The 8 Best Gifts for Denver Sports Fans

By most cities’ standards, Denver’s sports teams had a pretty successful year. The Nuggets were one ugly half of basketball short of making it to the Western Conference Finals; the Avalanche clinched their seventh-consecutive playoff appearance; the Broncos seem to have finally found their quarterback; and the Rockies…well, you can’t have everything.

In short: Although our franchises didn’t deliver a title in 2024, there was still plenty to celebrate—and there’s no better way to toast their accomplishments than with some holiday-season swag.

Broncos Country Blends from Breckenridge Distillery

Since you couldn’t gift your Broncos-loving brother a win over the Chiefs (so close), give him something to ease the pain. This duo of bourbon blends ($43) isn’t just a good way to wash away post-loss woes, though, it’s also a tasty homage to Broncos history. This year’s blends were brewed with the help of 2024 Hall of Famer Randy Gradishar and former wide receiver Ed McCaffrey. Slip both bottles under the tree, and then have the lucky recipient vote for which is best online, where they’ll have a chance to win even more booze from Breckenridge Distillery. Imbibers who like a bourbon with a smooth finish of caramel and a touch of white pepper will likely opt for Gradishar’s blue blend, while the light toasted nuts and dry oak of McCaffrey’s orange blend might appeal to the traditional whiskey drinker. Available online and at select Colorado retailers

Barefoot Bronco Cutting Board

Back in the 1980s, Rich Karlis was a household name in Denver—and not just because he was the Broncos place-kicker. He was also the last of his kind, knocking in field goals and extra points barefoot. It wasn’t a gimmick: He made big-time kicks, including a game winner that sent the Broncos to the 1986 Super Bowl (don’t ask what happened next). These days, Karlis’ craft involves more hands than feet: He’s become an accomplished woodworker at his home outside of Parker. If you know a Broncos fan who needs a new cutting board (and is nostalgic for a better era of Denver football), we recommend one of Karlis’ models made out of walnut and maple (starting at $65). Available online

Latitude Sports Puck Signed by Avalanche Stars

Metro Denver is lucky to have a few shops devoted to sports memorabilia, including Latitude Sports Marketing, which since 2005 has coordinated signings and appearances with some of the biggest names in Colorado sports. That list includes Avalanche stars, such as Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon, who brought home the Stanley Cup in 2022 and the Hart Trophy this year. If you know a hockey fan who would appreciate a piece of history, consider picking up a puck signed by Landeskog ($110) or MacKinnon ($170)—or just stop in and browse the impressive collection. Latitude Sports Marketing, 2154 E Commons Ave., Unit #312, Centennial

Irv Brown Endowed Scholarship Donation at MSU

It’s rare that a gift actually gives back, but a donation to Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Irv Brown Endowed Scholarship, named for the school’s first baseball coach (and a legend in the Colorado sports scene), certainly does. Money from the fund goes to deserving full-time MSU students who pursue a degree in either sports management or journalism and media production and who also have a demonstrated financial need. There’s no minimum (or maximum) gift, and the donation is tax-deductible, so it’s also a gift for yourself. (Shhhh…we won’t tell.) Available online 

Bill’s Sports Collectibles Baseball Cards

Located on South Broadway just south of Evans Avenue, Bill’s Sports Collectibles is another Denver throwback. For more than 40 years, it’s been the city’s leader in old-stock items, like Broncos and Nuggets jerseys, game-used Rockies bats and Avalanche sticks, plus authentic hats and game-used jerseys from long-ago teams, such as the Denver Bears and Denver Zephyrs. Every serious, longtime Denver sports fan already has something cool from Bill’s—so it’s a no-brainer to stuff their stockings with another gift from this legendary store. Bill’s Sports Memorabilia, 2335 S. Broadway

Merch Signings at Mike’s Stadium Sportscards

Since 1992, Mike’s Stadium Sportscards has been both a reliable trading card shop and the host of countless public autograph signings. One of the best things about Mike’s is that you can pre-purchase signings and there’s signable gear there, if you don’t have your own. Check the store’s Facebook page for a schedule of signings. Mike’s Stadium Sportscards, 4032 South Parker Road, Aurora

Ball Arena Tour

Since changing its name from the Pepsi Center, Ball Arena has been a hotspot for championships. You know about the Nuggets and Avalanche. But Colorado is also home to a professional box lacrosse team, the Mammoth, which won the National Lacrosse League Cup in 2022. You knew that, right? Right. Well, if you want to learn more about the stadium—and get a peek inside visiting locker rooms and the press box—you can book a Ball Arena tour (prices vary), which makes a great gift for a group. Available online

Dikembe Mutombo Official Jersey

Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacque Wamutombo is iconic in basketball lore, in large part because of the five seasons the Hall-of-Famer spent with the Nuggets. Sadly, the 7-foot-2 NBA legend died this past September from brain cancer—leaving a finger-wagging hole in our hearts. What better way to commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime talent than with a certified replica Mutombo jersey (starting at $135)? If you have a Nuggets fan in your life, it’s impossible to say “No, no, no” to this gift. Available online