KEDI was the 1490 AM identity adopted in 1970 after the KCMS AM/FM operation was sold to Black Forest Development. The AM moved toward information and educational programming while 102.7 FM retained the KCMS call sign and increasingly emphasized contemporary music.
Paired / sister stations: The operation was promoted as “KEDI-KCMS,” and by 1973 the FM side was a full-time Top 40 outlet known as “Colorado’s Music Mother.” In 1974 the AM and FM were sold and both became KIIQ.
Studio / Facility Timeline
- 1953: the 102.7 lineage began as KCMS-FM at the Edmonds operation at 68 Minnehaha Avenue, Manitou Springs (originally broadcasting on 104.9 FM).
- 1956 onward: KCMS-FM moved to 102.7 MHz and used a Cheyenne Mountain transmitter; industry records continued to list the Minnehaha Avenue operating address into the late 1960s.
Sources: FCC history; Broadcasting Yearbook; published histories of KBIQ and KXRE.
FROM THE TIMELINE
Moments in KEDI-FM History
KCMS AM/FM sold; KEDI information format launches
KCMS 1490 and KCMS-FM 102.7 were sold to Black Forest Development Co. The AM became KEDI with an information-and-education concept, while the FM separated musically with classical programming by day and free-form album rock at night.
1972: C.C. Crow joins KEDI-FM
1972 — The 1973 Starship Radio directory lists Crow on KEDI-FM ’s 2–6 a.m. shift and traces earlier air work to KRAN under the name Tommy O’Day, then KCAN, before he joined KEDI-FM in 1972.
1972: Chuck Browning joins KEDI-FM
1972 — The same entry said he joined KEDI-FM in 1972 and listed earlier work at WANL, WRFS and WNUZ.
KEDI/KCMS-FM becomes “Colorado’s Music Mother”
KEDI/KCMS-FM had evolved into an aggressive Top 40 operation promoted as “Colorado's Music Mother.” Historical accounts identify Steve Scott as programmer and describe the FM as an unusually early full-time FM Top 40 outlet.
KEDI 1973 air staff snapshot
A contemporary 1973 market directory lists Chuck Browning 6–10 a.m., Jim Sipes 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Mike Shannon 2–6 p.m., Jack Jennings 6–10 p.m., Tom Flohres 10 p.m.–2 a.m. and C.C. Crow 2–6 a.m. at KEDI. Steve Scott was general manager, station manager, program director and music director; Dana Ross was news director and Tom Flohres chief engineer.
KEDI/KCMS-FM sold and becomes KIIQ
1974 — KEDI/KCMS-FM was sold to Mountain States Broadcasting and the AM/FM combination adopted the KIIQ calls. The FM continued Top 40 with a less aggressive playlist.
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