KKMG-FM

KPLV becomes KRQY and moves toward mass-appeal FM

KPLV 98.9 changed call letters to KRQY and shifted from its AC/AOR hybrid toward adult contemporary/classic hits. The former KVMN facility was moving steadily toward the mass-appeal identity that would become Magic FM.

KRQY becomes KKMG “Magic 99”

KRQY 98.9 became KKMG, “Magic 99,” and adopted Top 40/CHR. Although still licensed to Pueblo and broadcasting on 98.9, the station would grow into an increasingly important competitor across the combined Pueblo–Colorado Springs radio landscape.

Dave Steele begins his radio career at KKMG

Dave Steele began his radio career in 1985 at age 15 as a part-time Sunday operator at KKMG-FM “Magic 98.9,” then broadcasting from Pueblo. Steele later recalled that a snow closure on Interstate 25 led Program Director Lee Reynolds to put him on live overnight duty; Reynolds and Operations Manager Max Miller continued mentoring him afterward.

KKMG rebrands as “The All New Magic FM”

KKMG changed its branding from “Magic 99” to “The All New Magic FM,” reducing confusion with KVUU 99.9 while continuing its CHR development.

KKMG moves Colorado Springs-area studios and turns rhythmic

KKMG moved its studios and offices into the Colorado Springs area and shifted from mainstream CHR toward a rhythmic/Urban crossover approach. Owner/general manager Gary Goodell named Max Miller operations manager and Lee Reynolds music director/afternoon personality.

KKMG 1988 Magic Morning Zoo and air staff

A contemporary Gavin Report roster lists the “Magic Morning Zoo” with Rob Sherwood, Pete May and Donna Kelly from 6–10 a.m.; Damon Scott 10 a.m.–noon; Max Miller noon–2 p.m.; Lee Reynolds 2–6 p.m.; Scooter B. Stevens 6–10 p.m.; Aaron Feliciano 10 p.m.–midnight; and Kooch McKay midnight–6 a.m.

KILO posts reported 18 share amid CHR battle

A contemporary trade account cited a summer Birch 18 share for KILO. Competitive-era reporting also described KKMG rising from 5.2 to 7.1 while KIKX declined from 9.6 to 6.1. These figures are preserved as source-specific ratings snapshots rather than universal market averages.

Lee Reynolds remains KKMG programmer

Lee Reynolds remained KKMG's programmer and contemporary Gavin Report correspondence lists him for Pueblo/Colorado Springs. Reynolds had earlier programmed country KKCS and its AM sister KXXV, remembered as disco-formatted “Studio 153.”

KKMG enters local marketing agreement with KKFM

Despite strong audience performance, KKMG 98.9 was reported to be losing money and entered a local marketing agreement with classic-rock KKFM. The arrangement foreshadowed the ownership consolidation that later placed KKMG under Citadel with KKFM.

1992: Chris Baker oversees programming at KKFM and KKMG

September 1992 — An FMQB Colorado Springs market snapshot documents Chris Baker simultaneously as Program Director of classic-rock KKFM and Director of Programming at CHR KKMG. Scooter B. Stevens remains KKMG's station PD while Mark Stevens is KKFM APD.

KKMG and KKFM merge morning shows as “Double 98”

1993 Colorado Springs ratings and revenue snapshot

Duncan's Spring 1993 report estimated the market generated about $10.5 million in radio revenue during 1992. Country KKCS-FM led the Winter 1993 12+ ratings with an 11.4 share, followed by classic/AOR KKFM at 9.8, CHR KKMG at 9.3, news/talk KVOR at 6.5 and oldies KSPZ at 6.2. Duncan estimated KKCS AM/FM as the highest-billing operation at about $2.2 million annually.

1993: Chris Baker leaves KKFM and KKMG for KATT Oklahoma City

March 1993 — Chris Baker leaves Colorado Springs to become Program Director of KATT/Oklahoma City. Radio & Records explicitly identifies him as the former KKFM and KKMG/Colorado Springs programmer.

Citadel acquires KKMG and expands Colorado Springs duopoly

Citadel completed its $913,000 acquisition of KKMG 98.9, formalizing the relationship that had begun with the KKFM/KKMG LMA. Duncan's Spring 1994 duopoly report credited Citadel's KKFM/KKMG combination with 17.6% of 12+ listening, 16.8% among adults 25–54 and an estimated 22.4% of market radio revenue.

KKMG returns toward mainstream pop CHR

Magic FM moved back toward mainstream pop CHR after its rhythmic/Urban crossover period.

1994 Colorado Springs radio revenue reaches estimated $13.3 million

Duncan estimated Colorado Springs radio revenue at $13.3 million. Estimated station billings included KKCS at $3.2 million, KKFM $2.1 million, KSPZ $1.5 million, KKLI $1.2 million, KKMG $1.1 million, KVUU $1.0 million and KILO $975,000. Duncan estimated 50.4% of market revenue was controlled by duopolies.

Citadel and Pourtales sign Colorado Springs joint sales agreement

Citadel Communications and Pourtales Radio Partnership entered a joint sales agreement covering their Colorado Springs and Spokane stations. Citadel set advertising prices, sold airtime, collected advertiser payments, deducted expenses and divided profits with Pourtales. Triathlon subsequently became Pourtales' successor under the agreement.

Citadel’s KKMG/KKFM 1995–96 personnel snapshot

KKMG listed Paul V. Ellis as GM, Paul Johnson as GSM, Scooter Stevens as PD and Dan Remy as chief engineer. Sister KKFM listed Bret Fox as GSM and Paul Johnson as PD. Both operated from 411 Lakewood Circle in Colorado Springs.

KKMG leads Spring 1996 Colorado Springs ratings

KKMG led Colorado Springs 12+ with a 10.8 share, followed by KKFM 9.4, KKCS AM/FM 8.9, KILO 8.2 and KSPZ 6.5. R&R demographic rankings showed KKMG first among 12–17 listeners; KKFM first in 18–34, 18–49 and 25–54; and KKCS first among 35–64 listeners.

KKMG maintains double-digit ratings presence

KKMG remained Colorado Springs' leading mainstream CHR outlet while KILO, KKFM, KKCS, KCCY, KVOR, KVUU and KSPZ formed a highly competitive field. Contemporary ratings published the following year show KKMG maintaining double-digit 12+ shares through this period.

February 1998 Colorado Springs ratings snapshot

A February Billboard market table shows KKMG at 10.0 in the latest listed 12+ book, followed by KKCS AM-FM at 8.8, KKFM 8.6, KILO 7.9, KCCY 7.4, KVOR 6.0, KVUU 5.0 and KSPZ/KKLI 4.5. These figures are a specific published ratings snapshot, not permanent rankings.

1998: Bobby Irwin returns to Colorado Springs

1998 — After programming stops in Milwaukee, Tampa and Seattle, Bobby Irwin moved his family back to Colorado Springs and began what became a 26-year run with the Citadel/Cumulus cluster. By January 1999, industry airplay records list him as Program Director of KKMG 98.9 Magic FM.

DOJ sues Citadel, Triathlon and Capstar over Colorado Springs JSA

The U.S. Department of Justice sued Citadel Communications, Triathlon Broadcasting and Capstar Broadcasting over the companies' joint sales arrangement. Citadel was setting prices and selling advertising for its own KKFM, KKMG and KKLI as well as Triathlon-owned KVUU, KSPZ, KVOR and KTWK. DOJ alleged the arrangement represented approximately 58 percent of Colorado Springs radio advertising revenue and reduced price competition and advertiser choice.

Citadel and Capstar settle Colorado Springs antitrust case

Citadel and Capstar agreed to terminate the Citadel/Triathlon joint sales agreement. Citadel was to own KKFM, KKMG, KSPZ, KVOR and KTWK, while Capstar would own KKLI and KVUU. DOJ estimated the post-transaction groups at approximately 40 percent and 16 percent of Colorado Springs radio advertising revenue, respectively. The federal court entered final judgment August 24.

Summer 1999 Colorado Springs ratings snapshot

1999: Station swap splits the 2864 S. Circle cluster

1999 — A federal antitrust settlement ended the joint sales arrangement between Citadel and Triathlon/Capstar in Colorado Springs and reshaped the stations operating around the 2864 S. Circle cluster.

2000: Bobby Irwin becomes Citadel Colorado Springs Operations Manager

October 2000 — Citadel promotes Bobby Irwin from KKMG Program Director to Operations Manager of its five-station Colorado Springs cluster. The move marks the transition from the Paul Johnson era of cluster operations leadership, although Johnson remains documented as KKFM Program Director until his 2001 exit.

By 2002: Citadel consolidates at 6805 Corporate Drive

By approximately 2002 — Citadel had completed the consolidation of its Colorado Springs radio group at 6805 Corporate Drive, Suite 130, inside the former Tiffany Square shopping complex.

2003: Chad Rufer joins KKMG as Program Director

Nov. 16, 2003 — Chad Rufer began programming KKMG 98.9 Magic FM in Colorado Springs, arriving from Saga Communications in Clarksville, Tennessee. Contemporary trade reports said he replaced Scotty Valentine.

2003: Woody Powers joins KKMG-FM

2003 — Powers joined KKMG-FM /Magic FM for middays in 2003 .

2006: Chad Rufer leaves KKMG after three years as Program Director

October 2006 — Chad Rufer resigned as Program Director of KKMG 98.9 Magic FM after three years leading the Citadel Top 40 station. He left Colorado Springs to become Program Director of WINK-FM in Fort Myers, Florida, beginning November 1.

2006: Greg “Lazerman” Lazor leaves KKMG-FM

August 2006 — Lazerman left KKMG-FM in August 2006 for a career outside radio.

By 2007: Citadel cluster operates from 6805 Corporate Drive

By March 2007, Citadel Broadcasting’s Colorado Springs radio cluster was operating from 6805 Corporate Drive, Suite 130, Colorado Springs.

2009: Darrin Arriens joins KKFM and KKMG as Music Director

April 2009 — Citadel hires veteran programmer Darrin Arriens as Music Director for both classic-rock KKFM and CHR/Top 40 KKMG. Arriens arrives from KHYT/Tucson and later career accounts identify him as Program Director of the two Colorado Springs stations.

2017: Rex Long takes over KKMG programming

June 26, 2017 — Cumulus named Rex Long Program Director and on-air talent at KKMG 98.9 Magic FM. Long transferred from WHHY/Montgomery after seven years as that station’s PD.

2019: Rex Long leaves KKMG

September 2019 — Rex Long and Cumulus Media parted ways, ending his run as Program Director of KKMG 98.9 Magic FM. He moved to iHeartMedia Salt Lake City later that year.

2021: Dallace Jade leaves Colorado Springs for Q97.3/Shreveport

Feb. 1, 2021 — Cumulus announced Dallace Jade as the new midday host at KQHN/Q97.3 in Shreveport. The company said she was coming from its Colorado Springs operation after a 2010–2020 run as an evening personality on KKMG/Magic FM.

2023: Dallace Jade is back on KKMG in middays

By 2023 — Dallace Jade was back on KKMG 98.9 Magic FM, now hosting middays. Her show won the Colorado Broadcasters Association’s Best Midday Show award in both 2023 and 2024.

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.