KDEN-FM was created by Denver broadcasters Gene Amole and Ed Koepke as the FM sister to KDEN 1340. Contemporary station listings place KDEN-FM’s establishment in October 1958 on 99.5 MHz, operating 15 kW from KDEN Broadcasting Company’s facilities at 1601 West Jewell Avenue.
Amole and Koepke used the AM/FM combination for a mix of popular music, jazz and classical programming. The FM station increasingly became identified with classical music and in 1969 adopted the KVOD call letters, “Voice of Denver.” KVOD became one of the country’s notable commercial classical stations.
The 99.5 frequency later became KKHK “The Hawk” in 1996 and KQMT “The Mountain” in 2002.
Lineage: KDEN-FM → KVOD → KKHK → KQMT.
Sources: 1960 Broadcasting Yearbook; Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado — Radio History; 99.5 FM history / FCC-derived chronology.
FROM THE TIMELINE
Moments in KDEN-FM History
KDEN-FM 99.5 signs on in Denver
On October 2, 1958, the FM facility now heard at 99.5 signed on as KDEN-FM. The frequency would later become classical KVOD, alternative KKHK and eventually KQMT/The Mountain.
99.5 becomes classical KVOD
In 1969, Denver's 99.5 FM adopted the KVOD call letters and became closely identified with classical music. The KVOD identity remained on 99.5 until the mid-1990s.
99.5 launches The Mountain and becomes KQMT
In 2002, Denver’s 99.5 FM dropped the KKHK “Hawk” identity and became “99.5 The Mountain,” adopting the KQMT call letters. The change established the Mountain brand that has remained on the frequency for more than two decades.
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