The current 102.7 license began life at 104.9 MHz in July 1953 as KCMS, "Colorado's Classical Music Station". It was owned by Bud Edmonds, doing business as the Garden of the Gods Broadcasting Company; Edmonds built the facility, the first stereo FM radio station west of the Mississippi River. Edmonds operated KCMS out of a studio he built in his garage at 68 Minnehaha Avenue. At times, Edmonds and his wife would take turns operating the Seeburg record changer, announcing the music that was being played and changing the albums. In 1956, KCMS moved to 102.7 MHz and gained an AM simulcast partner, KCMS 1490 (now KXRE); the FM tower was moved to the top of Cheyenne Mountain.