ROCKIES
Summer’s a great time for a ballclub to get hot
They call baseball “The Summer Game.”
That’s a good thing for the struggling Rockies, whose spring began with a terrific April, only to be drowned out by a dreadful May.
If the Rockies can stop their slide and compete for the National League West title, early June will be key as they step to the plate against division rivals. Included are back- to-back home series against the Los Angeles Dodgers (June 9-12) and the San Diego Padres (June 13-15).
And if the Rockies are still in the hunt, mark down a key September series against the San Francisco Giants on your calendar. The defending World Series champions will be in Denver for a four-game series Sept. 15-18.
This year’s interleague schedule brings the Detroit Tigers to Coors Field (June 17-19), followed by the Chicago White Sox (June 28-30). Other summer highlights at Coors Field include fireworks nights July 1 and July 2. The Kansas City Royals will be in Denver for those games.
And don’t forget, you can take a short drive down Interstate 25 to see the Triple-A Sky Sox in Colorado Springs. Check out future Rockies or soak up the minor-league atmosphere. On Friday nights throughout the season, the Sky Sox shoot off postgame fireworks. And they have frequent 50-cent hot dog nights. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
June 10: ProBuild Carlos Gonzalez bobblehead night
June 12: King Soopers baseball cap night for kids
June 19: Sky Sox youth fielder gloves giveaway
July 1-2: Independence Day fireworks nights at Coors Field
July 4: Sky Sox Independence Day fireworks night and concert
July 7: Sky Sox “Viva Las Vegas” and “Bark in the Park” night
July 16: Rockies team poster and photo day
July 17: Coca-Cola baseball cap day
Aug. 20: King Soopers Troy Tulowitzki bobblehead day
Sept. 5: Sky Sox “Shirt Off Our Backs” night
Sept. 21: Fan appreciation day
OUTDOORS
Get hooked on fishing
From clinics to contests, education to adventure, the summer season has it all in the Colorado outdoors.
There’s ample opportunity for anglers and hunters alike to sharpen their skills in the coming months, or simply enjoy a day wetting a line in a favorite fishing hole.
Kids and family are included too.
But while the fishing is easy, it’s also time to start thinking about the fall hunt.
Scott Willoughby, The Denver Post
Monday-July 14: “Wanna Go Fishing for Millions” fishing contest at Lake Pueblo and Blue Mesa Reservoir, .
June 4-5: Free fishing weekend. No license needed, but all other regulations including bag and possession limits are in effect.
June 4-5: Orvis Fly Fishing 201, free fly-fishing clinic at Denver Orvis shops. Runs every weekend through July 16-17. .
June 4-5: Teva Mountain Games “2 fly X-stream fishing” competition, Vail. Open competition. .
June 5: Colorado Bowhunters Association-Colorado Division of Wildlife bowhunter education course at Denver Bass Pro Shops. Don Biesecker, 303-344-8880; or Rose Ashurst, 720-936-5778.
June 10: Aurora Reservoir by moonlight, night fishing opportunity. First 200 to register through .
June 10-12: DOW outdoor adventure weekend for youth and families at Two Buttes State Wildlife Area, west of Lamar. Register with Todd Marriott at 719-340-0279.
June 11: 11th annual Arvada Reservoir kids fishing contest begins at 6 a.m. for ages 3-14. Call Tom Griffiths at 720-898-7416.
June 17: “Fly-fishing within an hour of Denver” class for anglers seeking close-to-home fishing spots. Send e-mail to matt.ferren@state.co.us or call 303-291-7804 to register.
June 25-26: “Beyond the basics of hunter education” class for new youth hunter education graduates and guardians. Kassler Education Center, Littleton. Vicki Vargas Madrid, 303-291-7135.
Aug. 6: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunting season begins.
Aug. 15: Archery hunting season for pronghorn begins.
Aug 27: South Platte pro-am carp slam fishing tournament, open competition benefiting Denver Trout Unlimited. .
Aug. 27: Archery hunting season for deer and elk begins.
Sept. 1: Hunting season for doves, sharp-tailed and dusky grouse, chukars, band-tailed pigeons and turkeys begins.
Sept. 2: Rifle hunting season for bear begins.
RUNNING
Mud races offer filthy fun
Want to get down and dirty? There is a growing list of mud races catering to those looking for a different kind of running challenge. Mom never would have let you play like this.
Mud races combine running on rugged terrain and obstacle courses with splashing through truly disgusting muck, mire and sludge. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?
OK, maybe not. But if you’re interested, check out the Tough Mudder on June 25-26 at Beaver Creek, the Muddy Buddy at Boulder Reservoir on Aug. 14 or the Original Mud Run at Winter Park. If you’re allergic to mud, the list we have c0mpiled is full of opportunities for good, clean fun.
John Meyer, The Denver Post
Monday: Bolder Boulder 10K
June 4: Turquoise Lake Half Marathon, Leadville
June 5: Steamboat Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K
June 9: Uni-Hill 2K, Boulder
June 11: Sunrise Stampede 10K, Longmont
June 11: Run the Rockies Half Marathon and 10K, Frisco
June 12: Garden of the Gods 10-Mile Run, Manitou Springs
June 18: Mount Evans Ascent
June 25: Slacker Half Marathon, Georgetown
July 2: Leadville Marathon and Half Marathon
July 21: West End 3K, Boulder
Aug. 7: Evergreen Town Race (10K, 5K)
Aug. 11: Pearl Street Mile, Boulder
Aug. 12-13: Wild West Relay, Fort Collins-Steamboat
Aug. 13: Georgetown-Idaho Springs Half Marathon
Aug. 20-21 Leadville Trail 100
Aug. 20-21: Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon
Aug. 26-27: Colorado Relay, Georgetown-Carbondale
Sept. 5: Park to Park 10 mile, 5 mile, Denver
MOTORSPORTS
Bandimere Speedway, Pikes Peak help fuel the action
The ground will shake along the edge of Denver on July 22 when the Mopar Mile-High Nationals hit Bandimere Speedway drag strip for the 32nd year. The stop in Morrison remains a big hit with NHRA fans and is the first race of the series’ Western swing.
As well as the national event, Bandimere Speedway hosts events every week on the quarter-mile track all summer. And the Colorado National Speedway (a three-eighths-mile, NASCAR paved oval) in Dacono continues to draw hundreds of drivers and thousands of fans every weekend.
High Plains Raceway (a 2.5-mile road course) near Byers has a pretty full calendar, with a variety of events and clubs through the summer.
Two other national events — the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and the AMA Motocross Nationals at Thunder Valley — take place on the same weekend in late June. Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
June 10-12: Motocross South Central Regional Championships, Thunder Valley
June 18-19: Porsche Club of America Rocky Mountain Region, High Plains Raceway
June 17-19: Thunder on the Mountain (Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series), Bandimere Speedway
June 25: AMA Motocross Nationals, Thunder Valley
June 26: 88th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
July 2-3: CNS Midseason Championship Nights, Colorado National Speedway
July 4-9: NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Western Conference finals, Bandimere Speedway
July 22-25: Mopar Mile-High Nationals (NHRA), Bandimere Speedway
Aug. 6-7: Rocky Mountain Vintage car racing, High Plains Raceway
Aug. 6: Toyota NAPA 150 (NASCAR Pro Series West), Colorado National Speedway
Aug. 7: Rocky Mountain Truck Fest, Bandimere Speedway
Sept. 3-5: Sports Car Club of America racing, High Plains Raceway
Sept. 3: Labor Day Shootout, Colorado National Speedway
Sept. 5: All-American High School Drags, Bandimere Speedway
SOCCER
Galaxy stars in town June 18
It could be a busy summer for the Rapids, who not only are defending their MLS title, but will do so against some of the most interesting opponents Dick’s Sporting Goods Park has seen.
In MLS play, there is a good chance that fans will get to see both U.S. national team star Landon Donovan and pop culture superstar David Beckham — in his last season in the league — this summer when the Los Angeles Galaxy comes to Denver on June 18. While Beckham has missed a few games this year, he’s been present for the majority of them and has been in good health.
Meanwhile, CONCACAF Champions League group stage play heats up in August. The Rapids already know what group they are in, but not all opponents will be finalized until preliminary round matches are completed in the first week of August. The Rapids and group stage play begins Aug. 16. Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
June 18: Rapids vs. Galaxy, 7 p.m., DSG Park
June 30: Rapids’ fourth annual World Cup of Wine & Beer charity event, 6-9 p.m., DSG Park
July 3: Rapids vs. Dynamo, 7 p.m., DSG Park (fireworks game)
Aug. 16: CONCACAF Champions League play begins.
BRONCOS
Football fans locked out too
Here’s hoping there will be live NFL events for Colorado fans by Labor Day. Because of the current NFL lockout, which began in early March, there is a chance the Broncos’ training camp, preseason games and the start of the regular season could be delayed.
Should NFL owners and players reach an agreement this summer, fans will be able to watch training camp by late July. Keep those fingers crossed for progress, Broncos fans.
All of the dates below are dependent on the end of the lockout, either through litigation or a new collective bargaining agreement.
Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post
July 28: The tentative start date for training camp, the first under new head coach John Fox. Practices will be at Dove Valley, and most are open to the public. All open practices are free. The Broncos are planning an open practice at Invesco Field at Mile High at some point during the first two weeks of camp.
Aug. 20: Preseason game vs. Buffalo at Invesco Field
Aug. 27: Preseason game vs. Seattle at Invesco Field
TRIATHLON
Laskey dreaming big
The big news on the Colorado triathlon scene this year is the debut of the Denver Triathlon on July 24. Race director Chris Laskey believed a great city filled with lots of great triathletes in the greater metropolitan area deserved a great triathlon, and that’s what he’s trying to create.
The swim will be in Sloan’s Lake, with the bike going west on Colfax and then east to Invesco Field, where the run begins. The run utilizes the Platte River and Cherry Creek bike paths before finishing at Invesco. Competitors can choose the Olympic or spring distance.
Laskey is dreaming big, and he’s an impressive guy. This is an event with huge potential.
John Meyer, The Denver Post
June 19: 5430 Sprint, Boulder
June 25: Lake to Lake, Loveland
July 10: Boulder Peak
July 16: Avon Xterra
July 24: Denver triathlon
Aug. 7: Tri for the Cure, Denver
Aug. 7: 70.3 Ironman, Boulder
Aug. 20-21: Rattlesnake, Aurora
LACROSSE, RUGBY
Outlaws offer up pro version
With the fever that the University of Denver men’s lacrosse team has generated, maybe the Denver Outlaws will benefit from the carryover.
In their sixth season, the Outlaws have five more home games at Invesco Field at Mile High this summer, including a three-game home stretch in July.
While the Churchill Cup is not in town this summer, there are still plenty of happenings at 3 1/2-year-old Infinity Park rugby stadium. The best college and men’s club teams are coming in this summer for their national championships.
June 4-5: Men’s Club Championships: America’s top club rugby teams vie for the national championships in Divisions I, II and III, Infinity Park
June 9-11: National Collegiate All Stars: best collegiate rugby players compete for the title, Infinity Park
June 11: Chesapeake Bayhawks at Outlaws
June 25: Try League Rugby Jamboree
June 25: Long Island Lizards at Outlaws
July 3: Boston Cannons at Outlaws
July 16: Rochester Rattlers at Outlaws
July 30: Boston Cannons at Outlaws (home finale)
GOLF
Top-flight players return
Golf enthusiasts are in for a treat this summer as major championship golf returns to the Front Range with the 66th U.S. Women’s Open at The Broadmoor’s famed East Course, July 7-10 in Colorado Springs.
Regarded worldwide as the No. 1 event in women’s golf, the U.S. Women’s Open made its last stop in Colorado in 2005, when South Korea’s Birdie Kim holed out a bunker shot on the 72nd hole to win at Cherry Hills.
Paula Creamer, winner of last year’s U.S. Women’s Open, will be joined at The Broadmoor by a suddenly formidable contingent of U.S.-born players, including Cristie Kerr, Michelle Wie, Morgan Pressel, Brittany Lincicome and teenager Alexis Thompson. For info on the tournament or for tickets, go to or call 719-633-6736.
Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
June 1-3: HealthOne Colorado Women’s Open, Green Valley Ranch
July 7-10: U.S. Women’s Open, Broadmoor East
July 11-15: 111th CGA Match Play, Bear Creek GC
July 21-24: Colorado Open, Green Valley Ranch
July 25-27: CWGA Match Play, Commonground GC
Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Colorado Senior Open, Green Valley Ranch
EXTREMES
Mountains offer up more than skiing as warmer weather brings out runners, cyclists, river rats
This summer in Colorado’s high country, the pioneers mingle with their progeny as upstart gatherings sprout among the state’s legendary tribal roundups. The vast menu of challenge-to-cheer offerings requires some tough decisions, but rest assured that there is no wrong selection on any given weekend.
Dabble in something new, such as Eagle’s first mountain bike festival, or watch the heavily trumpeted U.S. Pro Cycling Challenge. Or revisit the tradition-rich events that paved the way for Colorado’s peak-playground status, like the 63rd annual FIBArk or the Gore Canyon Festival.
Heck, there is even a good chance you can ride at Arapahoe Basin on America’s birthday. The resort currently has June 19 as its updated closing date, but factor in the current 97-inch base and things are looking good for skiing in July. When the resort extended its season earlier this month, COO and general manager Alan Henceroth said, “We would like to stay open on the weekends until the Fourth of July, but we’ll have to see how snow conditions hold up.” Yes, they are holding up.
Whatever your choice, a horde of your soon-to-be-finest pals will meet you there, ready for a pedal or a paddle or a woo hoo! and a brew.
Jason Blevins, The Denver Post
Through today: Hammer Mash, Eagle’s first mountain bike festival,
Through Monday: Inaugural Golden Games,
Through Monday: Skiing at Aspen Mountain,
Through Monday: Triple Dhip, DH mtb race at SolVista,
Monday: Paddling Life Invitational in Steamboat Springs,
June 2-5: Teva Mountain Games in Vail,
June 5: Elephant Rock,
June 10-12: Lyons Outdoor Games,
June 11-12: SUP Whitewater Championships in Glenwood, white-
June 11-12: Ten Mile One Mile Kayak Race,
June 11-17: Ride The Rockies, Crested Butte to Georgetown,
June 15-19: FIBArk, whitewater festival,
June 18: Bailey Hundo, endurance mountain bike race,
June 19: Arapahoe Basin’s scheduled last day,
June 24-25: Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival, royalgorge-
June 24-26: Gunnison River Festival,
June 24-26: Crested Butte Bike Week, with Wildflower Rush and Friday night Chainless World Championship down Kebler Pass
July 2: Leadville Trail Marathon,
July 9: TreadFest, charity mountain bike race benefiting the National Sports Center for the Disabled and the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter,
July 16: Rampart Rage Adventure Race,
July 23-25: Courage Classic, 157-mile Summit County road ride benefiting Children’s Hospital,
July 24: Purgatory Triple Crown bike race at Durango Mountain Resort,
July 28-31: Crankworx at Winter Park,
Aug. 5-7: Leadville Boom Days International Pack Burro Race,
Aug. 13: Leadville Trail 100 MTB Race,
Aug. 14-19: Breck Epic,
Aug. 20: Gore Canyon Festival
Aug. 20-21: Pikes Peak Marathon/Ascent,
Aug. 21: Monarch Crest Crank,
Aug. 22-28: U.S. Pro Cycling Challenge,
Aug. 28: Power of Four Mountain Bike Race, Aspen, aspen-
