The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame is the place for public acknowledgment of the accomplishments and achievements of those honored.
There are new inductees to the 2024 Colorado Sports Hall of Fame class, but the history of the Hall of Fame museum bears a deeper look.
History and Evolution of CSHoF
The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1964 and is in the heart of Denver. Similar to Mile High at Empower Field and the Air Force Academy, the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame has become a staple of Denver culture.
It is also a great place to honor those who merit recognition for their achievements in athletic endeavors. You can check all the inductees across the years here.
2024 Inductees
The 2024 inductees were announced during a ceremony in April 17 2024. Here are some names inducted:
Tony Boselli (Football)
Born in Boulder, Colorado, Boselli never represented the state’s NFL team, the Denver Broncos. The former tackle spent 7 seasons in the Jacksonville Jaguars and one last season in the Houston Texans.
Even though he was raised in Colorado and spent his high school in Fairview, Boselli represented the University of Southern California during his college years. He won the First-team All-Pro award 3 times and was part of the NFL team of the decade.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame wishes @Jaguars Legend @TonyBoselli a Happy Birthday! The Class of 2022 member turns 52 today. #HBD pic.twitter.com/MsJTySfBFn
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) April 17, 2024
Barney Chavous (Football)
Opposite to Boselli, Chavous was not born in Colorado, but because he spent all his career with the Denver Broncos he is loved in the state.
A recruit of the South Carolina State University Chavous was one of the best defensive ends in the history of the Broncos.
He was part of the team between 1973 and 1985. With 75 sacks, he ranks third on the Broncos’ all-time sacks list.
Barney Chavous to be inducted into Colorado Sports Hall of Fame | https://t.co/hx2N6FCV6F https://t.co/PLLxOL33Kf
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) April 15, 2024
Woody Paige (Sports Columnist)
Not only from athletes is made the history of Colorado sports. The local press has an important action to share and cover the state events and Woody Paige has been for over 50 years one of the most important voices and faces of sports journalism in Colorado.
A long time columnist for The Gazette, local Colorado newspaper, he is also a panelist on the ESPN talkshow “Around The Horn”.
He is recognized by great athletes of the state as an important figure, as John Elway stated after his induction: “Woody had a great career and I always enjoyed talking with Woody. Although I didn’t always agree with Woody’s opinions, he was mostly fair at all times.”
What notable Colorado sports figures are saying about longtime sportswriter Woody Paige of The Denver Gazette, who will be inducted Wednesday into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame: @woodypaige https://t.co/qIgqh89gC2
— The Denver Gazette (@DenverGazette) April 17, 2024
2023 Inductees
Let’s take a quick look at the 2023 Colorado Sports Hall of Fame inductees:
Evie Dennis (Track)
Vice President of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Chair of the U.S. Women’s Track and Field Team. Received The Olympic Order from the International Olympic Committee in 1993. Inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2003.
#StandCelebrates BHM Day 17: Evie Dennis (1924-) is an educator & advocate for equity. She oversaw the desegregation of Denver schools as their 1st female African American superintendent. Dennis also served as the VP of the US Olympic Executive Committee. https://t.co/pfgvr1XtXc pic.twitter.com/mHVE5zJ6LN
— Stand for Children Colorado (@ColoradoStand) February 17, 2019
Jimmi Heuga (Skiing)
Famous for alpine skiing, Heuga won bronze at the 1964 Olympics. Two-time World Cup tour champion. NCAA Slalom Championship winner. Notable for raising funds for MS research and creating the Jimmie Heuga Express.
1969 Press Photo Jimmy Heuga demonstrates skiing techniques on a slope.
Demaryius Thomas (Football)
Super Bowl 50 winner. Spent nine years with the Broncos, ranking second in receiving yards (9,055). Arguably the greatest receiver in Broncos history. Passed away at 33 years old in December 2021.
Demaryius Thomas 2018
Vincent Jackson (Football)
Northern Colorado legend, playing basketball and football. Played 12 years in the NFL as a receiver. Has the record for most receiving yards (216) and longest play (95 yards) in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history.
Vincent Jackson in 2012 while playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
George Karl (Basketball)
NBA Coach of the Year in 2013. Career record of 423-257 with the Denver Nuggets, just nine wins shy of the franchise record. One of nine coaches to win more than 1,000 games. Made the playoffs 22 times with five different teams.
Washington Wizards v/s Denver Nuggets January 25, 2011
The Selection Process
Nominees for the Colorado Sports Hall Of Fame are submitted by the public. The committee selects anywhere from four to six new members each year. Distinction and recognition in sports, as well as the achievements that bring fame and glory to the state, are all considered.
Museum Features and Exhibits
The Colorado Sports HoF Museum has a litany of great exhibits and features worth checking out. The list includes:
- Salute to the Inductees
- Great Moments in Colorado Sports
- Sportswomen of Colorado
- The Denver Broncos Franchise
- Colorado Golf Association
- Special Olympics Colorado
Educational and Community Impact
The Colorado Sports HoF offers educational programs in addition to recognition of accomplishments in athletic endeavors. The goal is to teach history of sports in Denver and Colorado as a whole, while also teaching the importance of leadership in sports.
Events and Activities
There is so much to do when it comes to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. There are golf outings, tours with a “behind-the-scenes” look at Empower Field at Mile High, and so much more. It is a great way to learn all about Denver sports.
Visitor Information
The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame is open Thursday-Saturday (Monday-Saturday in the summer) and is free of charge. Tours also include trips to Empower Field at Mile High for the complete Denver experience.
A photo of former Colorado State football coach Harry Hughes is included in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, June 21, 2003. Hughes was inducted into the hall of fame with the class of 1972. (AP Photo/Fort Collins Coloradoan, Rich Abrahamson)
Colorado’s Sporting Legacy
The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame holds an important place in the Denver community. Teaching leadership and honoring inductees are just a fraction of the value offered.
The HoF has legends like Tony Boselli, Rudy Carey, Scott Stocker, Jennifer Kupcho, Barney Chavous and Peyton Manning, who was inducted in 2018. Here you can gain an appreciation for the history of Denver sports through the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.
