Right here stands KXLT-FM. What if I told you that this very station has a history as diverse as Denver’s own music scene?
KXLT-FM first emerged as KLIR-FM on July 9 1959. It was the FM sister to KLIR AM. Back then, KLIR-FM was a modest station. Its power was just 8800 watts.
For years, KLIR-FM mirrored its AM counterpart. It played beautiful music. It also played middle-of-the-road tunes.
Then came a big change. June 7 1984 marked a new era. The station switched to Adult Contemporary. It became KMJI “Majic 100”. Later it tweaked its sound to Soft AC. It even changed its call letters to KXLT “K-Lite 100”.
But the changes didn’t stop there. In November 1991, the “Majic 100” name made a comeback. In 1992, the call sign reverted to KMJI.
Then, in June 1994, the format evolved again. This time it was all about the ’70s hits. The KIMN call sign was picked up on April 18 1995. It was joined by the name “KIM 100”. The original KIMN was a Top 40 giant on AM 950. It was popular from the late 1950s to the early ’80s.
March 3 1997 saw KIMN return to AC. It called itself “KIM 100.3”. In September 1999, Chancellor Media acquired KIMN.
The station evolved into a Hot AC format. It adopted the “Mix 100” moniker. For years KIMN featured 1980s music on weekends. Infinity Broadcasting acquired KIMN in August 2000.
In June 2008, KIMN became the Denver affiliate. It aired “On-Air with Ryan Seacrest”. The station dropped the show in February 2009. Yet it still carries American Top 40 hosted by Seacrest. In March 2009, CBS Radio sold KIMN to Wilks Broadcasting.
Summer 2014 brought another update. KIMN became “Mix 100.3”. The station shifted towards Top 40.
In 2016, the station reverted to “Mix 100”. It adopted a new slogan “Today’s Best Mix”.
On October 12 2015, Kroenke Sports Enterprises announced an acquisition. They would acquire Wilks Broadcasting’s Denver properties. This included KIMN. The sale was approved.
The transaction closed on December 31 2015. The purchase price was $54 million. KIMN kept its Hot AC format.
From the late 1950s to the early 1980s, KIMN on AM 950 was dominant. It showcased local rock bands.
So, as you listen to Mix 100 today remember its journey. It reflects the changes in Denver’s radio landscape. From KLIR to KIMN to Mix 100 it has always adapted.