Vinny Benedetto, Nuggets writer

For the Nuggets, the 2025 that was: a year of transformation for a franchise built on continuity. Michael Malone, the only coach Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray knew in Denver, was fired on the same day as general manager Calvin Booth in an unprecedented move with only three games left in the regular season. New coach David Adelman showed he was ready for his first head-coaching gig by taking the eventual champion Thunder to seven games in the second round, while co-executives Jon Wallace and Ben Tenzer impressed with an offseason overhaul.

And the 2026 that will be: figures to look a lot like last season sans the change in leadership. Nikola Jokic and Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the favorites to battle for Most Valuable Player for a second consecutive season as long as Denver’s superstar can meet the 65 games requirement after hyperextending his left knee on Monday. If the Nuggets want to get back to the Finals, it will probably require getting past the Thunder. Before worrying about all of that, the Nuggets need to get healthy, and that isn’t expected to be the case until around the All-Star break in the middle of February.

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Evan Rawal, Avalanche writer

For the Avalanche, the 2025 that was: A stunning and disappointing end to the 2024-25 season that fueled the Colorado Avalanche to one of the hottest starts in NHL history. Another playoff loss to the Dallas Stars, this time led by former Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen, has the 2025-26 group looking motivated and, quite frankly, unstoppable. It helps that captain Gabriel Landeskog defied all odds to return to the lineup, adding stability to the locker room, and that Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar continue to look like two of the three best hockey players in the world.

And the 2026 that will be: It’s Stanley Cup or bust in Denver, and it won’t be bust. A dominant regular season won’t mean anything if there’s not another parade in downtown Denver this June. Despite the Avalanche steamrolling every team in the NHL this season, Chris MacFarland is not the type to sit on his hands. He’ll add at least two more pieces to his lineup, ensuring Landeskog is lifting Lord Stanley in a few months time. Brent Burns and that glorious beard holding the Stanley Cup will be a sight to behold.

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Paul Klee, sports editor

For Colorado sports fans, the 2025 that was: Painful setbacks before major comebacks. The Avalanche were one-and-done in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Nuggets took the Thunder to seven games before a conference semifinal exit. The Broncos learned the hard way in a wild-card loss to the Bills. Deion Sanders’ decision to retired the jerseys of Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders? It looked less silly when the Buffs experienced life without them. The Rockies served up more cold beer and Instagram sunsets than wins. 

And the 2026 that will be: Just wait until you see what’s coming from The Denver Gazette sports department. Will columnist Mark Kiszla return with a cup of gelato from the Winter Olympics in Italy? Will anyone join Kevin Henry on the road with the Rockies? Vinny Benedetto and Evan Rawal are packing for deep playoff runs with the Nuggets and Avalanche. Tyler King says it’s bowl-or-bust in Coach Prime’s fourth go-round. Expect Chris Tomasson and Kyle Fredrickson to have company at Levi’s Stadium for the Broncos’ return to the big game — Super Bowl LX on Sunday, Feb. 8. But first, we’ll debut next week an exciting series in these pages: Colorado’s Top 150 sports moments.

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Kevin Henry, Rockies writer

For the Rockies, the 2025 that was: It was a season that Rockies fans prefer to forget but never will. The franchise’s 119 losses will likely (hopefully?) be a mark that stands in franchise records forever. However, out of the dredges has emerged what the Rockies hope will be a foundation that eventually lifts Colorado from the National League West basement. A new front office regime and a coaching staff built primarily from outside the organization has given a glimmer of hope at the end of what was a very dark year.

And the 2026 that will be: Colorado will be better in 2026 (closer to 100 losses than 119) and see heralded prospect Charlie Condon get his chance to take over at first base. Brenton Doyle will be dealt at the MLB trade deadline for pitching prospects as Mickey Moniak continues his rebirth in a Rockies uniform. After finishing the season by taking two of three from the White Sox in Chicago, a cold, dark winter begins to set in around MLB as a labor stoppage looms that will eventually delay the start of the 2027 campaign.

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Chris Tomasson, Broncos writer

For the Broncos, the 2025 that was: Coach Sean Payton suggested before the season he had a Super Bowl-caliber team, which elicited some super snickers. But Payton has had the last laugh for now. His Broncos are 13-3 and have clinched the AFC West heading into Sunday’s finale against the Chargers. If they beat a Chargers team that is resting quarterback Justin Herbert, they will be the No. 1 AFC playoff seed. Bo Nix has shown in 2025 he is the real deal at quarterback — even though he sometimes doesn’t come alive until the fourth quarter. And the defense, with 64 sacks, regularly takes the life out of opposing quarterbacks.

And the 2026 that will be: The Broncos will come out of the watered-down AFC and make Super Bowl LX. But they will be manhandled by San Francisco, playing at home with head coach Kyle Shanahan, son of legendary Broncos boss Mike Shanahan. Vance Joseph will depart as defensive coordinator for a head coaching job and be replaced by top defensive assistant Jim Leonhard. Payton will earn a lucrative contract extension and unlimited Walmart gift cards from Greg Penner. A year after showing little interest in re-signing running back Javonte Williams, the Broncos will beg for him to move back from Dallas. But 2026 will be a tougher season, with the Broncos having a first-place schedule and not always being able to let lesser foes off the hook in close games.

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Kyle Fredrickson, Broncos beat writer

For a new Broncos Stadium, the 2025 that was: The Walton-Penner family ownership group announced in September that Burnham Yard is the preferred site for a new Broncos stadium with the anticipated opening in 2031. Community planning for the privately financed, retractable-roof venue kicked off in November with an open house to create a dialogue with surrounding neighborhoods of the historic railyard. The excitement is building for a modernized stadium to replace the aging Empower Field at Mile High.

And the 2026 that will be: The Broncos expect to release “plan concepts and alternatives” early in the upcoming year with a second community meeting offered for review and feedback. The next stage will be “preferred concepts and recommendations” in the spring. A public draft review process is slated to begin in the summer. The Broncos’ finalized stadium plans are expected to be submitted for approval to Denver City Council in the fall. New stadium construction is planned to begin in 2027.

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Mark Kiszla, sports columnist

For Colorado sports, the 2025 that was: The volume knob on Broncomania got cranked all the way back up to 10 for the first time in 10 years. Coach Sean Payton, quarterback Bo Nix and cornerback Pat Surtain proved to be nuthin’ but the whole truth. And here’s how we know: Take a look around this dusty old cowtown on a Sunday afternoon. For the first time since Peyton Manning was our beloved Sheriff, the streets and stores in Denver go eerily quiet in the hour before the Broncos kick off, because everyone and their brother is hunkered down with nachos and beer in front of the television.

And the 2026 that will be: For Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets? Forget the championship chase. All we hope and pray is Joker comes back as good he ever was, whenever that may be. For Deion Sanders and the CU Buffs? He will forever be Prime, but it takes more than a cowboy hat and shades to actually coach a football team. For Nathan MacKinnon and the Avs? Cup or bust, baby. For the Rockies? No matter how Paul DePodesta rearranges the deck chairs, this ballclub will remain a Titanic failure. And for the Broncos? They’ve given their blood and sweat, but there’s usually tears before a team gets to raise the Lombardi Trophy.

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Tyler King, college sports reporter

For the CU Buffs, the 2025 that was: A year of gratitude, but also disappointment for Deion Sanders and his program. For starters, Coach Prime beat bladder cancer over the summer and had blood clots in his legs resurface during the season. The fact he did so while missing zero games on the sidelines shows how much he still wants to be a college coach, even with his sons no longer in Boulder. That’s where the positives end. Despite preseason expectations to contend in the Big 12, the Buffs had their worst season of the Sanders era at 3-9. With several talented players already bolting for the transfer portal, things are trending down heading into 2026.

And the 2026 that will be: More of the same. Even with the hire of new athletic director Fernando Lovo, who knows all the aspects that make for a successful football program and was an ace fundraiser in one year at New Mexico, the Buffs need their version of Cody Campbell — the billionaire oil tycoon bankrolling Texas Tech’s rise back to prominence. But without a clear financial savior in sight, another underwhelming transfer portal class will lead to a second straight season without a bowl game and more frustration for Sanders that leads him to think coaching at CU just isn’t for him anymore.