There is a lot to love about Colorado. It has some of the most scenic views in the United States, for starters. There are also plenty of opportunities to become invested in sports thanks to a robust sports culture that covers the state.
As it turns out, there are a plethora of sports that garner love in Colorado. But which of them stands above the rest? As it turns out, there are five sports that have a stronger grip on the sporting faithful in Colorado. Here are the five most popular sports that you can enjoy personally or watch professionally in Colorado.
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1.) Football
In many places across the United States, football is king. In Colorado, which is just as true as it is anywhere else. The state has a long and storied history of football, beginning in the high school ranks and extending up through the professional ranks.
There are a few states where high school football is a really big deal. Texas, Ohio, and California, just to name a few. If you are from outside the state, Colorado is actually one of the biggest high school football states you will find. Overseen by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA), there are different classes based on school size. Each season culminates in the state championship games being held at Empower Field at Mile High, the home to the NFL’s Denver Broncos.
Though college football’s prestige in Colorado has lost some luster, there are still a few major players. The biggest among them is the University of Colorado, which recently hired NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders as coach. The aforementioned Broncos are the cream of the crop, having won three Super Bowls since 1998, featuring Hall of Fame quarterbacks John Elway and Peyton Manning.
Another day at the office 💼🏈#GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/FZg6LyB2hq
— Colorado Buffaloes (@CUBuffs) August 24, 2023
2.) Hockey
With snow on the ground and a chill in the air, hockey has become one of the most popular sports in Colorado. With offerings at the youth, collegiate, and professional levels, it is easy to see why. Youth hockey has a strong tradition, for example, thanks to the Colorado Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA).
College hockey has exploded in popularity in recent years. Part of this has to do with a recent national championship by Denver University, but that isn’t the extent of college hockey in Colorado. Colorado College, Northern Colorado, and the Air Force Academy are among the other D-1 programs.
Without a doubt, the king of hockey in Denver is the Colorado Avalanche. The team captured its third Stanley Cup championship in 2022, bringing a pedigree of success to the table ever since the franchise arrived in 1995.
The Colorado Avalanche.
We’re in the game. #GoAvsGo #NHL24 pic.twitter.com/Y5fxH7RB0H
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 19, 2023
3.) Basketball
Basketball is on the rise in Colorado. College basketball, like football, features some less-than-prominent programs like Colorado, Colorado State, Denver and Air Force. Local teams are quite popular as well, leading to some notable Colorado-based players like Chauncey Billups, who starred at Colorado before moving on to the NBA.
It is the NBA that has been king of the hardcourt in Colorado, however. The Denver Nuggets remain the focal point of the professional basketball scene in the Mile High state, and that has only become truer in recent years thanks to the success of the Nuggets.
In 2023, the Nuggets captured the first NBA Championship in franchise history, riding the success of two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Heading into the 2023-24 season, the Nuggets are favored to win the NBA championship again, only further fanning the flames for Mile High fans.
Champions 🏆#WallpaperWednesday pic.twitter.com/OubDnI3vQu
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) August 23, 2023
4.) Soccer
Soccer, the global game in many senses, has slowly gained in popularity throughout Colorado. Part of this has to do with the success of the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer (MLS). They won a championship back in 2010, since attracting quite the following throughout the state.
The Rapids have been around since 1995 and are the only professional soccer team in the state. Just a few miles east of downtown Denver, the Rapids call their home at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. With more than 18,000 loyal fans attending each game, there are several support groups throughout the city.
Youth soccer runs deep as well. The state has several youth soccer leagues, the two largest being the Colorado Soccer Association and the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club. Players are able to develop and work on skills through several major soccer events and tournaments.
Chegou a hora 🇵🇹 🇧🇷#Rapids96 | #LAFCvCOL pic.twitter.com/1VgPQkyU2R
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) August 24, 2023
5.) Skiing and Snowboarding
In a state that is most recognizable for fresh white snow and steep mountainsides, it only stands to reason that residents and visitors would enjoy snowboarding and skiing on a regular basis. And Colorado has some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the country.
There are a plethora of ski resorts around the state, from the smallest (Keystone) to the largest (Aspen Snowmass, with a more than 4,400-foot vertical drop. These resorts feature training for beginners and go up to black diamond trails for those who take their snowboarding and skiing very seriously.
Those who seek out a bit more adventure while skiing will definitely enjoy backcountry skiing. Those opportunities include ungroomed terrain, which is unmarked and in the heart of the wilderness. Just keep in mind that backcountry skiing requires a higher level of experience and skill than your average slopes, so make sure that you’re prepared before you head out looking for adventure.
Hanna and Filip earn Academic All-America honors. Both were also first-team All-Americans on the slopes this year! #SkiBuffshttps://t.co/cxc7Gkxj77 pic.twitter.com/aAj0iFIAoi
— Colorado Buffaloes Skiing (@cubuffsskiing) June 22, 2023
Conclusion
No matter the time of year, there are major and niche sports to enjoy in Colorado. Whether it be on the field, on the court, on the ice, or on the slopes, amateurs and professionals alike have a platform to enjoy their favorite sports.
The popularity of these sports only continues to grow in Colorado. There are opportunities to play competitively beginning as an amateur, carrying on through the high school and collegiate ranks, and moving into the professional setting.
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There are more professionals coming out of the Mile High state than ever before, thanks largely to the tremendous sports atmosphere that can only be found in this beautiful, scenic state. Bet on sports with ClutchBuzz sportsbook in Colorado today.
