In 2001, the Metro Denver Sports Commission was created to elevate the brand of Denver and ultimately put The Mile High City in the upper tier of best sports cities in America.
Founded and created by Robert Cohen (IMA Financial), along with several key community leaders, this highly regarded profile was accomplished by recruiting and managing several signature events throughout the years.
In December 2012, the Board of Directors of the Metro Denver Sports Commission voted to become an affiliate of VISIT DENVER’s sports marketing efforts, effective January 2013. Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, an avid sports fan, helped lead the alignment. A Denver Sports Advisory Committee was formed immediately afterward and has been working diligently to fulfill the mission ever since.
As an official affiliate of VISIT DENVER, the Denver Sports Commission (often referred to as Denver Sports) operates as a clearinghouse and resource for all sporting event owners and organizers interested in Denver as a future location. The mission of Denver Sports is to proactively identify, pursue and attract new regional, national and international sporting events and sports-related business opportunities that generate economic impact, engage the community and support Denver’s brand as an active, healthy city.
2022 In the Spotlight
The Denver Sports Commission, an affiliate of VISIT DENVER, had a busy year in 2022 working to pursue new sports events for Denver, while preparing for major international sporting events coming to the city. Denver Sports also made connections and recruited business at several networking events, including the NASC Symposium in Fort Worth, the Chief Executive Summit in Las Vegas, Soccerex America in Miami, the Hosts and Federations Summit (virtual) and the TEAMS Conference in Oklahoma City.
Hockey Capital USA
In 2022, Denver was crowned Hockey Capital USA, due to the unprecedented FOUR championships won by teams at all levels of the sport:
- Colorado Avalanche - Stanley Cup Champions
- DU Pioneers - NCAA Men’s Champions
- Denver East Hockey - National Champions
- Pee-Wee Jr. Avs - Quebec International Champions
This achievement was celebrated across the city with banners, billboards and digital promotions. Additionally, a large puck was unveiled at an October press conference and was subsequently displayed around the city. More than 500,000 fans turned out for the parade celebrating the Colorado Avalanche winning the 2022 Stanley Cup.
