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Gay & Lesbian Sports Organizations in Colorado

Article Author: Natalie Maldonado

Team Colorado

Article Author: Natalie Maldonado[1][2]
Team Colorado - From teamcolorado.org.png

About Team Colorado

Formation : 1991
Current Founders : Chris Arrellin, Keenan Kanaeholo, RobBuikema, Scott White
Type : Non-profit Organization
Purpose : Organizing events and teams to foster communityand provide a space for the LGBTQ members to be a part ofathletics
Related Organizations : Gay Games
Website: https://www.teamcolorado.org/home

History

Team Colorado was originally founded in 1991 and is now an umbrella group for many Colorado LGBTQ sports teams. Team Colorado of the Rockies is a 501c3 non-profit organization that promotes community and teamwork among a range of LGBTQ-oriented sports organizations. The group holds multiple events throughout the year, from team dinners to sponsoring local sports events; ensuring the continued support for the athletic community. Behind the scenes is the Team Colorado Board that consists of volunteer members who oversee the operations of the program. They hold regular meetings to discuss all discourse related to Team Colorado as well as the LGBTQ+ Sports Organizations. Members of the community and outside of the board are also welcome to attend board meetings. Their presence was crucial in starting to build a sports outlet and community among LGBTQ+ members. This is seen in many newspapers, oral histories, and more. They have gained respect, community, and sponsorships along the way; which keeps their organization functioning today. They also organize and push for the representation of Colorado athletes to go compete in the Gay Games to further the fostering of a competitive and prideful comradery.

Events

1999 - Annual Spaghetti Dinner

Team Colorado - Annual Spaghetti Dinner.png

An event hosted to foster the rising LGBTQ+ community as people became more involved in society through these sports teams.

To foster community both on and off the court/field, an event that was held every year was Team Colorado’s annual spaghetti dinner. This was open to all teams and families and was an opportunity for athletes to tell stories from their season, or discuss what the upcoming season would look like. Getting everyone to gather around a table created a full circle moment every year for individuals to sit back and realize, “Look at the community we’ve built.” Nothing provides comfort more than a home-cooked meal in a place where you feel safe and loved. This event was held at the Metropolitan Community Church of the Rockies, which was built in 1972.

The MCC’s motto is, “We are people on a journey, learning to live into our spirituality, while affirming our bodies, our genders, our sexualities. We don’t all believe exactly the same things. And yet in the midst of our diversity, we build community, grounded in God’s radically inclusive love for all people.” – Holding the dinner in a place that accepted the LGBTQ community with open arms was crucial for getting people there.

1999 - GLBT Sports Day/Health Fair

Team Colorado - GLBT Sports Day.png
[3]
An event hosted during Pride Month to spark community, spread health awareness, and present

an opportunity for everyone to get involved in teams and organizations.

The GLBT Sports Day/Health Fair was a community event in Denver that focused on LGBTQ+ sports and health. Health Fairs typically consisted of providing HIV testing, counseling, and sexual awareness, along with free condoms. They had speakers, allied organizations, and health groups booths in order to spread as much knowledge to the LGBTQ community in order for people to feel safe and secure in their identity.

The sports part of the event featured Volleypalooza, a volleyball tournament sponsored by the Colorado Gay Volleyball Association (CGVA). This tournament featured a double elimination pool play, where teams compete within their pool based on their performance. Teams play matches to then determine their seed going into the tournament. The event was designed to promote a safe and inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community through volleyball.

Another sports event featured was the Rainbow Run. This run was a fun 5k that was and still is a vibrant way to celebrate Pride Month, bringing the community together in support of LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion. Throughout the running (or walking) course, participants get covered in brightly colored powder, ending the race doused in every color of the rainbow.

Today, proceeds raised from the run are donated to the CSU Pride Resource Center to support students in need.[4]

Sponsorships

Coors Brewing Company

Gaining recognition and building community, Team Colorado was able to get sponsorships from companies as well known and impactful as the Coors Brewing Company. The company aligned with their values, enacting an employee policy stating: “Our company policy on employees with AIDS or the AIDS virus is the same as with any other serious illness. We will deal with each case individually...Any employee with AIDS will be afforded privacy, will remain eligible for all benefits including disability plans, and will be provided management support to remain productive.”
Team Colorado - 1994 - Coors Brewing Company Sponsorship.png
Ground Zero News Letter, February 1995

In 1994, the company sponsored Team Colorado’s presence in that year’s Gay Games. Both sides benefited from this collaboration; Coors gained credibility, visibility, and support from the LGBTQ community; while Team Colorado gained exposure in the games, received funding, and increased their recognition with their name now tied to a big name brand (one also already huge within the queer community.) [5][6][7]

References

Gay Games

About Gay Games

Formation: 1982, San Francisco
Founder : Tom Waddell
Type : Sport and Cultural event
Purpose : Promote acceptance of sexual diversity within athletes and foster a competitive and inclusive community
Related Organizations: Federation of Gay Games (FGG)

The very first Gay Games occurred in 1982, becoming a space that celebrated the intersection of sports, culture, and LGBTQ+ activism. The Gay Games created a space where people could compete and shine with no fear of discrimination. The event attracted over 1,300 participants, with that number growing every year. Team Colorado is featured in these Gay Games, and participants have to be registered with Team Colorado in order to compete in the games. The team has been extremely successful in the games over the years, and it has fostered a community both inside and out of the Colorado area.

Colorado Gay Volleyball Association

Article Author: Natalie Maldonado [1:1]
Colorado Gay Volleyball Association from CGVA website.png

About the Colorado Gay Volleyball Association

Officially founded : 1999
Type : Non-profit Organization
Purpose : Provide a safe and inclusive space in Colorado for LGBTQ and associated communities to foster both healthy competition and inclusion.
Related Organizations : North American Gay Volleyball Association

History

CGVA was officially founded in 1999, but its dates trace its presence back to at least 1994. Volleyball became a popular sport within the LGBTQ community due to its team-focused aspect and the versatility that allowed everyone to play and fill a role; no matter their gender or sexuality. The CGVA was present in LGBTQ events, such as the sports and health fair, hosting their annual, and still ongoing, Volleypalooza. It is the official Denver premier LGBTQ+ Volleyball League where, “all genders, sexual orientations, and allies are welcome.”

Current Mission Statement

“The mission of CGVA is to provide a safe environment for the Colorado LGBTQ+ and allied communities through the sport of volleyball. We aim to promote a healthy balance of competition and community building through inclusion, equality, fair play and social connections.”

References

  1. Original research by Colorado College student Natalie Maldonado during Dr. Rushaan Kumar's Spring 2026 LGBTQ+ Social Movements Class. Some edits were made to fit the website's format. ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Natalie Maldonado, Gay & Lesbian Sports Organizations in Colorado (2026). PPLD Digital Collections, accessed 30/08/2026, https://digitalcollections.ppld.org/nodes/view/1046319 ↩︎

  3. Cheeseman Park was originally a cemetery, converted in 1890, and reopened in 1907. The Mount Prospect Cemetery, established in 1858, served as a final resting place for many of Denver’s early residents, including wealthy citizens and marginalized groups. Over time, it became overcrowded and called for conversion. Cheesman Park is now a lovely, urban park also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, highlighting its architectural and historical significance. ↩︎

  4. “The Equal Times, Winter 1999 : Equality Colorado : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive.” Internet Archive, 2026, archive.org/details/equaltimeswinter00equa_7/page/7/mode/1up?q=Team+Colorado. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026. ↩︎

  5. “Community Vision, January 1994 : Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center (PPGLCC) : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive.” Internet Archive, 1994, archive.org/details/communityvisionj00pike_4/page/22/mode/1up?q=Gay+Games. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026. ↩︎

  6. “Community Vision, May 1994 : Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center (PPGLCC) : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive.” Internet Archive, May 1994, archive.org/details/communityvisionm00pike_1/page/10/mode/1up?q=Gay+Games. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026. ↩︎

  7. “The Equal Times, Summer/Fall 1994 : Equality Colorado : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive.” Internet Archive, 2026, archive.org/details/equaltimessummer00equa_0/page/4/mode/1up?q=Gay+Game. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026. ↩︎



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Research and writing within is by Nico Wilkinson, unless otherwise stated.