The ever-changing Colorado Springs radio market has evolved yet again. This time with a voice many local listeners will be familiar with.

Dan Cochell, who worked as morning news anchor at KRDO News Radio (105.5 FM) for six years, decided to get back to his broadcast roots after a brief stint in the auto sales industry. In July, Cochell approached Pilgrim Communication, the owners of KREL (1580 AM), about using the station to broadcast a mixture of local news and syndicated news and talk. The station previously simulcast a business format from its Denver affiliate. Local operation for KREL now takes place in a studio downtown and is being run by Cochell’s DC Enterprises.

Cochell also met with executives at KXRM Fox 21 and reached an agreement with the station to form a radio/TV partnership. KREL airs Fox 21 news from 6-9 a.m. and has access to the station’s field reporters and meteorologists to use for on-air broadcasts.

“By forming a partnership with Fox 21 and creating our studios on Tejon Street, we’re able to add to another chapter in the long history of Colorado Springs radio,” said Cochell. “And now on to the next chapter yet to be written.”

Rebranded “KREL Real Radio 1580,” the station airs Fox 21 News in the morning, in which Cochell will be a contributing personality, but also broadcasts syndicated and local news/talk on-air talent to cover the latest in business news and high school sports. Michael Savage, Fox News Radio, Alan Colmes (formerly of “Hannity & Colmes”), Laura Ingraham and Kevin Schaffer and the Colorado Prep Network have all been secured.

“We think that there’s a lot of potential for growth for both of our companies and we’re just getting started with what we think is out there for both of us,” said KXRM President/CEO Steve Dant. “I think Dan’s one dynamic entrepreneur. The guy runs non-stop and we look forward to working with him. We think he’s going to be a great partner.”

You can listen live to KREL on the radio or at www.krel1580.com. A programming schedule is listed below.

Monday – Friday

6-9 a.m.: “FOX21 Morning News”  9 a.m.-noon: “The Laura Ingraham Show” 12-1 p.m.: “The Tonya Hall Show”1-2 p.m.: “Today’s Bright Ideas,” Tapia Advertising (Starting Sept 1st)     2-3 p.m.: Tom O’Brien3-6 p.m.: Real Radio live afternoon news, “The Real Drive Home Show”6-9 p.m.: Michael Savage 9-midnight: Alan Colmes  Midnight-2 a.m.: John Gibson   2-4 a.m.: Jerry Doyle  4-5:30 a.m.: Bill Martinez  5:45-6 a.m.: Concepts Of Faith

Saturday

Midnight-5 a.m.: “Best Of Michael Savage”5-6 a.m.: “Today’s Bright Ideas,” Tapia Advertising6-9 a.m.: “Kilmeade & Friends Weekend Show”9-10 a.m.: “Phil’s Gang”10-11 a.m.: “Healthline with Dr. Bob”11 a.m.–noon.: Ron CaskeyNoon-1 p.m.: “Wheeling and Dealing”1-4 p.m.: John Gibson4-5 p.m.: “Weekend Magazine with Bill Martinez”5-6 p.m.: “Today’s Bright Ideas,” Tapia Advertising6-9 p.m.: “Alan Colmes Weekend”9-midnight: “Best Of Michael Savage”

Sunday

Midnight–5 a.m.: “Best Of Michael Savage”5-6 a.m.: “Concepts of Faith”6-7 a.m.: “Celebrate Colorado”7-8 a.m.: “Weekend Magazine”8-9 a.m.: Bloomberg 9 a.m.–noon: “Kilmeade & Friends Weekend Show”Noon-2 p.m.: “Fox News Sundays”2-5 p.m.: “Gibson on Fox”  5-6 p.m: Bloomberg6-9 p.m.: “Alan Colmes Weekend”9-midnight: Bloomberg