Don Jantzen

Don Jantzen was a Colorado Springs radio programmer and personality who helped guide KILO through its late-1990s active-rock era.

By 1998, trade station listings identified Jantzen as KILO’s Assistant Program Director and Music Director. In March 2000, FMQB reported his promotion to Program Director/Music Director, describing it as the first program-director change at KILO in more than 22 years. Rich Hawk remained station manager.

In 2001, Jantzen left KILO for KQRC in Kansas City, where he took on afternoon drive and APD/Music Director duties. By January 2004, he had joined Houston’s KTBZ as afternoon host and Assistant Program Director.

Jantzen died in the summer of 2023. KILO later honored him in its “Our Fallen Hero” memorial and dedicated an episode of The KILO Vault to his memory.

Southern Colorado station: KILO.
Documented roles: APD/MD, then PD/MD.

Sources

• Rock Airplay Monitor, November 20, 1998 — KILO station listing
• FMQB, March 10, 2000 — Jantzen promoted to KILO PD/MD
• Radio & Records, August 24, 2001 — Jantzen moves to KQRC
• Houston Chronicle, January 14, 2004 — Jantzen joins KTBZ
• 94.3 KILO, “Our Fallen Hero” memorial
• The KILO Vault, “One Of Our Lost Brothers, Don Jantzen”