Gene O’Fallon

Eugene “Gene” O’Fallon was one of the formative figures in Denver broadcasting. He helped put KFEL radio on the air in 1923 and later launched KFEL-TV, Colorado’s first television station.

KFEL radio

O’Fallon was born in St. Louis and moved to Denver with his family in 1901. In 1923 he entered broadcasting as a partner in KFEL, then a 7½-watt station. KFEL broadcast from the Albany Hotel and developed into a major locally owned Denver outlet, eventually operating on 950 AM.

O’Fallon served repeatedly on the National Association of Broadcasters board and participated in the early development of Broadcast Music, Inc. His work placed him at the center of radio’s shift from experimental local service to a mature commercial medium.

Colorado’s first television station

In 1952, O’Fallon put KFEL-TV on Channel 2 on the air. Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado identifies it as the first television station in Denver and in the state. The station operated from facilities at 550 Lincoln Street and later became KWGN-TV.

O’Fallon sold his broadcast interests in the mid-1950s. KFEL radio became KIMN, which would become one of Denver’s defining Top 40 stations.

Recognition

Gene O’Fallon was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado Hall of Fame in 1999.

Sources

• Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado, 1999 Hall of Fame: Gene O’Fallon.
• Colorado Radio Archive, KFEL-AM station history.