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.

For Nos. 50 to 1, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame historian Dave Plati coordinated a 19-member committee to rank in order what they considered the top moments. The No. 1 moment will be revealed 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. 40 — March 9, 1968

Adams State College was crowned national champion in the NAIA Wrestling Championships. It was the first of 69 national titles the then-Indians and now-Grizzlies have won over seven sports, the most by a Colorado university. Adams hosted the event in Alamosa and methodically pulled away from Nebraska-Omaha, winning by 31 points (108-77). The two dueled again a year later with ASC (now ASU) winning by 14. It added six more in wrestling for a total of eight. It has won 25 in men’s cross country (12 NAIA, 13 NCAA Division II); 24 in women’s cross country (3 NAIA, 21 NCAA Division II); six in women’s indoor track; three in men’s outdoor track (2 NCAA, 1 NAIA); two in men’s indoor track (both NAIA); and one in women’s outdoor track. Joe Vigil coached the first 30 of those champions, with current coach Damon Martin the last 39. The Skyhawks’ most recent titles were 2024 titles in women’s indoor and cross country.

—Dave Plati, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame historian