KKCS-AM

KKCS was used on 1460 AM in Colorado Springs from 1985 to 1989 and again from 1990 to 2003. The AM was closely associated with the market’s “KCS” country identity and its longtime FM sister.

Paired / sister stations: The defining relationship was with KKCS-FM, which had launched at 101.9 FM in 1979. During part of the 1980s, the AM simulcast its FM sister. The 1460 station briefly became KWES in 1989 before returning to KKCS in 1990.

By 1992, KKCS and KIKX were operating under a sales-only LMA. Billboard reported that KKCS General Manager Bob Gourley replaced KIKX GM Dennis Lamme as part of the arrangement. Radio Business Report directories from the mid-1990s show the KIKX/KKCS operation sharing the Centennial Boulevard facility.

The 1993 KKCS management roster included Bob Gourley (GM), Jerry Grant (General Sales Manager), M. Theotis Etchason (Promotions Manager), Charlie Cassidy (Program Director), Dave Shepel (Music Director), Gwen Rhea (News Director) and Mel Rauh (Chief Engineer). Bruce Erickson was listed as KKCS-FM General Sales Manager and Shane Farris as Public Affairs Director.

Studio / Facility Timeline

• 1956: the 1460 facility signed on under an earlier call sign; the earliest physical studio address has not yet been established from a primary source.
• Earlier Walnut Street era: a Walnut Street location has been identified through Southern Colorado radio oral-history research, but the exact street number and date range remain under documentation review.
• By the early 1990s: KKCS was documented at 5145 Centennial Blvd., Suite 200. A 1993 yearbook printed “1545 Centennial,” but multiple independent period Radio Business Report directories consistently show 5145; the archive treats 1545 as a publication typo.
• 1994–97: period RBR directories continue to place KKCS AM/FM and KIKX together at 5145 Centennial Blvd., confirming the shared operation.
• By 2002: KKCS had moved to 3515 N. Chestnut Street, Colorado Springs. The 2002–03 M Street directory lists Jerry Grant as GM/SM and Brian Leifker as PD at that address.

The AM facility became KZNT in 2003.

Sources: FCC history; Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook, 1993; Billboard, Nov. 7, 1992; Radio Business Report Source Guides, 1994–1997; M Street Radio Directory 2002–03; Southern Colorado radio oral-history contribution regarding the earlier Walnut Street location.

FROM THE ARCHIVE

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Backstage with Terri Clark @ Cowboys.