springs' leading mainstream CHR outlet while KILO, KKFM, KKCS, KCCY, KVOR, KVUU and KSPZ formed a highly competitive field. Contemporary ratings published the following year show KKMG maintaining double-digit 12+ shares through this period.

February 1998 Colorado Springs ratings snapshot

A February Billboard market table shows KKMG at 10.0 in the latest listed 12+ book, followed by KKCS AM-FM at 8.8, KKFM 8.6, KILO 7.9, KCCY 7.4, KVOR 6.0, KVUU 5.0 and KSPZ/KKLI 4.5. These figures are a specific published ratings snapshot, not permanent rankings.

1998: Alysabeth Clements firing puts KKFM in national radio trades

1998 — The dismissal of Alysabeth “Beth” Clements, morning co-host at Citadel classic-rock station KKFM, becomes a nationally reported radio-industry story after an on-air discussion of Taco Bell's charge for food substitutions.

Summer 1999 Colorado Springs ratings snapshot

DOJ sues Citadel, Triathlon and Capstar over Colorado Springs JSA

The U.S. Department of Justice sued Citadel Communications, Triathlon Broadcasting and Capstar Broadcasting over the companies' joint sales arrangement. Citadel was setting prices and selling advertising for its own KKFM, KKMG and KKLI as well as Triathlon-owned KVUU, KSPZ, KVOR and KTWK. DOJ alleged the arrangement represented approximately 58 percent of Colorado Springs radio advertising revenue and reduced price competition and advertiser choice.

Citadel and Capstar settle Colorado Springs antitrust case

Citadel and Capstar agreed to terminate the Citadel/Triathlon joint sales agreement. Citadel was to own KKFM, KKMG, KSPZ, KVOR and KTWK, while Capstar would own KKLI and KVUU. DOJ estimated the post-transaction groups at approximately 40 percent and 16 percent of Colorado Springs radio advertising revenue, respectively. The federal court entered final judgment August 24.

1999: Station swap splits the 2864 S. Circle cluster

1999 — A federal antitrust settlement ended the joint sales arrangement between Citadel and Triathlon/Capstar in Colorado Springs and reshaped the stations operating around the 2864 S. Circle cluster.

2000: Bobby Irwin becomes Citadel Colorado Springs Operations Manager

October 2000 — Citadel promotes Bobby Irwin from KKMG Program Director to Operations Manager of its five-station Colorado Springs cluster. The move marks the transition from the Paul Johnson era of cluster operations leadership, although Johnson remains documented as KKFM Program Director until his 2001 exit.

2001: Paul Johnson exits KKFM

April 2001 — National trade publication FMQB reports that KKFM Program Director Paul Johnson has exited. Johnson had been documented as KKFM PD since at least 1996 and had also served in broader Citadel Colorado Springs programming management.

By 2002: Citadel consolidates at 6805 Corporate Drive

By approximately 2002 — Citadel had completed the consolidation of its Colorado Springs radio group at 6805 Corporate Drive, Suite 130, inside the former Tiffany Square shopping complex.

2003: Bobby Irwin and Jim Coda lead KKFM programming

2003 — The Radio Power Book lists Bobby Irwin as Program Director of KKFM and Jim Coda as Music Director. KKFM is identified as Citadel's “Classic Rock ’n Roll” heritage-rock station at 98.1.

2004: Bob & Tom moves to KKFM after KMOM format flip

October 2004 — Clear Channel abandons the rock format on 96.1 KMOM and launches rhythmic KIBT/96.1 The Beat. The syndicated Bob & Tom Show, which had developed a Colorado Springs following on KMOM, is subsequently picked up by competing classic-rock station KKFM.

By 2007: Citadel cluster operates from 6805 Corporate Drive

By March 2007, Citadel Broadcasting’s Colorado Springs radio cluster was operating from 6805 Corporate Drive, Suite 130, Colorado Springs.

2008: Jim Coda documented as KKFM Program Director

2008–09 — The M Street Radio Directory lists Jim Coda as Program Director of classic-rock KKFM 98.1. Mike Knar is General Manager, Kent Hildebrand Sales Manager and Ray Uberecken Chief Engineer. The directory's Colorado Springs ratings snapshot lists KKFM with a 4.6 share and 2,600 AQH.

2009: Darrin Arriens joins KKFM and KKMG as Music Director

April 2009 — Citadel hires veteran programmer Darrin Arriens as Music Director for both classic-rock KKFM and CHR/Top 40 KKMG. Arriens arrives from KHYT/Tucson and later career accounts identify him as Program Director of the two Colorado Springs stations.

2018: JP Peletis joins KKFM afternoons and promotions

June 21, 2018 — Cumulus appointed Jonathan “JP” Peletis afternoon-drive host and Promotions Director for KKFM 98.1. He arrived from WFXF/103.9 The Fox in suburban Chicago.

2021: Dave Grande replaces JP Peletis at KKFM

Aug. 16, 2021 — Cumulus named Dave Grande the new afternoon-drive personality and Promotions Director at KKFM 98.1, replacing Jonathan “JP” Peletis. Trade coverage said Peletis had left for a job outside radio.

Cumulus promotes Jay Davis to oversee Colorado Springs cluster

Cumulus Media promoted longtime Oklahoma City market leader Jay Davis to Regional Vice President, adding oversight of the company’s six Colorado Springs stations: KATC-FM, KCSF, KKFM, KKMG, KKPK and KVOR. Davis continued to lead Cumulus Oklahoma City while taking responsibility for the Colorado Springs operation.