Creating Five-Star Experiences

Few things are more Americana than the United States military and competitive sports. So when an area like Colorado Springs, which is home to nearly 90,000 military veterans, takes on an event, one can expect Olympic City USA to deliver a first-class showstopper.
 

“Our sports ecosystem is really robust,” says Cheryl McCullough, Senior Director of Sports and Events for Visit Colorado Springs. “We have over 60 sports organizations that are headquartered here and that includes the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, along with 25 national governing bodies.”
 

And with five nearby military installations, including Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station and the United States Air Force Academy, the community’s appreciation for homegrown heroes is fierce.
 

So when the Warrior Games charge back into town in mid-July, the community will be ready and waiting to give the 200-plus participants the salute they deserve. According to the Department of Defense’s Warrior Games official website, wounded, ill and injured military members and veterans compete in adaptive sports such as archery, cycling, swimming, track and wheelchair basketball as part of their recovery process.
 

While an official date has not yet been announced, the stage will be set for the occasion at Colorado College as well as the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, with Hotel Polaris serving as the headquarter hotel. The 375-room, four-star hotel and conference center is located just outside of the Air Force Academy’s north gate.
 

“There’s a lot of things about our community that create the perfect storm to where it’s a good decision for event organizers to choose here,” McCullough notes. “And I think our military adds to that because there’s that feel of excellence and pride that correlates a lot with military as well as with sports.”
 

This summer, the city will host a bevy of events ranging from professional to amateur sports. While some will bring in hundreds of participants, others will bring in millions of dollars in economic impact.
 

U.S. Senior Open Golf Championship

Take, for example, the 45th U.S. Senior Open Golf Championship. The event will be held June 25-29 at The Broadmoor Golf Club’s East Course, which is on the southern edge of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of more than 6,300 feet. It is the third time the event will be hosted at this epic resort, which boasts a Donald Ross-designed course.
 

More than 400 volunteers will converge for the multi-day tournament, which McCullough says actually begins earlier than the scheduled dates as competitors begin to trickle in.
 

“The pro players will arrive earlier to get acclimated to the altitude and get used to the course because it’s a very hard course,” she notes.
 

While on site, spectators can take a self-guided tour of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, which honors those who have “made a profound impact on the sport,” according to the museum’s website. Founded in 1973, the collection includes medals, pins, plaques, trophies and golf clubs swung by some of the sport’s best.
 

A Youth Sports Mecca

But not every event has to bring in millions to be considered a success. In fact, McCullough says, some of the best events cater to more pint-sized patrons.
 

“Our bread and butter are the youth sports that come in because we’re a destination for that as well,” she points out. “These families travel in and it’s also their vacation, so that really is our niche.”
 

Opened in 2000, El Pomar Youth Sports Park has become a standout for hosting tournaments on its nine baseball/softball fields and eight natural grass soccer/lacrosse fields on more than 58 acres.
 

“We saw a great increase in participation in youth sports, particularly in baseball and soccer,” McCullough notes. “For us, 2024 was kind of a standout year.”
 

Additional amenities at the park include a championship size synthetic turf field, an inline hockey rink, a concession area and a trailhead connection to Pikes Peak Greenway Trail.
 

In addition to city ball fields, area competitions also can be hosted at the Air Force Academy, which comes with its own set of perks.
 

“I’m telling you what, if you’re a parent and even an athlete, that is some scenery. It’s gorgeous,” McCullough says. “And then it also gives those kids an opportunity to be at a premier military service academy that they wouldn’t normally get to see.”
 

The Pikes Peak Playground

But the scenery doesn’t just serve as a backdrop for something pretty to look at. Some of Colorado Springs’ most iconic events are set on Pikes Peak, the highest summit in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, just 12 miles west of downtown.
 

Among the most noteworthy in 2025:
 

Pikes Peak APEX: Scheduled for June 6-8, this grassroots mountain biking event is expected to attract more than 400 participants from novices to pros, McCullough says. The stage race takes riders through dirt roads, off-road trails and the legendary alpine singletrack that is synonymous with Pikes Peak, according to the Colorado Springs Sports Corp’s website. The course promises challenges without being overly technical for this USA Cycling sanctioned event.

The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb: Dubbed the Race to the Clouds, this is believed to be the second-oldest motorsports race in America, with its 103rd run taking place June 22. The 12.42-mile invitational race with 156 turns begins at 9,390 feet and ends at Pikes Peak’s 14,100-foot summit, the official website boasts. On June 20, more than 35,000 people will gather for Fan Fest, a 10-block street party that promises motocross demos, live bands, vendor booths, food trucks and an opportunity to meet the racecar drivers.

“There’s nothing like it in the world,” McCullough says. “You don’t know where to be because it’s all exciting. You want to be at the pit because you want to see the cars, and you want to be at the starting line because you want to be that person who’s right there. But then you also want to be at Devil’s Playground where the spinouts happen.”
 

The NFR Open at Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo: With a history steeped in western rodeos, Colorado Springs would not be complete without an event dedicated to the toughest talent in professional rodeo. This national qualifier for major rodeos features more than 200 contestants at the Norris Penrose Event Center for six competition rounds over five days competing in bareback riding, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding, according to the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo official website. Additional attractions include kid-friendly activities like mutton bustin’ (junior wranglers trying to hold onto sheep), pony rides and face painting as well as dancing, music, food, vendors and a beer and wine corral for adults. It runs July 8-12.
 

“As a destination, we are incredibly proud of our rodeo. It sells out every night, and the Rodeo Foundation generously gives back to military charities, reflecting our strong ties to both western and military cultures,” McCullough notes.
 

Whether you’re a weekend tournament attendee or a weekend warrior, weekend tournament or a weekend warrior, there are endless opportunities to participate in the sporting events Colorado Springs has to offer.
 

“Olympic City USA is ready to welcome you and your event! With countless connections and resources, we ensure every event here is a complete success,” McCullough says. “Our community is rich with support for sports, making it the perfect destination for your next event.” SDM