Since the demise of KHHT 107.5 in 1997, Denver had been without a true CHR. As the popularity of the format began to grow, the demand for such a station to return to Denver began to grow. Meanwhile, KRKI in Estes Park had been granted a construction permit to upgrade its facilities and begin serving the Denver/Boulder market as a rimshot station. “102.1 K-Rocky” signed off in January of 2000. What followed in the next eight months was a waiting game. The station was often dark, but could sometimes be heard playing a test tape mixed with rock, alternative and country. Finally, on August 24th, 102.1 stopped stunting and signed on with a Top 40/Mainstream format as KXUU “U102, Denver’s Hit Music Station.”

Interestingly enough, the format only lasted about a week. Across town, Clear Channel flipped Smooth Jazz station 95.7 KHIH to its fast-growing Top 40/Mainstream format as KFMD “95-7 Kiss FM.” Because of the signal difference between 95.7 and 102.1, KXUU made a quick decision to tweak its format in a more Urban direction, keeping the “U102″ moniker, but now using the slogan “Denver’s Beat.”

Denver has never been a CHR-friendly town. After the loss of KPKE and Y-108, Denver was left with two rimshot CHR/Rhythmic stations and a Modern AC. Meanwhile, KWMX-FM 107.5 “Mix 107.5″ was beginning to slump in the ratings. KOSI 101.1 had beaten them in the adult demographic, so in early 1996 they switched to a CHR/Alternative hybrid and changed their name to “107-5 The Mix.” This format didn’t really take off either, due to the high profile of another station, KALC 105.9 “Alice 106.” In early July 1996, the morning show at KWMX was let go. On August 9th, the station began interrupting music with a robotic “Testing 123…” Finally, on August 10th, The Mix gave way to stunting, as 107.5 began to play the audio tracks to “Star Wars” and “Herbie.” Every few minutes, a robotic voice would come on the air saying “Today at five on 107.5. Be here. We think you’ll like it.” At 5:00 pm, the stunting ended, and “K-Hits 107.5″ debuted. While still heavy on the Alternative cuts, the station was definitely going for the CHR audience.

Unfortunately, it never took off. The station was poorly promoted and poorly programmed. In January of 1997, Jefferson-Pilot moved the calls and format of its newly acquired station KQKS (KS-104) to the 107.5 spot, thus putting an end to “K-Hits 107.5″ and marking the start of “KS- 107-5.”

Previous Format: Country “Z92.5″ KZDG
New Format: Classical KVOD
Date & Time Of Change: March 13, 1996
More Info: Wikipedia

Related Changes: 99.5 KVOD Becomes Classic Rock The Hawk

Previous Format: Classical KVOD
New Format: Classic Rock “99.5 The Hawk” KKHK
Date & Time Of Change: March 13, 1996
More Info: Wikipedia

Related Changes: Z92.5 KZDG Becomes Classical KVOD

Previous Format: Alternative “92X” KNRX
New Format: Dance CHR “Jam’n 92.1″ KJMN
Date & Time Of Change: February 29, 1996 at 8:00pm
More Info: Wikipedia