KIIQ was adopted on 102.7 FM in 1974 after the former KCMS operation was sold to Mountain States Broadcasting. The station continued contemporary music and Top 40 programming, though with a somewhat less aggressive approach than the KEDI-KCMS “Music Mother” period that preceded it.
Wikes/Abaris Communications acquired KIIQ in 1979. The station explored modern rock in the early 1980s, then changed to KIKX in 1984 and returned strongly to CHR as “Kicks 102.7.”
Paired / sister stations: KIIQ had an AM partner on 1490. The AM and FM had previously been KCMS-AM/FM and were both renamed KIIQ in 1974. The AM later broke away as KRTS, briefly returned to KIIQ, and then became KIKX-AM.
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 KIIQ-FM History
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.
Wiskes/Abaris acquires KIIQ AM/FM; AM becomes KRTS
Wiskes/Abaris Communications acquired KIIQ AM/FM. The AM soon separated from the FM simulcast, becoming KRTS with an adult-standards format, while KIIQ-FM continued on 102.7.
KIIQ AM becomes KRTS with adult standards
The 1490 AM facility changed calls from KIIQ to KRTS while its 102.7 FM sister continued as KIIQ. The AM adopted an adult-standards approach, formally separating its identity from the FM.
KIIQ 102.7 carries modern rock
KIIQ 102.7 was operating a modern-rock format during the early 1980s, an intermediate chapter between its earlier Top 40 years and the later KIKX era.
1490 briefly returns to KIIQ calls
The 1490 AM facility briefly returned from KRTS to the KIIQ call letters before another identity change the following year.
KIIQ-FM becomes KIKX “Kicks 102.7”
KIIQ-FM 102.7 returned to contemporary-hit radio as KIKX, branded “Kicks 102.7.” Historical accounts describe KIKX as becoming one of the market's highest-rated stations.
People Who Worked Here
FROM THE ARCHIVE
Photos, Video & Airchecks
Aircheck · 1984
KIIQ Sept 15 1984 (day before call switch to KIKX)
Final day aircheck of KIIQ before call switch to KIKX. Of note, my last break, I didn't say the call letters. Many voices are included in this but not complete. Red Noise is of note on several tags thoughout and still doing morning drive.
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