Since 2013, Colorado has been home to some of the best teams in professional sports. They’ve won four championships so far with plenty more looming on the horizon. Colorado sports fans are spoiled by having some of the best current athletes in the game today. Find out more about the longest-standing unbroken records in sports history.
The outdoor stadiums in Colorado are known for having some of the most spectacular views with the Rocky Mountains gracing the background. It’s easy to be a fan of Colorado teams, thanks to how successful they are and how fun the games are to watch. These games keep fans captivated from live stadiums and from their living rooms.
These are the top-performing teams in Colorado to keep an eye on. To determine this list of the most popular teams in Colorado, 24/7 Tempo consulted several different sports-centered sites for insight and stats. These include ESPN, NBA.com, and NFL.com.
Denver Broncos
Even after a nearly decade-long struggle, Denver will always be known as a football town. During the Peyton Manning years, the streets would be empty during games because everyone was busy tuning in. The Denver Broncos are one of the cornerstone NFL franchises, having been to eight of the 57 Super Bowls so far. They’ve only won three of those, with the most recent coming in 2015.
The Denver Broncos also have the honor of allowing two of the most legendary quarterbacks in NFL history to ride off into the sunset with a championship. We’re referring to John Elway and Peyton Manning. Denver Bronco fans can be found everywhere in the country, thanks to their proud traditions. For now, the team plays at Empower Field at Mile High, but the new ownership group is considering building a stadium closer to the airport.
Denver Nuggets
After waiting 46 seasons, the Denver Nuggets finally won their first NBA Championship in 2023. They were led by the two-time MVP Nikola Jokic as they completed a dominant run. Not only was this Denver’s first NBA Championship, but it was also their first trip to the NBA Finals as a whole. The team plays at Ball Arena near downtown Denver and is built for long-term success.
Some other notable Denver Nuggets include Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Alex English, and Dan Issel. Even though most think of Anthony as the second-greatest Denver Nugget of all time, there’s a great argument for Alex English. He led the NBA in scoring during the 1980s, scoring more points than Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. The Denver Nuggets have been trending up for years and appear to be primed to dominate the NBA for a long time.
Colorado Avalanche
The first team to win a championship in Colorado was the Colorado Avalanche. What makes this feat even more amazing is the fact they did it the first year they were in the city of Denver. The Colorado Avalanche moved from Quebec for the 1995 to 1996 season, and the winning started right away. There’s a story of the team going out for dinner one night when they first got there, and nobody knew their names or recognized them. This was compared to the ground they walked on being worshiped in Canada.
The Avalanche have had success ever since coming to Denver, making them very popular amongst the locals. They most recently won the Stanley Cup in the 2021 to 2022 season thanks to Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. This was their third Stanley Cup win. They are arguably two of the top six players in the NHL today. Like the Denver Nuggets, the Avalanche play at Ball Arena in Denver.
Colorado Rockies
Even though they haven’t exactly been the most successful team in Colorado, residents love going to games at Coors Field to watch the Colorado Rockies. The atmosphere is more like an outdoor bar, rather than a sporting event. It’s fun to sit back and relax with friends while taking in amazing views of the mountains. On the field, the Rockies have been to the MLB playoffs five times since they came to Denver in 1993.
The Rockies have a distinct feature of hitting a home run in their first at-bat in the first game. This baseball team made one World Series back in 2007. This was after one of the most amazing runs in sports, winning 13 of 14 games to make the playoffs, followed by winning seven more in a row. The Rockies hope to get back soon, and the fans will be ready when they do.
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are a talented soccer team.
Soccer has exploded in the United States over the last decade, and one of the first teams to join the MLS was the Colorado Rapids. They were part of the inaugural 1996 season and now have one MLS Cup to their name. The team is owned by the same group that owns the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, the Los Angeles Rams, and the next team on our list.
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is where the Rapids faithful gather to watch their team’s matches during the season. As is the case with other Colorado teams, the fans truly come out and support when the team does well. It’s been a few seasons, but they look ready to get back to their best form.
Colorado Mammoth
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Lacrosse is one of the main sports that kids and teenagers play on the East Coast, but the success of it has traveled west to Denver. The Colorado Mammoth were once the most popular teams in all of Colorado. They averaged more fans than the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche during the mid-2000s. All three teams play at Ball Arena.
It was shocking a lacrosse team could outsell two of the main four sports teams. The Mammoth has won two NLL Championships, with the most recent coming in 2022. The Mammoth has a long tradition of success and plans to keep it going shortly.
Colorado Eagles
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A quality development program has helped the Colorado Avalanche become their team today. This is largely because of the Colorado Eagles, the AHL team that’s located in Loveland, Colorado. The Eagles pride themselves on being a great team while instilling a winning culture in the young players who were just drafted.
Local hockey fans love going to Eagles games since they’re cheaper than Avalanche games. You still get to see some of your favorite players while they become some of the best in the game.
Grand Junction Jackalopes
The Aviators is a great Nevada baseball team.
Few things are more enticing than minor league baseball for sports lovers around the globe. The teams take pride in having creative theme nights for fans to attend. Right next to the Colorado-Utah border is Grand Junction, home of the Jackalopes. This team plays in the Pioneer League, a league that’s independent of Major League Baseball.
For a lot of people in the western part of Colorado, this is the only sports team they have access to. Getting to Denver from the mountains is a tough task, so the Jackalopes are a huge deal.
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC has a great reputation.
The United States has copied the English soccer tier system. There’s the top tier, which is Major League Soccer, followed by the second tier, the United Soccer League Championship. The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC are part of the second tier of soccer in the United States.
Even though they’re one of the newest teams in Colorado, first coming out on the scene in 2010, fans in Colorado Springs love going to games. As of now, there’s no system in place for relegation or elevation to the next tier. One day, sports fanatics might see the Switchbacks in Major League Soccer. They aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Find out more about the 21 greatest professional sports teams who have actually disappeared from competitions.