Lou Mellini was one of the most influential radio executives in modern Colorado Springs rock radio.
Mellini moved to Colorado Springs in 1978. After working in sales at KRDO’s radio stations, he joined KILO in 1980 as sales manager. Radio & Records reported that he became station manager in 1982 and general manager in 1985; in March 1987 he was promoted to vice president of Bahakel Communications’ 13-station radio division while continuing as KILO GM.
In 1989 Mellini left to become president and CEO of the Business Radio Network, an early national satellite-delivered business-radio venture. He returned to KILO in 1992 as vice president/general manager.
When Bahakel acquired the Pueblo/Pueblo West operation that became KRXP in 1999, Mellini oversaw both KILO and KRXP. He remained closely identified with the stations for decades and retired in 2017. Beyond broadcasting, he was active in numerous Colorado Springs civic and charitable organizations.
Mellini died June 5, 2023, at age 82. KILO memorialized him as a longtime leader who helped bridge the creative and business sides of radio.
Southern Colorado stations: KRDO, KILO, KYZX/KRXP.
Sources: Colorado Springs Gazette obituary/profile (2023); KILO, “Our Fallen Hero” memorial; Louis Mellini obituary, The Gazette via Legacy.
Stations They Worked At
FROM THE TIMELINE
Career Moments
1980: Lou Mellini joins KILO-FM
1980 — After working in sales at KRDO ’s radio stations, he joined KILO-FM in 1980 as sales manager.
1992: Lou Mellini returns to KILO-FM
1992 — He returned to KILO-FM in 1992 as vice president/general manager.
KILO 1995–96 management snapshot
KILO listed Lou Mellini as GM, Jerry Cobb as GSM, Rich Hawk as PD and John Gray as chief engineer, operating from 1805 E. Cheyenne Road.
KILO 1998 programming team documents active-rock additions
R&R lists Rich Hawk as station manager/program director and Don Jantzen as assistant program director/music director. An October reporting panel shows KILO adding Jerry Cantrell, Black Sabbath and Janus Stark, illustrating the station's active-rock/new-music orientation.
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