KAFA was the original call sign of Colorado Springs’ 1460 AM facility, which signed on December 21, 1956. The station became KYSN on July 1, 1958.
Facility lineage: KAFA → KYSN → KKHT → KKCS → KWES → KKCS → KZNT.
Sources: FCC history; Broadcasting Yearbook; published KZNT history.
Studio / Facility Timeline
- 1958–60s: KYSN’s original studio was on the second floor at the northwest corner of Colorado Avenue and Tejon Street. A former KYSN employee’s firsthand recollection identifies the building and location; the exact street number is not yet independently established.
- 1964: the Radio Annual lists KYSN at 30 S. Tejon Street. This is the earliest street-number address located in the documentary record, and may represent the same downtown facility.
- Later: the 1460 operation eventually moved through its other Colorado Springs facilities, including 5145 Centennial Blvd. #200 by the early 1990s and 3515 N. Chestnut Street by 2002.
FROM THE TIMELINE
Moments in KAFA-AM History
KAFA begins broadcasting on 1460 kHz
KAFA began broadcasting on 1460 kHz in Colorado Springs. The facility later became KYSN. A 1960 Broadcasting Yearbook retrospectively gives December 15, 1956 and incorrectly prints 1400 kHz; FCC-derived station history and later directories support December 21 and 1460 kHz, so the discrepancy is preserved rather than silently discarded.
KAFA becomes KYSN — “Kissin’”
General Broadcasting Corp. acquired KAFA 1460 and changed the call letters to KYSN, pronounced “Kissin’.” The station developed into Colorado Springs' dominant Top 40 outlet during the following decade.
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.