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. 41 — Dec. 31, 1985

The Air Force Falcons completed their best season in history (12-1), with a 24-16 win over Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl, AFA’s fourth straight bowl victory. The Longhorns took a quick 7-0 lead but Air Force zoomed ahead with two scores to take a 14-7 lead going into the second quarter and never looked back. Fullback Pat Evans was the game’s MVP, as he had 18 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown. The Falcons were co-champions of the Western Athletic Conference; Texas, the Southwest Conference runner-up, finished 8-4.

—Dave Plati, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame historian