Colorado Is a Great State for Sports Fan
The state of Colorado is a beautiful place that is loved by its residents. With rolling plains and the Rocky Mountains, Colorado boasts stunning views and great outdoor activities. You can ski in the winter and hike and swim in the summer. Medium-sized cities such as Denver, Colorado Springs, and Boulder are nice places to live and work. Colorado has some excellent universities including the United States Air Force Academy. For sports fans, the Denver area is a dream as it has major league franchises in all four major American sports.
Colorado Avalanche
Thanks to the efforts of executives such as Colorado Thrives founder, Kent Thiry, the state is doing well economically and citizens are able to afford sporting events. Denver got its first NHL team in 1976 when the Kansas City Scouts moved to town and became the aptly-named Colorado Rockies. They lasted there until 1982 when they moved to New Jersey and became the Devils.
Colorado hockey fans were delighted in 1995 when the Quebec Nordiques relocated to Denver and were renamed the Avalanche. The franchise won the Stanley Cup its first year in Colorado and again in 2001. The Avalanche have enjoyed a loyal fan base and big crowds since.
Colorado Rockies
Denver had been a good home to AAA baseball teams for many years. The local fans were rewarded in 1993 when MLB’s National League added two expansion teams and placed one in Denver. The Colorado Rockies have played in beautiful Coors Field since 1995 and gave their fans a thrill with a trip to the World Series in 2007. Although they were swept by the Boston Red Sox, the Rockies faithful still come out to root their team on.
Denver Broncos
The NFL’s Denver Broncos were a charter member of the American Football League which began play in 1960. The team joined the NFL when it merged with the AFL in 1970 and has played in the AFC West division since. The Broncos experienced their glory years in the 80s and 90s with Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway. They made several Super Bowl appearances and won back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999. Coloradans love their Broncos.
Denver Nuggets
Like the Broncos, the Denver Nuggets started out in a now-defunct league, the old American Basketball Association. They were a charter franchise originally called the Larks but changed the name before beginning play in the first season. In 1976, the NBA merged with the ABA and the Nuggets were one of four ABA teams to be absorbed by the more established league. The Nuggets have not won a title nor appeared in the NBA Finals. Nevertheless, they have boasted some all-star players over the years and provided many thrilling moments for the faithful Colorado hoop fans.
Colorado is a state with stunning views, fresh air, and a wide range of seasonal weather to accommodate all kinds of activities. For people who love to root for local sports franchises, Denver is a great place to be. With a team solidly in place in each of the four major sports, Coloradans have someone to root for year-round.