KRDO 1240 AM signed on in March 1947, becoming one of Colorado Springs’ early postwar radio stations. The call letters are a play on “Colorado,” substituting K for the initial C. Over the decades the station carried network programming, music, local news and talk.
Paired / sister stations: In 1969 the company added KRDO-FM on 95.1, creating a long-running AM/FM combination alongside KRDO-TV. The 95.1 facility eventually became KATC-FM in 2006. The KRDO-FM calls then moved to 105.5.
Studio / Facility Timeline
- 1947: KRDO began broadcasting from the Alta Vista Hotel in Colorado Springs; the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum documents the original operation there.
- By 1953: KRDO established its long-running broadcast home at 399 S. 8th Street, associated with the radio and television operation for decades.
Sources: FCC history; Broadcasting Yearbook; Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum; KRDO station information.
STATION FILE
FROM THE TIMELINE
Moments in KRDO-AM History
KRDO signs on in Colorado Springs
KRDO signed on at 1240 kHz, giving Colorado Springs its second local AM station alongside KVOR. Pikes Peak Broadcasting Co. owned the new station.
KRDO ownership restructuring proposed
An FCC filing documents a proposed restructuring of KRDO's Pikes Peak Broadcasting ownership. The station properties and equipment were valued at $38,000, and the company's address was 118 North Cascade Avenue.
1947: KRDO begins broadcasting from the Alta Vista Hotel
1947 — KRDO began broadcasting in Colorado Springs from the Alta Vista Hotel. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum documents the original AM station operating from the hotel, with its antenna mounted atop the Marksheffel parking garage.
KRDO-TV channel 13 begins broadcasting
KRDO-TV channel 13 began broadcasting under Pikes Peak Broadcasting Co., alongside KRDO radio. KRDO engineering recollections document the radio operation moving into the new television building during the launch period.
1953: KRDO establishes its long-running 399 S. 8th Street broadcast home
1953 — Contemporary television construction records place Pikes Peak Broadcasting and the new KRDO-TV at 399 S. 8th Street, Colorado Springs, explicitly identifying KRDO radio as the affiliated AM station. The facility included two television studios and initially also housed the television transmitter.
KRDO-TV and KOAA-TV challenge Colorado Springs CATV authorization
In consolidated litigation decided in 1969, Pikes Peak Broadcasting Co. (KRDO-TV) and Sangre de Cristo Broadcasting Corp. (KOAA-TV) challenged FCC authorization allowing Vumore Video Corp. to operate a Colorado Springs CATV system importing Denver television signals. The broadcasters argued that the new cable service threatened local television and challenged the adequacy of the Commission's protective conditions. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the FCC's action, noting protections including program-nonduplication requirements and finding no basis to overturn the Commission. The litigation also involved or drew participation from the City of Colorado Springs, Garvey Communications, the National Association of Broadcasters, translator organizations and Pueblo TV Power.
Minority Coalition challenges KRDO-TV license renewal
Pikes Peak Broadcasting filed for renewal of KRDO-TV. The Colorado Springs Minority Coalition petitioned to deny the application, alleging violations of FCC Equal Employment Opportunity rules and requesting an investigation and hearing. The proceeding remained unresolved for several years.
KRDO-FM and KHII enter local marketing agreement
Optima Communications entered a local marketing agreement with Pikes Peak Broadcasting involving country KHII 105.5 in Security. Contemporary market guides subsequently listed KRDO-FM 95.1 and KHII among Colorado Springs operating arrangements, another example of pre-Telecommunications Act consolidation through LMAs and SMAs.
KRDO-FM becomes adult contemporary “Peak 95.1”
KRDO-FM 95.1 dropped its longtime easy-listening approach and moved to adult contemporary under the “Peak 95.1” identity.
FCC renews KRDO-TV with $8,000 EEO liability notice
The FCC resolved the KRDO-TV renewal challenge without designating it for hearing and renewed the license. The Commission nevertheless found deficiencies in minority recruitment efforts and issued an $8,000 Notice of Apparent Liability. The FCC did not find that the station had engaged in employment discrimination.
2017: Renae Roberts joins KRDO-AM
2017 — In 2017 she joined KRDO-AM NewsRadio as morning co-anchor, succeeding her longtime friend and former KKLI colleague Paul Richards after his death in December 2016.
2021: Dan Cochell returns to KRDO-AM
January 2021 — Cochell returned to KRDO-AM NewsRadio in January 2021 as afternoon news host, airing weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m.
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