KCMS was the original identity of the FM facility now on 102.7. It signed on in July 1953 at 104.9 FM as “Colorado’s Classical Music Station,” created by Bud Edmonds and Garden of the Gods Broadcasting. The station moved to 102.7 in 1956 and transmitted from Cheyenne Mountain.
Paired / sister stations: In 1956 KCMS gained a 1490 AM simulcast partner. The AM and FM remained linked through several identities. In 1970 the AM became KEDI while the FM remained KCMS, and the pair promoted itself as “KEDI-KCMS.” In 1974 both became KIIQ.
By 1973 the FM had evolved into full-time Top 40, programmed by Steve Scott, and became an early FM competitor to KYSN.
Studio / Facility Timeline
- 1953: the 102.7 lineage began as KCMS-FM at the Edmonds operation at 68 Minnehaha Avenue, Manitou Springs (originally broadcasting on 104.9 FM).
- 1956 onward: KCMS-FM moved to 102.7 MHz and used a Cheyenne Mountain transmitter; industry records continued to list the Minnehaha Avenue operating address into the late 1960s.
Sources: FCC history cards; Broadcasting Yearbook; published histories of KBIQ and KXRE.
FROM THE TIMELINE
Moments in KCMS-FM History
KCMS 1490 AM begins as KCMS-FM simulcast
KCMS 1490 AM began broadcasting at 100 watts as a simulcast companion to KCMS-FM. The AM facility survives today under different call letters.
KCMS AM/FM sold; KEDI information format launches
KCMS 1490 and KCMS-FM 102.7 were sold to Black Forest Development Co. The AM became KEDI with an information-and-education concept, while the FM separated musically with classical programming by day and free-form album rock at night.
KEDI/KCMS-FM becomes “Colorado’s Music Mother”
KEDI/KCMS-FM had evolved into an aggressive Top 40 operation promoted as “Colorado's Music Mother.” Historical accounts identify Steve Scott as programmer and describe the FM as an unusually early full-time FM Top 40 outlet.
KEDI/KCMS-FM sold and becomes KIIQ
1974 — KEDI/KCMS-FM was sold to Mountain States Broadcasting and the AM/FM combination adopted the KIIQ calls. The FM continued Top 40 with a less aggressive playlist.
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