Saying Goodbye to 123 Speer: Denver7 Moves to Five Points
Denver7 is in the final days of operating out of its long-time location at 123 Speer Boulevard. The station is set to transition to a new, state-of-the-art facility at 2323 Delgany. While there’s excitement about the modern upgrades at the new building, it’s also a time to reflect on Denver7’s rich history at the Speer location.
Bill Saul, a member of the Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado and a former KLZ radio employee from the 1960s, shared his memories. KLZ was Denver’s first radio station, which began broadcasting in the 1920s. Saul recalled the significance of joining Denver radio at the young age of 21.
In 1953, KLZ expanded to include television, which eventually became KMGH. Saul reminisced about moving into the current Denver7 building in 1969, a significant upgrade from the original location, which is now the station’s parking lot. “It gave us a much bigger studio; it was a much nicer studio,” Saul said, comparing it to the cramped space they previously occupied.
Denver7 offered Saul one last tour of the Speer Boulevard building before the move to Delgany. “A piece of history. Definitely, absolutely,” Saul remarked, reflecting on the control room.
The essence of what made the Speer location special over the years has been the people — those who shared their stories with Denver7 and the dedicated team ensuring those stories reached the public. The station is committed to continuing this tradition from its new Five Points location.
In May 2021, Denver City Council rejected an application to designate 123 Speer as a historic landmark. This application was not submitted on behalf of Denver7 and was contrary to the station’s wishes, as stated by former General Manager Dean Littleton at the time.