Its studios are located in Denver near Empower Field at Mile High, and the transmitter is on Squaw Mountain in Idaho Springs, Colorado.

It was owned by Evergreen Communications and began with an adult album alternative format, calling itself "96.5 The Peak",[4] and aimed to compete with heritage station KBCO, which often leads the Denver market's ratings for 25-54-year-old men.

[5] But while KBCO's ratings remained strong, KXPK failed to catch on with adult rock listeners.

On October 12, 1998, KXPK changed to a younger-skewing alternative rock format, and added the syndicated "Howard Stern Show" in morning drive time, while still retaining the "Peak" moniker.

[8][9] Original MTV VJ Nina Blackwood was the afternoon DJ during this period.