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{{Infobox radio station
| name                = KOSI
| logo                = KOSI 101.1 logo 2015.png
| logo_size           = 150px
| city                = [[Denver|Denver, Colorado]]
| area                = [[Denver metropolitan area|Denver metro area]]
| branding            = ''KOSI 101.1''
| frequency           = {{frequency|101.1|[[Hertz#SI multiples|MHz]]}} {{HD Radio}}
| airdate             = {{start date and age|1968|3|3}}
| format              = [[Adult contemporary]]
| subchannels         = HD2: [[Latter-day Saints Channel]]
| erp                 = {{val|98600|u=[[watt]]s|fmt=commas}}<br />100,000 with [[beam tilt]]
| haat                = {{convert|341|m|ft|sp=us}}
| class               = C
| facility_id         = 67844
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| coordinates         = {{nowrap|{{coord|39|43|45|N|105|14|6|W|region:US-CO_type:landmark_source:dewiki}}}}
| callsign_meaning    = Sounds like "cozy"
| former_callsigns    =
| owner               = [[Bonneville International]]
| licensee            = Bonneville International Corporation
| sister_stations     = {{hlist|[[KEPN]]|[[KKFN]]|[[KYGO-FM]]}}
| webcast             = {{listenlive|https://tuner.bonneville.com/?KOSI-FM}}<br />{{Audacy.com|kosi1011}}
| website             = {{url|https://kosi101.com}}
}}
'''KOSI''' (101.1 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is a [[commercial radio|commercial]] [[radio station]] in [[Denver|Denver, Colorado]].  KOSI is owned by [[Salt Lake City]]–based [[Bonneville International]] and airs an [[adult contemporary music]] [[radio format|format]], switching to [[Christmas music]] for much of November and December.  Its studios and offices are on East Orchard Road in [[Greenwood Village]], and the [[transmitter]] is on [[Mount Morrison (Colorado)|Mount Morrison]] in [[Genesee, Colorado|Genesee]], above the [[Red Rocks Amphitheatre]].
KOSI is a [[list of broadcast station classes|Class C]] FM station, broadcasting in the [[HD Radio]] format.   It carries the [[Latter-day Saints Channel]] on its HD2 [[digital subchannel|subchannel]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hdradio.com/station_guides/widget.php?id=71 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129032555/http://hdradio.com/station_guides/widget.php?id=71 |archive-date=2014-11-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  KOSI's parent company, Bonneville, is a [[subsidiary]] of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]].
==History==
===Construction and launch===
KOSI-FM initially planned to begin broadcasting in the summer of 1967, coinciding with the completion of a new 5,400 square foot studio in northwestern [[Aurora, Colorado|Aurora]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=AUA19670517-01.2.116&srpos=25&e=--1965-----en-20--21-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22KOSI%22-------0------ | title=The Aurora Advocate May 17, 1967 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection }}</ref> The new studio cost more than $367,000 and included a 5,000-watt coverage transmitter. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=IJN19671110-01.2.13&e=--1965-----en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22KOSI%252DFM%22-------0------ | title=Intermountain Jewish News November 10, 1967 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection }}</ref>  KOSI-FM would be joined in the new facility by its [[sister station]], KOSI [[1430 AM]] (now [[KAMP (AM)|KAMP]]).
The studio was not complete in summer 1967 and was delayed to November 5, 1967.  That meant the launch of KOSI-FM was postponed to spring 1968.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=IJN19671110-01.2.15&srpos=2&e=--1965-----en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22KOSI%252DFM%22-------0------ | title=Intermountain Jewish News November 10, 1967 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection }}</ref>
===Beautiful music===
On March 3, 1968, KOSI-FM officially [[sign-on|signed on]] the air.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1969/B%201%20Radio%201969%20BC%20YB.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1969 page B-28]</ref> The station used the tagline "The World's Most Beautiful Music" at launch.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=IJN19671110-01.2.13&e=--1965-----en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22KOSI%252DFM%22-------0------ | title=Intermountain Jewish News November 10, 1967 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection }}</ref> The station broadcast full time in [[FM stereo]].  It aired a [[beautiful music]] format, including instrumental [[cover song]]s of popular [[adult standards]], [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] and [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] [[show tune]]s.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=AUA19680306-01.2.81.1&srpos=3&e=--1965-----en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22KOSI%252DFM%22-------0------ | title=The Aurora Advocate March 6, 1968 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection }}</ref> KOSI FM initially broadcast from 6 am until midnight each day.
KOSI-FM began 24/7 programming on March 2, 1970, after receiving hundreds of requests to have round-the-clock music.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=AUA19700225-01.2.122&srpos=5&e=--1965-----en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22KOSI%252DFM%22-------0------ | title=The Aurora Advocate February 25, 1970 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection }}</ref> KOSI-FM and KOSI AM [[simulcast]] during the overnight hours from midnight until 6 am, broadcasting instrumental music and occasional vocals. Commercials during these hours were limited to six minutes per hour. Both stations resumed separate programming from 6 am until midnight each day. The stations were owned by [[William L. Armstrong]], who would later become a Republican [[U.S. House of Representatives|Congressman]] and two term [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]].
===Easy listening===
KOSI-FM transitioned to [[easy listening]] music by 1980.  It added more vocals and reduced the instrumental titles.  It had hourly news briefs and weather reports. In 1981, KOSI-FM was simulcast in [[Steamboat Springs, Colorado|Steamboat Springs]] on channel 97 through an installation of a translator on [[Mount Werner]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=STP19810101-01.2.24&srpos=8&e=--1965-----en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22KOSI%252DFM%22-------0------ | title=The Steamboat Pilot January 1, 1981 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection }}</ref>
Armstrong sold KOSI-AM-FM to [[Westinghouse Broadcasting]] in 1981. KOSI AM became KEZW in March of that year, carrying an [[adult standards]] format, while KOSI-FM continued playing easy listening music.
In 1983, KOSI-FM added a [[subsidiary communications authority]] (SCA) service.  On regular FM radios, the service could not be heard.  But businesses and restaurants with an SCA receiver could pay a fee for all music with no commercials.  Among all radio stations in Denver, KOSI was rated number one with a 9.5% share.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=ADN19830204-01.2.2&srpos=9&e=--1965-----en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22KOSI%252DFM%22-------0------ | title=Aspen Daily News February 4, 1983 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection }}</ref>
In February 1985, the power cable for the Steam Boat Springs translator went out of commission, causing KOSI-FM to go off the air for the area. It was replaced with pop station KQIX-FM (now [[KMGJ]]) in Grand Junction.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=STP19850307-01.2.129&srpos=11&e=--1965-----en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22KOSI%252DFM%22-------0------ | title=The Steamboat Pilot March 7, 1985 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection }}</ref> The station was restored in July of that year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=STP19850725-01.2.13&srpos=46&e=--1981-----en-20--41-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22KOSI%22-------0------ | title=The Steamboat Pilot July 25, 1985 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection }}</ref>
In 1985, KOSI-FM was rated the number one station in Denver for people aged 25 and 44.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=ATW19850411-01.2.58&srpos=38&e=--1981-----en-20--21-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22KOSI%22-------0------ | title=The Aspen Times (Weekly) April 11, 1985 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection }}</ref> The station remained number one in 1986.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=ODG19870127-01.2.39&srpos=58&e=--1981-----en-20--41-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22KOSI%22-------0------ | title=The Oredigger - School of Mines January 27, 1987 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection }}</ref>
===Move to adult contemporary===
In 1988, Westinghouse sold KOSI and KEZW to D&D Broadcasting, Inc. for $15.5 million.<ref>http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/Archive-BC-IDX/88-OCR/BC-1988-11-14-OCR-Page-0102.pdf#search=%22kosi westinghouse%22</ref>  In the 1980s, many easy listening stations found their audiences getting older, and not as attractive to advertisers.  In response, KOSI began adding more vocals and deleting some instrumental songs.
In 1989, KOSI and KEZW were sold to Shepard Communications of [[Grand Rapids]] for $15 million.<ref>"Tribune Broadcasting buys 2 Denver radio stations." The Denver Post, 7 Jan. 1993, p. 2C. NewsBank: Access World News, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.denverlibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F2929A6DB0FBA6E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/0EB1D208D59A48BF. Accessed 23 Feb. 2023.</ref>
Going into 1990, KOSI general manager Joe Davidman spent several thousands of dollars on research and found less than 9 percent of the stations audience cared about hearing instrumentals.<ref>OSTROW, JOANNE. "`Nature' hour on Colorado River the perfect diversion from winter." The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 1990. NewsBank: Access World News, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.denverlibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F2929A6DB0FBA6E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/0EB1D19E81489FDE. Accessed 23 Feb. 2023.</ref>
On February 6, 1990, KOSI made the transition to [[soft adult contemporary]] music and became known as the "light and easy" station.  The station played all vocals, dropping instrumental versions of songs and replacing them with their original.<ref>http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1990/RR-1990-02-09.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref><ref>OSTROW, JOANNE. "`Nature' hour on Colorado River the perfect diversion from winter." The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 1990. NewsBank: Access World News, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.denverlibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F2929A6DB0FBA6E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/0EB1D19E81489FDE. Accessed 23 Feb. 2023.</ref> After switching formats, KOSI rose in the station's target 25-54 audience and the profitability of the station more than doubled.<ref>OSTROW, JOANNE. "`Nature' hour on Colorado River the perfect diversion from winter." The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 1990. NewsBank: Access World News, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.denverlibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F2929A6DB0FBA6E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/0EB1D19E81489FDE. Accessed 23 Feb. 2023.</ref> In 1991, KOSI was rated the second most listened to station in Denver.<ref>OSTROW, JOANNE. "Mayoral candidates in Channel 12 showdown tonight." The Denver Post, 22 Apr. 1991, p. 1E. NewsBank: Access World News, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.denverlibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F2929A6DB0FBA6E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/0EB1D1C44E2E6DA5. Accessed 23 Feb. 2023.
</ref>
In 1992, KOSI launched a regular Saturday evening show called the "KOSI Copacabana." This show featured four hours of [[disco music]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=OTF19940525-01.2.43&srpos=100&e=--1981-----en-20--81-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-%22KOSI%22-------0------ | title=OUT FRONT May 25, 1994 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection }}</ref> The show included dance and party songs from the 70's, 80's and 90's.<ref>https://kosi101.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/04/KOSI_Copacabana_Saturday_Nights_DL_Carpet_Mill-900x375.jpg {{Bare URL image|date=August 2024}}</ref> In 1992, KOSI was number 3 in the Denver market.<ref>KRECK, DICK. "Aqua Lounge aiming to be a different kettle of fish on 17th." The Denver Post, 22 July 1992, p. 1B. NewsBank: Access World News, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.denverlibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F2929A6DB0FBA6E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/0EB1DB40B2741988. Accessed 23 Feb. 2023.</ref> On January 6, 1993, [[Tribune Broadcasting]] acquired KOSI and KEZW for $19.5 million.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1994/B-Radio-AL-MT-BC-YB-1994-B&W.pdf Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1994 page B-59]</ref>
===Lite Rock===
By 1996, KOSI switched to what it described as "Lite Rock," dropping several non-rock artists thought to be older-sounding.<ref>Denver Post Arts Writer, Steven Rosen. "TUNED OUT Rock music is a complicated matter in Denver." The Denver Post, Rockies ed., sec. Lively Arts, 28 Jan. 1996, pp. F-01. NewsBank: Access World News, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.denverlibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F2929A6DB0FBA6E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/0EAF4483B2FC5AD3. Accessed 23 Feb. 2023.</ref> The station remained third among ages 12+ and ages 18-49.<ref>Denver Post Arts Writer, Steven Rosen. "TUNED OUT Rock music is a complicated matter in Denver." The Denver Post, Rockies ed., sec. Lively Arts, 28 Jan. 1996, pp. F-01. NewsBank: Access World News, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.denverlibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F2929A6DB0FBA6E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/0EAF4483B2FC5AD3. Accessed 23 Feb. 2023.</ref>
Following the [[September 11 attacks]] in 2001, KOSI pulled several current hit songs from the air. These included [[Annie Lennox]]'s "[[Walking on Broken Glass]]" and [[Bruce Springsteen]]'s "[[I'm on Fire]]".<ref>and Percy Ednalino Denver Post Staff Writers ATTACK ON AMERICA, Andy Vuong. "Stations pull songs over lyrics Mental connection to terrorism feared." The Denver Post, WED1 ed., sec. A, 19 Sept. 2001, pp. A-01. NewsBank: Access World News, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.denverlibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F2929A6DB0FBA6E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/0EEA52131E81C34B. Accessed 23 Feb. 2023.</ref>
===Adult Contemporary===
By 2002, KOSI began adding more upbeat titles and soft-pop hits to the [[playlist]], making the transition to a mainstream [[adult contemporary]] format aimed at young adults.<ref>Denver Post Movie Critic, Steven Rosen. "Where art thou? Album of the year 'O Brother' lost on Denver radio stations." The Denver Post, MON ed., sec. SCN, 4 Mar. 2002, pp. F-03. NewsBank: Access World News, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.denverlibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F2929A6DB0FBA6E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/0F21A7CC60D33E73. Accessed 23 Feb. 2023.</ref> In December 2002, KOSI and KEZW were sold to [[Entercom]].
KOSI continued airing [[soft rock]] and adult contemporary music in the early 2000s.<ref>Denver Post Entertainment Writer, Michael Booth. "How KYGO manages to consistently rule the dialKing Kong of radio." The Denver Post, SUN SCENE ed., sec. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, 28 Mar. 2004, pp. F-01. NewsBank: Access World News, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.denverlibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F2929A6DB0FBA6E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/101A35266405B337. Accessed 23 Feb. 2023.</ref> KOSI jumped to number 1 in the ratings for Denver in 2006.<ref>Post Staff Writer, Colleen O'ConnorDenver. "Radio's sassy ladyA YEAR AGO, GLORIA NEAL WAS OUT OF A JOB. NOW SHE'S STEERINGKSYY-FM IN THE MORNING DRIVE-TIME.." Denver Post, The (CO), SUN LIFESTYLES ed., sec. STL, 4 Mar. 2007, pp. L-01. NewsBank: Access World News, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.denverlibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F2929A6DB0FBA6E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/117B24E5068714E0. Accessed 23 Feb. 2023.</ref>
From 2007 to 2011, KOSI aired the [[radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] call-in and request show, "[[Delilah Rene|Delilah]]" on weekday evenings. Delilah has since been replaced with local programming.<ref>"FEATURES." Denver Post, The (CO), sec. FEATURES, 6 Nov. 2011, p. 16E. NewsBank: Access World News, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.denverlibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0F2929A6DB0FBA6E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/13AD9E6F27028AB0. Accessed 23 Feb. 2023.</ref>
On July 14, 2015, as part of a merger with [[Lincoln Financial Media]], and to be in compliance with ownership caps and total market revenue limits, the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]] required [[Entercom]] to spin off four Denver stations, KOSI, [[KYGO-FM]], [[KKFN]] and [[KEPN]], to [[Bonneville International]] in exchange for Bonneville's KSWD in [[Los Angeles]] (now [[KKLQ (FM)|KKLQ]]).  This resulted in KOSI 101.1 and KEZW 1430 being separately owned for the first time.  Both Bonneville and Entercom began operating their new clusters via [[Local marketing agreement|Time Brokerage Agreement]]s on July 17, 2015, until the transaction was consummated on November 24, 2015.<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/93470/fcc-approves-entercom-acquisition-of-lincoln-financial-media/  FCC Approves Entercom's Acquisition of Lincoln Financial Media]</ref>
===Christmas music===
KOSI switches its format to all-[[Christmas music]] during the holiday season. The change generally takes place in early to mid-November and continues until midnight on December 25.  At that point, the format goes back to [[adult contemporary]] with an occasional holiday song, although not specifically referring to Christmas.  ("[[Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!]], [[Jingle Bells]] and [[Winter Wonderland]] are among the titles heard.)
In 2008, the Christmas music continued until December 27.  In 2020, as a service to health care providers during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the Christmas music continued until New Year's Eve at 7&nbsp;pm.  KOSI also sometimes flips to Christmas music for a couple of days in July for its "Christmas in July" special.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*{{Official website|https://www.kosi101.com}}
{{FM station data|67844|KOSI}}
{{Denver Radio}}
{{Adult Contemporary Radio Stations in Colorado}}
{{Bonneville International}}
[[Category:Radio stations in Denver|OSI]]
[[Category:Mainstream adult contemporary radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Westinghouse Broadcasting]]
[[Category:Bonneville International]]