KPIK-FM was the 94.3 FM sister station to KPIK 1580 AM. The facility signed on in 1962 as KLST and became KPIK-FM after Western Broadcasting acquired it in 1966.
The AM/FM pair simulcast a country format for years, making KPIK-FM one of the early all-country FM stations in the United States. In the late 1970s the FM differentiated itself with a more contemporary sound branded “Super K-94.” The AM and FM were sold separately in 1978 and the FM became KILO.
Studio / Facility Timeline
- 1962: KLST’s original physical studio is documented at 802½ E. Fillmore Avenue, Colorado Springs.
- 1966–70s: after becoming KPIK-FM, the FM shared the KPIK operation; period records document the KPIK operation at 120 E. Platte Avenue. The surviving record does not yet establish whether the FM had a separate studio.
- Later: the lineage became KILO and ultimately moved to 1805 E. Cheyenne Road.
Paired / sister stations: KPIK 1580 AM, 1966–1978.
Sources: FCC history cards; Broadcasting Yearbook; published histories of KILO and KFCS.
FROM THE TIMELINE
Moments in KPIK-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.
KLST becomes KPIK-FM and simulcasts country
Western Broadcasting Co., owner of country station KPIK 1580, acquired KLST 94.3 FM and changed its calls to KPIK-FM. The FM simulcast KPIK's country programming, making the AM/FM operation an unusually early example of country music being carried full-time on FM.
KPIK/KPIK-FM 1969 country operation and personnel
KPIK 1580 remained a 5 kW daytime country station under Western Broadcasting, with KPIK-FM 94.3 duplicating the AM about 67 percent of the time. Period listings identify Donald L. Drennan as general manager, Norm Tester as program director, Jack Bouchie as music director and George James as assistant manager/chief engineer.
KPIK-FM moves to 93.9 and becomes Super K-94
KPIK-FM moved from 94.3 to 93.9 MHz and broke from its full simulcast with KPIK 1580. The FM emphasized contemporary country as “Super K-94,” while the AM retained a more traditional country approach.
George James elected to Colorado Springs City Council
KPIK station manager George James was elected to the Colorado Springs City Council while continuing his broadcasting career.
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.
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