KILO (94.3 FM) is a commercial active rock radio station licensed to Colorado Springs, Colorado, serving Colorado Springs and Pueblo. It is owned by Bahakel Communications and operates under the “94.3 KILO” brand. The station’s effective radiated power is 79,000 watts, with a transmitter height of 670 metres above average terrain. Its current website is kilo943.com.
History
The station began broadcasting on August 22, 1962, as KLST(FM) on 94.3 MHz, owned by Little London Broadcasting. Its studios were at 802½ East Fillmore Avenue. Western Broadcasting Company, owner of KPIK 1580 AM, acquired the FM station in 1966 and changed its call letters to KPIK-FM. The AM and FM stations simulcast country music, making KPIK-FM one of the early full-time country outlets on FM in the United States.
In 1977, the FM station separated its programming from KPIK-AM, adopted the “Super K-94” identity and moved to 93.9 MHz. KILO Broadcasting Corporation acquired the FM station in 1978, changed its call letters to KILO and introduced album-oriented rock. Bahakel Communications purchased the station in 1984. KILO later shifted from album-oriented rock to active rock. In 1994, it returned to 94.3 MHz, where it remains.
The station’s published business address was 707 South Tejon Street through at least 1990. By 1993, station directories listed it at 1805 East Cheyenne Road, its current studio location, where it shares facilities with sister station KRXP.
Ownership
- 1962–1966: Little London Broadcasting (KLST-FM).
- 1966–1978: Western Broadcasting Company (KPIK-FM).
- 1978–1984: KILO Broadcasting Corporation (KILO).
- 1984–present: Bahakel Communications; licensed through Colorado Springs Radio Broadcasters, Inc.
Technical information
- Frequency: 94.3 MHz.
- Effective radiated power: 79,000 watts.
- Height above average terrain: 670 metres.
- Facility ID: 12367.
- Current format: Active rock.
- Current station website: 94.3 KILO.
Studio locations
- 802½ East Fillmore Avenue, Colorado Springs: studio address when the station began in 1962 as KLST-FM.
- 707 South Tejon Street, Colorado Springs: published business address through at least 1990.
- 1805 East Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80905: listed by 1993 and the current station location.
Sources: Wikipedia, “KILO”; 94.3 KILO, official location page; Colorado Broadcasters Association, KILO-FM.
Sources
- Wikipedia, “KILO” — call-sign, format and ownership chronology, with references to contemporary Colorado Springs newspapers.
- Colorado Broadcasters Association, KILO-FM — current owner, format and station website.
- FCCInfo Colorado Springs FM facility listing — licensed frequency, power, height and facility ID.
- Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado, Colorado radio chronology.
- 94.3 KILO, official station website.
Awards & Recognitions
Documented awards, honors, and finalist or nomination recognition associated with this station or broadcaster.
- 2016Award of ExcellenceColorado Broadcasters AssociationBest Radio Commercial for an AdvertiserBlack Falcon School — “Midevil Swordplay” — Brent Hatcher, Ross Ford2016 Awards of Excellence
- 2015Award of ExcellenceColorado Broadcasters AssociationBest Radio Commercial for an AdvertiserSelf Made Tattoo — Brent Hatcher2015 Awards of Excellence
- 2014Award of ExcellenceColorado Broadcasters AssociationBest Station Promotion/Marketing CampaignKILO On-Air Recruitment — Brent Hatcher, Ross Ford2014 Awards of Excellence
- 2011WinnerColorado Broadcasters Association Radio AwardsBest On-Air Contest for a StationKILO’s Nightmare After Christmas2011 Radio Winners
- 2011WinnerColorado Broadcasters Association Radio AwardsBest Station Imaging/Marketing CampaignTragedy and Pride2011 Radio Winners
- 2011WinnerColorado Broadcasters Association Radio AwardsBest Station WebsiteKILO943.com2011 Radio Winners
- 2007Station of the YearColorado Broadcasters Association Awards of ExcellenceRadio Station of the Year — Major MarketCBA Awards of Excellence archive
- 1989WinnerBillboard Radio AwardsSmall-Market Album Rocker of the YearKILO-FM, Colorado Springs; overseen by Rich HawkBillboard, September 30, 1989
STATION FILE
FROM THE TIMELINE
Moments in KILO-FM History
KLST(FM) begins broadcasting on 94.3
KLST(FM) began broadcasting on 94.3 MHz under Little London Broadcasting. Douglas W. Dailey served as the first president/general manager, and studios were at 802 East Fillmore Avenue. This facility later became KPIK-FM and, in 1978, KILO.
KPIK-FM becomes KILO and shifts to album rock
KPIK-FM adopted the KILO call letters and shifted from country toward album-oriented rock. The metric-themed name arrived just before the station was separated from KPIK AM ownership.
FCC approves $302,074 sale of KILO
The FCC granted assignment of KILO 93.9 from Western Broadcasting to KILO Broadcasting for $302,074. Trade reporting identified Robert D. Telmosse as 51-percent owner and James L. Pinkston as 49-percent owner. KPIK AM was sold separately, with George James becoming its owner.
KILO establishes major AOR ratings presence
KILO's album-oriented-rock format was establishing the station as a major Colorado Springs market force. Later trade advertising described KILO as the market's most-listened-to station continuously from 1980 through 1986; that characterization is retained as an attributed promotional claim.
1980: Lou Mellini joins KILO-FM
1980 — After working in sales at KRDO ’s radio stations, he joined KILO-FM in 1980 as sales manager.
1983: Bell & Brull take over KILO mornings
August 1983 — Jennifer Bell and Dave Brull became the new morning team at KILO 94. Bell continued as the station’s Assistant Program Director, while Brull moved from middays and continued as Production Director.
1984: Bahakel acquires KILO
1984 — Bahakel Communications acquired KILO 93.9 from local ownership, beginning the ownership relationship that continues today.
KILO posts reported 18 share amid CHR battle
A contemporary trade account cited a summer Birch 18 share for KILO. Competitive-era reporting also described KKMG rising from 5.2 to 7.1 while KIKX declined from 9.6 to 6.1. These figures are preserved as source-specific ratings snapshots rather than universal market averages.
1989: Alan White leaves KILO for Atco Records
Late 1989 — KILO Music Director Alan White left Colorado Springs radio for a Denver-based record-promotion position with Atco Records. Trade coverage subsequently identified the former KILO MD as Atco’s Denver local representative.
Rich Hawk and KILO cap major late-1980s rock run
Rich Hawk was a central programming figure during KILO's major rock-radio run. Later biographical records credit KILO with Billboard Station of the Year honors in 1988, 1989 and 1990 and Hawk with a Golden Ears award in 1990.
1991: Alan White returns to KILO as APD/afternoon host
December 1991 — Alan White returned to KILO 94.3 as Assistant Program Director and afternoon-drive personality after working in record promotion in Denver.
Rich Hawk named Program Director of the Year; Catherine Swendsen promoted
Rich Hawk received industry recognition as Program Director of the Year. Catherine Swendsen was promoted to music director after three years with KILO.
1992: Lou Mellini returns to KILO-FM
1992 — He returned to KILO-FM in 1992 as vice president/general manager.
KILO 1993 management and programming roster
The 1993 Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook lists Rich Hawk as KILO station manager and program director, Greg Allen as promotions manager, Craig Kopp as music director, Gary Street as news director and John Gray as chief engineer. KILO remained album-oriented rock under Bahakel Communications and was listed at 1805 E. Cheyenne Road.
By 1993: KILO moves from S. Tejon to E. Cheyenne Road
By 1993 — KILO’s published station address had moved from 707 S. Tejon Street to 1805 E. Cheyenne Road, the facility that remains KILO’s home today.
1993: Dave Milne joins KILO nights
Sept. 17, 1993 — Former KATT/Oklahoma City morning host Dave Milne joined KILO 94.3 for the night shift.
1993: Alan White adds KILO music-director duties again
July 1993 — After Catherine Swendson left KILO, Alan White again took on Music Director duties in addition to his Assistant Program Director role.
Hard Report profiles Rich Hawk and KILO’s evolution
A December Hard Report profile documented Rich Hawk's unusually long tenure at KILO and the station's evolution through changing rock formats, ownership and frequency. Hawk recalled arriving in Colorado Springs in 1973, working in news and mornings at KPIK, and becoming part of the group that created KILO after Bob Telmosse and a partner acquired the FM.
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: Alan White exits KILO
Feb. 8, 1994 — Alan White left KILO 94.3 to pursue opportunities outside radio. Dave Milne moved into afternoon drive and APD duties, while Dave Hawkins joined from KKFM/KKMG as evening personality and Production Director.
1994: Dave Hawkins joins KILO evenings and production
January 1994 — Dave Hawkins, then Production Director for KKFM/KKMG, joined KILO 94.3 as evening personality and Production Director.
1994: Dave Milne moves to KILO afternoons and APD
Feb. 8, 1994 — With Alan White leaving KILO 94.3, night personality Dave Milne moved to afternoon drive and took over Assistant Program Director duties.
1994: KILO moves from 93.9 to 94.3 FM
1994 — KILO changed frequency from 93.9 MHz to 94.3 MHz, returning the facility to the frequency on which KLST had originally signed on in 1962.
KILO 1995–96 management snapshot
KILO listed Lou Mellini as GM, Jerry Cobb as GSM, Rich Hawk as PD and John Gray as chief engineer, operating from 1805 E. Cheyenne Road.
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.
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.
1997: Dave Hawkins exits KILO evenings
February 1997 — Dave Hawkins left the evening shift at KILO 94.3 after roughly three years at the station.
Jason Janc joins KILO
Jason Janc joined KILO as an announcer, beginning a long association with Bahakel's Colorado Springs radio operation.
KILO 1998 programming team documents active-rock additions
R&R lists Rich Hawk as station manager/program director and Don Jantzen as assistant program director/music director. An October reporting panel shows KILO adding Jerry Cantrell, Black Sabbath and Janus Stark, illustrating the station's active-rock/new-music orientation.
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: Dave Hawkins returns to KILO
September 1998 — Dave Hawkins left KKCS and returned to KILO 94.3, continuing his long association with the station.
1998: Dave Hawkins leaves KKCS-AM
September 1998 — In September 1998 he left KKCS-AM to return to KILO .
September 1998: Dave Hawkins returns to KILO-FM
September 1998 — Dave Hawkins returned to KILO-FM in September 1998.
Bahakel agrees to sell KCSJ and KGHF back to McCoy
Only months after Bahakel acquired KCSJ, KGHF and KYZX for $4.5 million, Bahakel agreed to sell KCSJ 590 and KGHF 1350 to Craig W. McCoy's McCoy Broadcasting for $912,000 cash. McCoy already owned KCCY and KDZA-FM in Pueblo, reassembling a four-station Pueblo group while Bahakel retained KILO and KYZX.
2001: Don Jantzen leaves KILO-FM
2001 — In 2001, Jantzen left KILO-FM for KQRC in Kansas City, where he took on afternoon drive and APD/Music Director duties.
KRXP restructures mornings and programming leadership
X103.9 KRXP changed its weekday lineup in July 2025, adding the syndicated Woody and Wilcox show in mornings and moving Andy Crowley to afternoons. Carly Evans departed the Program Director role, and KILO Program Director and cluster Operations Manager Ross Ford added programming oversight of KRXP.
People Who Worked Here
Adam King
Alan White (Al Vasquez)
Andy Crowl
Art Phillips
Bob Ely / Bob Ihle / Cutter
Brent Hatcher
Bryan Waters
Caraigh Clarkson
Cate Carrier
Catherine Swendsen
Charlie Brown
Chris Austin
Craig Koehn / Chris Brooks
D. P. Pinkston
Dave Brull
Dave Hawkins
Dave Milne
Dick Holler
Dirk Kirkland
Don Jantzen
Douglas W. Dailey
Emily Nixx
Gary Street
George James
Greg Applebee
Greg Thomas
Hosh
Jason Janc
Jennifer Bell
Johnny G
Krystal Pino
Kurt Grow
Lou Mellini
Mike Tapia
Mr. Mehoff
Nancy Harris
Nick Miller
Opie
OX
Red Noise
Rich Bryan
Rich Hawk
Rick Roddam
Robert D. Telmosse
Ross Ford
Shawn Lucero
Sid Black
Steve Ryan
Summer Justice
Virginia Swanson
Wendy Campbell
Zakk
KEEP EXPLORING
Go further down the dial
HELP IMPROVE THE ARCHIVE
See something that needs a correction?
Suggest a correction or add information to this station. Nothing changes publicly until it is reviewed.