KBIQ-FM

Studio history

Salem Communications operated KBIQ and KGFT from 6760 Corporate Drive, Suite 340 in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Contemporary industry directories document the stations there through the 2002–03 period. By 2004, records place KBIQ at 7150 Campus Drive, Suite 150, establishing that Salem moved the operation from Corporate Drive to Campus Drive around 2003–04. Later Salem directories list the Colorado Springs cluster at the Campus Drive facility.

Archive note: KBIQ/Salem should not be confused with Citadel/Cumulus at 6805 Corporate Drive; these were separate radio facilities.

2024–25 ownership and programming change

In December 2024, Salem Media Group agreed to sell KBIQ 102.7 to Educational Media Foundation (EMF) as part of an $80 million transaction involving seven of Salem’s contemporary Christian music stations. The sale was part of Salem’s broader effort to reduce debt and exit its remaining music-formatted Christian stations.

KBIQ’s longtime locally branded Christian music service ended on January 31, 2025. Beginning February 1, 2025, EMF assumed programming and 102.7 began carrying the national K-LOVE Christian music service. The KBIQ call letters and 102.7 FM frequency remained in use.

As of 2026, EMF’s K-LOVE station directory continues to list KBIQ 102.7 as its Colorado Springs signal.

Sources: Salem Media Group; Educational Media Foundation/K-LOVE; Radio Ink, Dec. 30, 2024; Colorado Springs Gazette, Jan. 27, 2025; FOX21 Colorado Springs, Jan. 2025.

FROM THE TIMELINE

Moments in KBIQ-FM History

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July 16, 1953

KCMS-FM begins broadcasting from Manitou Springs

1953 — KCMS-FM began broadcasting at 104.9 MHz from an unusually intimate first studio: founder C. M. “Bud” Edmonds built the station's operating facility in the garage of his home at 68 Minnehaha Avenue, Manitou Springs.

1956

KCMS-FM moves to 102.7 and Cheyenne Mountain

KCMS-FM moved from 104.9 to 102.7 MHz and relocated its FM transmitting facility to Cheyenne Mountain.

1993

KBIQ signs on at 96.1

KBIQ signed on at 96.1 under The Word in Music Inc., a nonprofit Christian broadcaster that nevertheless operated the station commercially because 96.1 was outside the reserved noncommercial band.

Fall 1996

Salem moves KBIQ Christian AC to 102.7 and launches KPRZ 96.1

Salem acquired KBIQ 96.1 and KIKX 102.7. In the fall, the KBIQ Christian AC format and calls moved to 102.7; 96.1 became KPRZ “Praise 96.”

2000

2000: Uncle Steve Etheridge joins KBIQ-FM

2000 — He joined KBIQ-FM 102.7 FM in 2000 and stayed through 2006.

By 2004

By 2004: Salem stations move to 7150 Campus Drive

By 2004 — Salem Communications’ Colorado Springs operation had moved from 6760 Corporate Drive, Suite 340 to 7150 Campus Drive, Suite 150.

2006

2006: Uncle Steve Etheridge leaves KBIQ-FM

2006 — In 2006, Etheridge left KBIQ-FM and moved to Austin, Texas, to join Clear Channel contemporary Christian station KPEZ 102.3 “The River.” He served as afternoon-drive host and music director until the station was sold to CRISTA Ministries in 2010.

December 2024

Salem agrees to sell KBIQ to Educational Media Foundation

Salem Media Group agreed to sell KBIQ 102.7 in Manitou Springs/Colorado Springs to Educational Media Foundation as part of an $80 million transaction covering seven of Salem’s contemporary Christian music stations. The deal marked Salem’s exit from its remaining music-formatted Christian stations and positioned KBIQ to become part of EMF’s K-LOVE network.

January 31, 2025

KBIQ ends its locally branded Christian music era

KBIQ’s longtime locally branded contemporary Christian music service ended on January 31, 2025, after nearly three decades under the KBIQ identity. Salem Colorado Springs management told local media that the station would turn over to Educational Media Foundation programming the following day.

February 1, 2025

102.7 KBIQ becomes a K-LOVE station

Educational Media Foundation assumed programming of 102.7 KBIQ on February 1, 2025, replacing KBIQ’s local Christian music presentation with the national K-LOVE service. KBIQ retained its call letters and 102.7 frequency. EMF’s current station directory continues to identify KBIQ 102.7 as its Colorado Springs K-LOVE signal.