ABOUT DENVER SPORTS

Denver Sports was founded in 2001 to help bring high-profile sporting events to Denver. The organization is best known for its involvement with the 2008 NCAA Men's Frozen Four, the 2012 NCAA Women's Final Four and the annual Rocky Mountain Showdown football game that matches the University of Colorado Boulder against Colorado State University. For the past 11 years, the organization also led the effort to position Denver for a possible future Olympic Bid. Several board members of Denver Sports also served on the Olympic Exploratory Committee formed by Mayor Hancock and Governor Hickenlooper in 2012.

Denver Sports is a clearinghouse and resource for all sporting event organizers interested in Denver as a future location. Denver Sports proactively identifies, pursues and attracts new sporting opportunities and helps Denver to compete regionally, nationally and internationally to host amateur and professional athletic competitions and events. The work of Denver Sports would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of area businesses, educational institutions, civic organizations and professional sports teams, as well as the involvement and support of the Metro Denver community. An Advisory Board comprised of local business and community leaders assists Denver Sports in fulfilling its mission.

In December 2012, the Board of Directors of the Metro Denver Sports Commission (Denver Sports) voted to align themselves with VISIT DENVER's sports marketing efforts, effective January, 2013.

MISSION

To attract sporting events and sport-related business opportunities that generate economic impact, engage the community and support Denver's brand as an active, healthy city.

ABOUT VISIT DENVER

VISIT DENVER is a non-profit trade association and has been the official marketing arm for the city since 1909, with the mission of marketing Denver as a convention and leisure destination. VISIT DENVER has a sports department that has worked hand-in-hand with Denver Sports on bringing in major events, as well as attracting other sports events to the city, such as the annual Colorado Crossroads Volleyball Tournament. Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, an avid sports fan, helped lead the alignment, which will combine the mission of Denver Sports and VISIT DENVER, the city’s official marketing arm with more than 100 years of experience in attracting and staging high-profile events.  The most notable results of the past sales and marketing efforts are the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 1990; The Olympic Festival in 1995; the NBA, NHL and MLB All-Star games and the USA Pro Challenge.  VISIT DENVER worked in tandem with Denver Sports, the Mayor and the Governor on the Olympic Exploratory Committee and is currently working with the Broncos to explore a potential future Super Bowl bid.