KPPF

KPPF (1040 AM) is a radio station licensed to Monument, Colorado. Owned by Power 95.7, LLC, it broadcasts a classic hip hop format. The station serves Colorado Springs, through its main signal and two FM translators on 95.7 and 98.5.

For the airport serving Parsons, Kansas assigned the ICAO code KPPF, see Tri-City Airport (Kansas).
KPPF
CityMonument, Colorado
Broadcast areaColorado Springs, Colorado
Frequency1040 kHz (HD Radio)
BrandingPower 95.7, 1040, 98.5[1]
Programming
FormatClassic hip hop
Ownership
OwnerPower 95.7, LLC
KFEZ, KWRP
History
First air date
1986 (as KKRE)
Former call signs
KRTS (1986)
KKRE (1986-1989)
KCBR (1989-2020)
Technical information
Facility ID10846
ClassD
Power15,000 watts day
2,000 watts critical hours
Transmitter coordinates
38°49′8″N 104°46′32″W
Translator(s)95.7 K239CH (Colorado Springs)
98.5 K253AH (Colorado Springs)

The main frequency of KPPF is 1040 AM; it is a United States clear-channel frequency on which WHO in Des Moines, Iowa is the dominant Class A station. KPPF must leave the air during the period from sunset to sunrise to protect the nighttime skywave signal of the Class A station.

History

The station first signed on back in 1986 as KKRE, broadcasting a Christian Adult Contemporary format and one a handful of stations at the time that did an all Christian music format. The studio was located in Monument during its early years. In late 1988, after losing too much money, KKRE flipped to a Business News/Talk format via the Colorado Springs-based network at the time BRN (Business Radio Network). KKRE would later change its call letters to KCBR (originally standing for "Colorado's Business Radio") that would reflect the Business format on the station. In 1991, after BRN switched its flagship affiliated station, KCBR went dark. By 1992, under the ownership of the owners of KCMN at the time (and one of the Country's first duopolies) KCBR returned to the air with Combination format of Christian Talk and Christian AC, and the call letters now stood for "Colorado's K-Bright." KCBR ran Christian teaching and talk programs during the morning hours and played Christian Music in the afternoons and Weekends. With the sign on of KBIQ on the FM band KCBR gradually phased out the Christian AC music. In the late 1990s, KCBR along with KCMN were sold to Crawford Broadcasting Company. Crawford soon adopted the nickname "Victory Radio" for KCBR.

In August 2006, Don Crawford Jr. son of Crawford Broadcasting owner Don Crawford Sr. bought KCBR and KCMN, for an undisclosed amount. (Formally, KCBR was purchased by a new company called DJR Broadcasting, owned by Crawford.) The new owner said that the formats and staffing would stay the same at the stations. Crawford Jr. had begun working at Crawford Broadcasting in 1989, and had been a regional manager since 1994, responsible for the company's stations in Colorado Springs, Denver, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Following the purchase, Crawford was to continue to manage KAAM in Dallas.[2]

Beginning in 2007, the station began broadcasting in HD Radio format.[3]

In 2012, DJR Broadcasting sold KCBR (along with sister station KCMN) to Pueblo Radio Group. The new owners gradually made changes to the station, eventually dropping the Christian Talk programs in August. The station transitioned to a News/Talk format in October with longtime KCMN/KCBR personality Tron Simpson from 6AM-8AM and 1PM-2PM, radio veteran Lee Roberts from 8AM-10AM, National Sports Talker Jim Rome from 10AM-1PM, National Syndicated talker Phil Valentine from 2PM-3PM, and longtime local talk radio personality Chuck Baker along with local restaurant owner Chuck Graybill doing afternoons from 3PM-5PM. On March 27, 2013, Laura Ingraham replaced Jim Rome in the 10AM-1PM time frame, when crosstown station KCSF picked up show. After about 22 years on KCMN/KCBR, Tron Simpson left the station after October 10, 2014 pending management and format changes with KCBR. Tron Simpson resumed his daily radio talk show online at www.tronshow.com and was picked up by crosstown KVOR for a Sunday Afternoon local talk program.

On November 1, 2014, KCBR flipped to variety hits as Tailgate 98, also broadcast on FM translator K253AH 98.5 FM in Colorado Springs.[4] The following year, the station flipped to oldies as Crusin' 98.5.[5] On May 4, 2016, KCBR flipped to classic hip-hop as Blazin' 98.5, which also featured programming catering to cannabis in Colorado.[6]

In October 2018, KCBR flipped to a hybrid format of comedy (from the Today's Comedy network) and 90's hits, branded as Hits & Giggles 98.5/95.7. The flip coincided with the introduction of a second translator, K239CH.[7]

Effective June 19, 2019, Pueblo Radio Group sold KCBR and translator K239CH to SGMK Communications Partners for $350,000.

In August 2020, KCBR and its translators flipped back to classic hip hop, again as "Blazin' 98.5."[8]

Effective November 30, 2020, SGMK Communications sold KCBR and the translator to Power 95.7, LLC for $185,000. The station changed its call sign to KPPF on December 16, 2020.

References
  1. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/106093/classic-hip-hop-pot-shows-blaze-into-colorado-springs/
  2. Andrew Wineke, "Son buys KCMN and KCBR from father", The Gazette (Colorado Springs), August 2, 2006
  3. Andrew Wineke, "KRCC Jumps on Next Wave of HD Radio Capabilities: Station's 2 New Digital Subchannels Will Add to Offerings", The Gazette (Colorado Springs), December 2, 2007
  4. Tailgate Party Spreads to Colorado Springs Radioinsight - November 1, 2014
  5. SoCo Resets its Colorado Holdings Radioinsight - September 1, 2015
  6. Classic Hip Hop and Pot Shows Blaze Into Colorado Springs Radioinsight - May 4, 2016
  7. "KCBR Flips For Hits & Giggles". RadioInsight. 2018-10-23. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  8. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/199675/station-sales-week-of-10-16/
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