KTWK was the 740 AM Colorado Springs identity adopted in 1993 when KSSS ended its period of duplicating sister station KVUU’s adult-contemporary programming. KTWK initially developed as a talk/standards-oriented AM outlet.
Cluster history: Triathlon Broadcasting owned KTWK along with KVOR, KSPZ and KVUU in the late 1990s. Citadel handled advertising for those stations under a joint sales agreement. In the 1999 restructuring, KTWK, KSPZ and KVOR moved to Citadel while KVUU moved to Capstar/AMFM.
In March 2000, KTWK and KVOR switched frequencies: KVOR moved from 1300 to 740, while KTWK moved to 1300. The 1300 facility subsequently became KUBL, KBZC, KKML and finally KCSF.
Sources: M Street Journal; U.S. Department of Justice antitrust filings (1999); FCC call-sign history; published history of KCSF.
Earliest Address Record
1957: the original KWBY 740 facility is listed by the Broadcasting Yearbook as P.O. Box 764, Colorado Springs. This is preserved as the earliest address record found so far, but it is a mailing address and is not being represented as a physical studio location.
Studio / Facility Timeline
- 1957–64: the 740 lineage is documented first by mailing address, then at the Antlers Hotel Penthouse by 1964.
- By 1966: the 740 operation was at 3939 E. Marion Drive under the KSSS calls.
- 1984–86: KSSS/KVUU are repeatedly documented at 2860 S. Circle Drive, Suite 1200.
- By 1996: the KTWK/KVOR/KSPZ/KVUU cluster was documented at 2864 S. Circle Drive, Suite 150.
- Later: the 740 lineage became part of the Citadel operation at 6805 Corporate Drive, Suite 130.
FROM THE TIMELINE
Moments in KTWK-AM History
Pourtales four-station group holds 22.3% Fall 1993 share
Duncan's market report grouped KVUU-FM, KVOR, KTWK and KSPZ-FM under Pourtales ownership. Together the four stations accounted for a 22.3% 12+ audience share, 24.4% among adults 25–54 and an estimated 20.4% of Colorado Springs radio revenue, documenting substantial multi-station concentration before later consolidation.
Triathlon exercises $18.5 million Pourtales option
Triathlon Broadcasting president/CEO Norman Feuer, formerly chief operating officer of Pourtales Radio Partnership, exercised an $18.5 million option to acquire ten Pourtales stations in three markets. The Colorado Springs properties were KTWK 740, KVOR 1300, KSPZ 92.9 and KVUU 99.9.
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.
Pourtales cluster operates from 2864 S. Circle Drive
By 1996 — The Pourtales Colorado Springs group was operating from 2864 S. Circle Drive, Suite 150. The 1996 RBR Source Guide places KVOR, KSPZ, KVUU and KTWK together at the facility, with Donn Seidholz as KVOR general manager, Kent Hildebrand as GSM, Jim Arthur as KVOR program director and Gary Meininger as chief engineer; Randy Hill programmed KSPZ, while John Savidge was KVUU GSM and Lee Olson its program director.
Triathlon consolidates KVOR/KSPZ/KVUU/KTWK cluster
Triathlon acquired KVOR and KSPZ while also controlling KVUU and KSSS/KTWK. Advertising time on the group was handled through an LMA/JSA with Citadel, illustrating the rapid consolidation following federal deregulation.
Triathlon reorganizes Colorado Springs licenses
Triathlon filed FCC Form 316 applications reorganizing its holdings into regional license companies. KTWK 740, KVOR 1300, KSPZ 92.9 and KVUU 99.9 were assigned within the company to the newly named Triathlon Broadcasting of Colorado Springs Licensee, Inc.
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.
Citadel and Capstar exchange Colorado Springs stations
FCC transfer filings moved KSPZ, KTWK and KVOR from the Capstar/Triathlon trust to Citadel, while KKLI moved from Citadel to Triathlon/Capstar. Contemporary transaction tables describe the exchange as KKLI plus $10 million for KTWK, KVOR, KSPZ and related assets. The private exchange preceded the federal antitrust settlement later that spring.
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.
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.
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