KATC-FM

KATC-FM (95.1 MHz), branded Cat Country 95.1, is a commercial country music station licensed to Colorado Springs, Colorado, and serving the Colorado Springs–Pueblo region. It is owned by Cumulus Media and is affiliated with Westwood One. Its transmitter is near Cheyenne Mountain State Park; its signal is also relayed by a low-power translator in Cañon City.

History

The station began broadcasting on October 1, 1969, as KRDO-FM, a sister station to KRDO-AM. It was initially owned by Harry Hoth’s Pikes Peak Broadcasting Company and played beautiful music before moving to easy listening. In 1994 it adopted the “Peak 95.1” identity and a soft adult contemporary format, later shifting to hot adult contemporary.

After Citadel Broadcasting acquired the station, KRDO-FM changed to country as Cat Country 95.1 on July 1, 2006, and adopted the call sign KATC-FM. The Peak name and adult contemporary format moved to sister station KKPK at 92.9 FM later that year. KATC used the “Nash FM 95.1” brand from 2014 until returning to Cat Country in April 2020.

Ownership

1969–2006: Pikes Peak Broadcasting Company, founded by Harry Hoth.
2006–September 16, 2011: Citadel Broadcasting Corporation.
September 16, 2011–present: Cumulus Media, following its acquisition of Citadel.

Technical information

Frequency: 95.1 MHz FM
Transmitter power: 72,000 watts ERP
Height above average terrain: 695 m
FCC facility ID: 66249
Licensee: Radio License Holding CBC, LLC
Official website: catcountry951.com

Studio locations

Current: 6805 Corporate Drive, Suite 130, Colorado Springs, CO 80919, the Cumulus Colorado Springs studio listed for its cluster. Former: As KRDO-FM, KATC shared a station group with KRDO-AM, but a separate former street address for the FM studio has not been confirmed in the sources consulted. The later “Peak 95.1” identity remained on the same 95.1 facility before its 2006 format and call-sign change.

Address sources: Cat Country 95.1; Cumulus Southern Colorado station information; Colorado Broadcasters Association, KRDO-FM.

Sources: Wikipedia, “KATC-FM” (history and technical summary); Cat Country 95.1 official website; U.S. Department of Justice (2011) (Cumulus–Citadel transaction); FCCInfo, facility 66249 (licensed technical data).

Awards & Recognitions

Documented awards, honors, and finalist or nomination recognition associated with this station or broadcaster.

2013Winner
Colorado Broadcasters Association Awards of Excellence
Best Station Personality
Cat Country Mornings with Cutter & Alisha
2013 Awards of Excellence winners

STATION FILE

Frequency95.1

Best-known brandingCat Country 95.1

FormatCountry

City of licenseColorado Springs

Sign-on1969

StatusActive

Former call lettersKRDO-FM

FROM THE TIMELINE

Moments in KATC-FM History

Explore full timeline →

1969

KRDO-FM begins broadcasting on 95.1

KRDO-FM began broadcasting on 95.1 MHz in Colorado Springs on October 1, 1969. Owned by Pikes Peak Broadcasting Company as the FM sister to KRDO 1240 AM, the station initially aired beautiful music. The 95.1 facility later became today’s KATC-FM.

July 25, 2011

Uncle Steve Etheridge returns to Colorado Springs radio on KATC

After five years away from the Colorado Springs market, Steve “Uncle Steve” Etheridge returned to local radio on July 25, 2011, as morning host at KATC 95.1 “Cat Country.” Road Gato served as producer and sidekick. Etheridge’s earlier local career included KKCS from 1992 to 1999 and KBIQ from 2000 to 2006.

Nov. 27, 2012

2012: Mike Dylan joins KATC as PD/afternoon host

Nov. 27, 2012 — Former Triad KVOX/Fargo Program Director Mike Dylan joined Cumulus’ KATC 95.1 in Colorado Springs as Program Director and afternoon personality.

Nov. 16, 2015

2015: Val Hart moves from KCCY mornings to KATC middays

Nov. 16, 2015 — Former iHeartMedia KCCY/Y96.9 morning co-host Val Hart joined Cumulus’ crosstown KATC 95.1 for middays.

Sept. 10, 2018

2018: Dallace Jade adds KATC middays

Sept. 10, 2018 — Dallace Jade joined KATC 95.1 for middays as Val Hart moved to crosstown KCCY. Jade was also associated with KKMG/Magic FM during this period.

April 2020

2020: Wendy LaBree returns to KATC-FM

April 2020 — In April 2020 LaBree returned to KATC-FM as co-host of the new weekday Cat Country Morning Show with Bo Jaxon.

June 23, 2026

Cumulus promotes Jay Davis to oversee Colorado Springs cluster

Cumulus Media promoted longtime Oklahoma City market leader Jay Davis to Regional Vice President, adding oversight of the company’s six Colorado Springs stations: KATC-FM, KCSF, KKFM, KKMG, KKPK and KVOR. Davis continued to lead Cumulus Oklahoma City while taking responsibility for the Colorado Springs operation.