{"id":705389,"date":"2026-01-26T03:02:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T03:02:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/705389\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T03:02:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T03:02:22","slug":"football-crazed-fans-brave-freezing-temps-to-cheer-on-their-teams-in-colorado-springs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/705389\/","title":{"rendered":"Football-crazed fans brave freezing temps to cheer on their teams in Colorado Springs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Neither snow, nor wind, nor freezing cold could keep diehard Denver Broncos and New England Patriots fans from gathering at their favorite Colorado Springs sports bars to cheer for their respective teams during Sunday\u2019s AFC Championship showdown.<\/p>\n

Optimism was high for Broncos fans despite the loss of their starting quarterback, Bo Nix, who suffered a fractured ankle late in Denver\u2019s overtime win over the Buffalo Bills earlier this month. Jarrett Stidham, who had not thrown a pass in a game in about two years, started under center for the Broncos on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the Broncos can still do it,\u201d said Jim Ross, who took in the game with friends at Wyatt\u2019s Pub and Grill in Rockrimmon. \u201cIf they can keep the Patriots off the field, and Stidham can make a couple of big plays, it just might happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Steady snowfall throughout the weekend made for icy conditions and slick roads, but business was booming at several Colorado Springs watering holes as fans packed the bars and tables.<\/p>\n

Todd Wyatt, owner of Wyatt\u2019s Pub and Grill, told The Gazette that business has been \u201cthrough the roof\u201d this football season.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the Avalanche and Nuggets doing so well, it\u2019s a great time to have a sports bar,\u201d Wyatt said.<\/p>\n

At the ViewHouse in northeast Colorado Springs, members of the Pikes Peak Pats fan club rooted for New England to earn its first Super Bowl berth in seven years. The club used to assemble at Fox and Hound, near South Carefree Circle and Powers Boulevard, before the bar closed in 2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, about 25-30 of our members are in Denver, at the game,\u201d said club President Anne Stone.<\/p>\n

\"PatriotsCheryl Cosky, left, and Laura Chickering celebrate after the New England Patriots scored against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, during a Patriots watch party at the ViewHouse in Colorado Springs. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing a Patriots fan in Colorado Springs is different than it might be if I lived in Denver, because this is a military town. We have five military bases, with people from all over the country, and everybody has a different team.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the Overtime Sports Bar and Grill on Union and Dublin boulevards, a crowd composed mostly of Broncos fans seemed to collectively groan as the game ended in a 10-7 Patriots victory. But fans said they were proud of the Broncos\u2019 performance this season, and are optimistic about the 2026-2027 campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Bo Nix had been healthy, I think we would have won,\u201d said Ruben, a Broncos fan who declined to give his last name. \u201cBut we played (the Patriots) tough, and we\u2019ll be back next year.\u201d<\/p>\n


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