Happy birthday, Colorado — and Colorado sports.

Leading into the state’s 150th birthday Aug. 1, The Denver Gazette has partnered with the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame to publicize the definitive list of Colorado’s top 150 sports moments.

Colorado Sports Hall of Fame historian Dave Plati and a committee of 10 compiled and will release the list every week until the No. 1 moment on July 31. Plati and Broncos icon Jim Saccomano will unveil the list weekly on a Colorado Sports Hall of Fame podcast at coloradosports.org/podcast/.

No. 102 — Sept. 19, 1959

The U.S. Amateur was held for the first time in the state, with 19-year-old Ohio State University junior Jack Nicklaus emerging as the winner on the Broadmoor East Course, defeating Charlie Coe, 1 up. It was the first USGA championship of his career. He won all eight matches over the grueling weeklong test, starting with a 7-and-6 win over Robert Tyre Jones III, son of iconic golf star Bobby Jones.

—Dave Plati, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame historian