KIIX-AM, the Fort Collins 1410 kHz AM facility. The KIIX call sign had previously been used by a different station on 600 kHz, now KCOL.
History: The 1410 kHz facility began broadcasting in 1947 under the name KCOL; early broadcast directories list its original assignment at 1400 kHz, followed by its later operation at 1410. On November 5, 1999, the call letters KIIX were transferred from the 600 kHz station to this 1410 kHz facility. This exchange joined two separate facility histories: the long-running 1410 transmitter site and the younger 600 kHz station that had begun as KZIX in 1959.
KIIX-AM is catalogued here as the 1410 kHz facility, not as every station that has used the KIIX name. The call-letter movement is documented in FCC records; FCC historical materials and trade directories preserve the 1410 facility’s earlier KCOL identity.
Sources: FCC call-sign history, facility 68966 (KIIX); FCC facility record, 68966; 1969 Broadcasting Yearbook, Fort Collins listings; 1964 Radio Annual.
FROM THE TIMELINE
Moments in KIIX-AM History
KZIX becomes KIIX
In 1975, Fort Collins' KZIX 600 adopted the KIIX call letters. The station continued its country identity for many years and later added syndicated nighttime talk programming.
KIIX boosts power and changes city of license to Wellington
During the 1980s, KIIX 600 increased daytime power to 5,000 watts, added 500-watt nighttime operation and changed its city of license from Fort Collins to Wellington. The upgraded signal continued serving the broader Fort Collins-Greeley area.
Clear Channel buys KIIX 600 and KTCL
In 1998, Clear Channel Communications agreed to acquire Fort Collins stations KIIX 600 and KTCL 93.3 in a transaction reported at $6.1 million. The deal brought the longtime Northern Colorado stations into the rapidly expanding Clear Channel group.
KIIX and KCOL swap call letters in Northern Colorado
On November 5, 1999, Clear Channel swapped the identities of two Northern Colorado AM stations. KIIX moved from 600 to 1410 AM, while the KCOL calls moved from 1410 to 600 AM. KCOL 600 adopted talk, while KIIX 1410 moved into sports programming.
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