KFQX
KFQX is a Fox-affiliated television station serving Grand Junction and Colorado's Western Slope.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KFQX is a television station broadcasting on channel 4 in Grand Junction, Colorado, and serving the state's Western Slope. The station is affiliated with the Fox network and is owned by Mission Broadcasting. Nexstar Media Group operates KFQX under a shared services arrangement, and the station is managed alongside KREX-TV, the area's CBS affiliate, and KGJT-CD, an independent station that also carries MyNetworkTV programming. The stations share facilities on Hillcrest Avenue in downtown Grand Junction, while KFQX's main transmitter is located at the Black Ridge Electronics Site near Colorado National Monument, west of the city. KFQX's service developed from earlier efforts to bring Fox programming to the Grand Junction market. KREX began providing Fox programming on September 1, 1994, through low-power station K27CO, replacing the Foxnet cable service that had previously been available locally. A full-power channel 4 authorization had been granted to John Harvey Rees in 1992, and the station that became KFQX eventually signed on in June 2000, replacing K27CO as the market's Fox outlet. The station has been co-managed with KREX for its entire operating history, although ownership of the two facilities has at times been structured through separate companies. Parker Broadcasting acquired KFQX in 2004 after Hoak Media purchased KREX. In 2006, KFQX began carrying simulcasts of selected morning and late-evening newscasts from KDVR, Nexstar's Fox station in Denver. These broadcasts included weather inserts tailored to Grand Junction and helped provide a Fox-branded news service in a market where access to Denver news programming had previously been inconsistent. KFQX also carries local news produced through its relationship with KREX, including a 6:30 p.m. newscast and a 9 p.m. newscast, as well as morning and late-evening programming originating from KDVR. A major operational disruption occurred in January 2008, when a fire destroyed the KREX studio facility. KFQX remained on the air, returning to service with national Fox programming within approximately two weeks. A replacement studio complex opened in August 2009, restoring a more permanent base for the stations' shared operations. Ownership changed again during the 2013–2017 transaction involving Hoak Media, Parker Broadcasting, Gray Television, Nexstar and Mission Broadcasting. Gray initially announced plans to acquire Hoak and Parker, with KFQX expected to move to Excalibur Broadcasting as a related sidecar company. After the Grand Junction stations were placed on the market, Nexstar agreed to acquire KREX and its satellites, while Mission Broadcasting agreed to acquire KFQX for $37.5 million. The KREX transaction closed in 2014, and Nexstar began providing services to KFQX while regulatory approval was pending. The Federal Communications Commission approved the KFQX sale in February 2017, and the Mission acquisition was completed on March 31, 2017. KFQX also operates with satellite station KREY-TV in Montrose, Colorado. KREY serves the Montrose area and surrounding mountain communities, using translators to extend coverage across difficult terrain in the Uncompahgre Valley, San Miguel region and nearby communities. Together, KFQX and its associated facilities provide Fox programming, local and regional news access, weather information and syndicated or network entertainment to western Colorado viewers.
History
KFQX's history is closely connected to KREX-TV and to the gradual expansion of Fox service in western Colorado. Before KFQX became the market's full-power Fox affiliate, KREX arranged for Fox programming to reach Grand Junction through low-power station K27CO. That service began on September 1, 1994, replacing Foxnet on local cable systems. The channel 4 authorization had originally been granted to John Harvey Rees in November 1992, and the planned full-service station was associated with the KJWA call sign before KFQX ultimately launched. KFQX signed on in June 2000 and replaced K27CO as the area's Fox outlet. From its beginning, the station was operated in conjunction with KREX-TV, creating a shared local television operation. Parker Broadcasting acquired KFQX in 2004, following Hoak Media's acquisition of KREX in 2003. This ownership arrangement placed the two stations under related but separate ownership structures, a pattern that continued through later broadcast-industry transactions. In 2006, KFQX added simulcasts of selected KDVR newscasts from Denver, including morning and late-evening programs. The broadcasts included weather material tailored to Grand Junction. KFQX also carried local news produced from the KREX operation, including evening newscasts at 6:30 and 9 p.m. The arrangement allowed the station to combine national Fox programming with local coverage and news resources from related stations. The shared operation suffered a serious interruption in January 2008 when a fire destroyed the KREX studios. KFQX remained in operation but was temporarily limited largely to national Fox programming. It returned to the air within approximately two weeks, and a new studio facility opened in August 2009. The replacement complex became the base for KFQX, KREX and the other associated Grand Junction stations. The station's ownership changed as part of a complicated series of broadcast acquisitions. In November 2013, Gray Television announced a $335 million agreement to purchase Hoak Media and Parker Broadcasting. Gray initially planned to place KFQX with Excalibur Broadcasting, a related sidecar company. Because Gray and Excalibur already had stations in the Grand Junction market, the parties later chose to market the local properties. In December 2013, Nexstar agreed to purchase KREX and its satellites, while Mission Broadcasting agreed to purchase KFQX for $37.5 million. The KREX transaction closed in June 2014, and Nexstar began providing services to KFQX while the separate sale awaited regulatory approval. The FCC approved the KFQX transaction on February 27, 2017, and the sale closed on March 31 of that year. KFQX's wider service footprint includes KREY-TV, a satellite station serving Montrose. KREY transmits from Flattop Mesa and uses multiple translators to reach communities affected by the region's mountainous terrain. The station formerly produced brief local news inserts during KREX newscasts, although that practice later ended. KFQX continues to function as a regional Fox affiliate operated through the Mission-Nexstar relationship, with shared facilities and programming resources centered in Grand Junction.
- 2017
Mission Broadcasting ownership completed
[1]The FCC approved the sale in February and the Mission Broadcasting acquisition closed on March 31.
- 2014
Nexstar begins providing services during ownership transition
[1]After the KREX transaction closed, Nexstar began providing operational services to KFQX while regulatory approval of Mission's acquisition was pending.
- 2009
Replacement studio opens
[1]A new shared studio facility opened in August after the previous building was destroyed by fire.
- 2008
KREX studio fire
[1]A fire destroyed the shared KREX studio facility, temporarily disrupting local operations.
- 2006
KDVR news simulcasts added
[1]KFQX began carrying selected morning and late-evening KDVR newscasts, supplemented with Grand Junction weather inserts.
- 2004
Parker Broadcasting acquires KFQX
[1]Parker Broadcasting acquired KFQX after Hoak Media purchased KREX-TV.
- 2000
KFQX signs on
[1]KFQX launched in June as the full-power successor to K27CO and the local Fox affiliate.
- 1994
Fox programming begins on low-power predecessor
[1]K27CO began carrying Fox programming for Grand Junction, replacing Foxnet on cable.
- 1992
Channel 4 construction permit granted
[1]John Harvey Rees was granted a construction permit for a channel 4 television station in Grand Junction.
Products and positioning
A regional Fox broadcast outlet focused on free over-the-air network programming, local news and weather for western Colorado, supported by shared operations with KREX-TV and Nexstar.
Broadcast television · 2000
KFQX Fox affiliate service
KFQX provides Fox network programming to Grand Junction and the surrounding Western Slope region. Its schedule combines Fox entertainment, sports and news programming with syndicated and locally produced content. The station's transmission facilities are located west of Grand Junction near Colorado National Monument.
Television news · 2006
Local news service
KFQX carries Grand Junction news programming produced through the shared KREX operation, including evening broadcasts. It also carries selected morning and late-evening news programming from KDVR in Denver, with weather information adapted for the Grand Junction market.
Broadcast television
KREY-TV satellite service
KREY-TV extends the associated Fox service into Montrose and nearby western Colorado communities. Its signal is supplemented by translators because mountainous terrain and local geography limit direct coverage. KREY transmits from Flattop Mesa and serves the Uncompahgre Valley and neighboring mountain communities.
Brand decisions
2013
Separate ownership transaction for KFQXM&ABackground
Gray Television's planned purchase of Hoak Media and Parker Broadcasting required a revised structure for the Grand Junction stations because Gray-related companies already operated other stations in the market.
Action taken
Mission Broadcasting agreed to acquire KFQX for $37.5 million while Nexstar agreed to acquire KREX and its satellites.
Aftermath
Mission became KFQX's owner after FCC approval, while Nexstar assumed operational responsibility under a shared services arrangement.
Acquisition price. $37.5 million (2013 announced transaction)
2006
Add Denver news simulcasts with local weather insertsStrategyBackground
Grand Junction viewers had historically had inconsistent access to Denver-originated news programming, and KFQX operated as the local Fox affiliate.
Action taken
KFQX began simulcasting selected morning and late-evening KDVR newscasts while adding weather inserts focused on Grand Junction.
Aftermath
The arrangement expanded the station's news offering using resources from the Denver Fox affiliate and complemented locally produced KREX newscasts.
Recent events
- 2017
FCC approves Mission Broadcasting's acquisition of KFQX[1]
M&A · Regulation
The Federal Communications Commission approved the sale of KFQX to Mission Broadcasting on February 27, 2017. The transaction was completed on March 31, leaving Nexstar as the station's operating partner under a shared services arrangement.
- 2013
Gray announces acquisition of Hoak Media and Parker Broadcasting[1]
M&A
Gray Television announced a planned $335 million acquisition involving Hoak Media and Parker Broadcasting, owners associated with KREX and KFQX. The proposed structure for KFQX subsequently changed as the Grand Junction stations were marketed separately.
- 2013
Nexstar and Mission agree to acquire the Grand Junction stations[1]
M&A
Nexstar announced an agreement to acquire KREX and its satellite stations, while Mission Broadcasting agreed to acquire KFQX for $37.5 million. The transaction was part of the restructuring of the Hoak and Parker station portfolio.
- 2008
KREX studio fire disrupts shared Grand Junction television operations[1]
Other
A fire destroyed the KREX studio facility in January 2008. KFQX continued broadcasting and returned to service with national Fox programming within about two weeks while replacement facilities were developed.
Sources1 sources
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