KRFX (103.5 FM), branded “103.5 The Fox,” is a commercial mainstream rock radio station serving the Denver metropolitan area. It is owned by iHeartMedia. The station broadcasts at 100,000 watts from Lookout Mountain near Golden; its studios are in the Denver Tech Center. Its current website is thefox.iheart.com.
History
The 103.5 FM facility signed on June 1, 1961, as KOA-FM, the FM counterpart to KOA. The two stations initially simulcast a full-service middle-of-the-road format and shared facilities with KOA-TV at 1044 Lincoln Street. KOA-FM later adopted beautiful music before becoming KOAQ “Q103” in 1974. Q103 moved into Top 40 and became one of Denver’s major hit-music stations.
General Electric sold KOA and KOAQ to A. H. Belo Corporation in 1983. Jacor Communications acquired the stations in 1987. On January 18, 1989, KOAQ changed its call letters to KRFX and adopted a classic rock format as “103.5 The Fox.” Clear Channel Communications acquired Jacor in 1999 and renamed itself iHeartMedia in 2014. In November 2025, KRFX broadened its playlist toward mainstream rock while retaining the Fox brand.
Ownership
- 1961–1968: Metropolitan Television Company, as KOA-FM.
- 1968–1983: General Electric.
- 1983–1987: A. H. Belo Corporation.
- 1987–1999: Jacor Communications.
- 1999–present: Clear Channel Communications, renamed iHeartMedia in 2014.
Technical information
- Frequency: 103.5 MHz.
- Effective radiated power: 100,000 watts.
- Height above average terrain: 346 metres.
- Facility ID: 29731.
- Current format: Mainstream rock.
- Current station website: 103.5 The Fox.
Studio locations
- 1044 Lincoln Street, Denver: KOA-FM/KOAQ shared the site with KOA and KOA-TV until 1984.
- 1380 Lawrence Street, Denver: KOAQ and then KRFX operated from the shared Denver radio cluster after the 1984 move, until the cluster relocated in 1999.
- Current station office: 4695 South Monaco Street, Suite 400, Denver, Colorado 80237 (iHeartMedia’s Denver studios).
Sources: Wikipedia, “KRFX”; Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado, “Denver Radio”; 103.5 The Fox, official contact page.
Sources
- Wikipedia, “KRFX” — format, call-sign, ownership and technical history.
- Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado, “Denver Radio” — local radio chronology.
- FCC historical CDBS records, Facility 29731 — facility and licensing history.
- 103.5 The Fox, official website.
Awards & Recognitions
Documented awards, honors, and finalist or nomination recognition associated with this station or broadcaster.
- 2016Station of the YearColorado Broadcasters Association Awards of ExcellenceRadio Station of the Year — Metro MarketCBA Awards of Excellence archive
- 2007Station of the YearColorado Broadcasters Association Awards of ExcellenceRadio Station of the Year — Metro MarketCBA Awards of Excellence archive
STATION FILE
FROM THE TIMELINE
Moments in KRFX-FM History
KOAQ becomes 103.5 The Fox KRFX
On January 18, 1989, Denver's 103.5 FM flipped from adult contemporary to classic rock, adopted the KRFX call letters and became 103.5 The Fox. The change established a classic-rock brand that would remain on the frequency for decades.
Jacor acquires KAZY-FM 106.7
In 1993, Jacor Communications acquired Denver rock station KAZY-FM 106.7 for $5.5 million, adding the station to a Denver operation that already included KOA and KRFX.
KTCL enters joint sales arrangement with KBPI and KRFX
In 1995, KTCL became part of a joint sales arrangement with Denver rock stations KBPI and KRFX. The arrangement came during a period of rapid consolidation in Denver radio and coincided with KTCL adjusting its music direction as KBPI emphasized newer rock.
Seven Denver stations consolidate into a new Tech Center complex
Jacor began planning a consolidated Denver Tech Center facility in October 1998 for KOA, KHOW, KTLK, KHIH, KRFX, KBPI and KTCL. The old studio lease expired in September 1999, creating a firm construction deadline. During the project, Clear Channel acquired Jacor.
2014: Michael Floorwax steps away from KRFX-FM
2014 — Floorwax stepped away from KRFX-FM in 2014 and later disclosed that he had been dealing with severe clinical depression.
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