[2] The callsign and format originated in late 1990 on 102.3 in Espanola after the station was purchased by KLSK founder Bill Sims and programmer Jack Kolkmeyer.

[2] In Fall 2002 it was sold to Hispanic Broadcasting (which later became Univision Radio in 2003) and renamed "Coyote" matching the callsign the original owners had given it but continued the classic rock format focused mostly on the 1960s and 1970s.

The station hosts some local live events including the annual "Rockalypse" featuring classic rock cover bands which began in 2013.

On June 14, 2017, American General Media announced that it would acquire KIOT and sister stations KKSS and KKRG-FM from Univision, making them part of a cluster with KABG, KLVO and KARS/K275AO.

The radio station was briefly referenced in the season four premiere episode of Breaking Bad[9] During one scene in a vehicle, a traffic report is given and the announcer says "on The Coyote".