Lee Larsen was a Denver broadcast executive associated with KOA-AM and its sister FM operation during a consequential period in the stations’ history. He came to Denver from KLOS in Los Angeles and was selected as general manager of KOA and KOAQ in 1983.
Larson continued in leadership at KOA as the two signals developed separate identities; KOAQ eventually became KRFX-FM. His tenure included the news-and-talk station’s coverage of major events and the difficult aftermath of the 1984 murder of host Alan Berg.
Larsen spent 48 years in broadcasting, including time at KFI and KLOS in Los Angeles. He ran KOA and KOAQ for 23 years as general manager and president and retired in December 2010 as president and market manager of Clear Channel Colorado. He was twice president of the Colorado Broadcasters Association, was named one of the 50 best managers in radio by Radio Ink, and was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado Hall of Fame in 2011.
Sources
- Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado, 2011 Hall of Fame: Lee Larsen
- KOA management and Alan Berg, Los Angeles Times
Stations They Worked At
FROM THE TIMELINE
Career Moments
1983: Lee Larsen takes over KOA and KOAQ
1983 — Lee Larsen came from KLOS in Los Angeles to become general manager of KOA and KOAQ. He led the stations for 23 years.
December 2010: Lee Larsen retires from Clear Channel Colorado
December 2010 — Lee Larsen retired as president and market manager of Clear Channel Colorado, capping a 48-year career that included more than two decades running KOA.
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