105.1 FM signed on in Fall 1985 as KIVA with a hot adult contemporary format in an effort to challenge KOB-FM.

[9] At this time, the Top 40 format would be replaced by SMN's Z-Rock network, which played Hard rock and Heavy metal music.

Although a "narrow casting" effort, the station intended to capitalized on the local popularity of rock and metal.

[11] In 1992, the call letters of both stations were switched, with 105.1 becoming KZRQ and the KIVA callsign moving to 1310, which had launched an Adult Standards format that April.

It was around this time that Z-Rock would also begin to pick up more FM affiliates around the country under programming director Lee Abrams.

In November 1995, Territorial Communications would enter into a merger with Simmons Media Group to acquire the two AM and two FM stations.

KZRQ was placed into a sales management agreement while awaiting a relaxation of ownership limits in 1996, as Simmons had just purchased KIOT.

[14] In January 1996, Simmons discontinued the Z-Rock affiliation, and flipped KZRQ to a Hot Adult Contemporary format branded as "Star 105", attempting to challenge the more established KKOB-FM.

[15] In May 1997, KZRQ would pick up the smooth jazz format moved over from 101.3 FM, as well as the KRZN callsign, and the "Horizon" branding.

On November 7, 2000, the same day as the 2000 United States presidential election, KCHQ would change to an all-80's hits format while keeping the "Channel" brand.

The Piolin morning program was added at the beginning of 2007 as part of the effort to make the station more competitive with KLVO ("Lobo").

On June 14, 2017, American General Media announced that it would acquire KKRG-FM (along with sister stations KKSS and KIOT), joining a cluster that includes KABG, KLVO and KARS/K275AO.