Local Radio Personality Bret Saunders Leaves KBCO After 28 Years on Air
Denver, CO - June 28, 2026 - In a shocking move, local radio personality Bret Saunders has been laid off by I(HaveNo) Heart Media after nearly three decades hosting morning shows at 97.3 KBCO.
According to sources, Saunders was informed of the decision just days after being named No. 117 on The Denver Gazette's "Colorado 150" list, which recognizes cultural pathmakers who have shaped how the world sees Colorado over the past 150 years.
Saunders, known for his witty and wry commentary as well as his alter ego "The Sage of World Class Rock," has been a staple in Denver radio since arriving at KBCO in 1988. He is also credited with raising millions of dollars for various causes through his on-air campaigns, including the annual KBCO Studio C compilation album series.
Saunders' departure from KBCO marks an end to an era for the beloved morning host, who has been a fixture in Denver's radio landscape for nearly three decades. His future plans are unclear at this time.
**Background**
Bret Saunders was born in Montana and raised in Detroit before moving to Colorado in 1988. He began his career at a small station in Craig, where he first heard KBCO on the air. Over the years, Saunders has developed a huge following for his unique blend of humor and insight, making him one of Denver's most recognizable radio personalities.
As part of The Gazette's "Colorado 150" series, Saunders joins other notable Colorado cultural pathmakers, including Ed Dwight, who was recognized for his contributions as NASA's first Black astronaut candidate.