Warrior Games Return to Its Roots in Colorado Springs

There’s an important sporting event taking place over the next week and while the winners won’t receive a huge paycheck or national notoriety, what the competitors do receive is more important — purpose.

The Warrior Games will take place in Colorado Springs from July 18–26, organized by the Department of Defense in coordination with the Colorado Springs Sports Corp and the Wounded Warrior Project.

The event showcases how adaptive sports transform recovery for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans, and features over 200 wounded warrior athletes competing in 11 adaptive sports.

While some may call mainstream athletes heroes, those who more aptly fit the description will be competing in Colorado Springs, starting today.

“The Warrior Games came about because there were so many injured soldiers coming back and their transition needed an opportunity for something to move forward, something to spark activity and movement and give them a reason to get active again. So that spirit of competition is why they started this event,” said Michael Owens, adaptive sports director, Wounded Warrior Project.

Providing a Competitive Outlet

The first Warrior Games took place in 2010 and the event has been held annually in different cities across the country. No matter where the Warrior Games happen, Owens and his team are there. The Wounded Warrior Project is not only a chief financial sponsor for the Warrior Games but provides around 100 volunteers traveling to the city to support the DoD, which is the event organizer.

“People can expect a lot of fun and excitement, and this event is different than other sports events,” Owens said. “The athletes have a large contingent of family there cheering them on. You have kids, spouses and parents running around and cheering and creating signs and it’s just a lot of fun. It’s definitely a family event.”

Colorado Springs was the site for the first five Warrior Games through 2014, which all took place at the Air Force Academy. The destination had the Games back in 2018 and after a seven–year break (with no Games in 2020 or 2021), Colorado Springs welcomes the adaptive athletes back.

“The public buzz surrounding this event has really shown a lot of the backbone that is the military presence in Colorado Springs,” said Megan Leatham, president and chief executive officer of Colorado Springs Sports Corp. “Colorado Springs has absolutely shown up for this event in the past and is going to continue to this year.”

While most of the competitors at the Warrior Games are American, the event welcomes active duty and veteran disabled athletes from other countries. Australia and Canada regularly send competitors, making it an international event.

The Warrior Games will be streamed on ESPN Plus. Another boost for the event’s profile is that actor/comedian/TV host Jon Stewart, who has supported the military throughout his career, will host the event.

“Jon Stewart is a large supporter of the military and has spoken at the House and Congress many times on veteran rights,” Owens said. “Every year that we get farther away from the war and the war effort, the funding for these types of initiatives goes down. So anytime they have celebrities or other individuals that are very outspoken and have a large platform, or a large community of supporters, to be a part of it, it’s amazing because it just adds to the legitimacy of it. It adds more funding and awareness and puts a spotlight on these types of events.”

Colorado Springs a Perfect Fit

There are five major military installations in Colorado Springs, with the military and defense sector being the largest employer in the city.

It’s always been a natural fit for the Warrior Games to reside at the foot of Pikes Peak, as Leatham makes clear. “There’s not another city that has hosted it as many times as we have and we believe that Colorado Springs is the right fit for this prestigious national event.”

“We’re a city that is very military heavy, but then also have the sports world too — our branding name is Olympic City, USA,” added Davis Tutt, senior director of sports tourism and Olympic engagement at CSSC. “Obviously sports are a major factor of what Colorado Springs is about. The DoD and military are quite a pipeline for Paralympic athletes. And the USOPC here in our city recruits a lot of Paralympians from the military. So the USOPC has also gotten very involved, especially on the Paralympic side.”

Leatham says “a very conservative estimate of economic impact” for the event is $12 million. Unlike previous years, the Warrior Games action will be spread around the city more. In previous iterations, the event took place mostly at the Air Force Academy and the Olympic Training Center. Now, with the edition of new venues since 2018, including Ed Robson Arena on the campus of Colorado College, the city is moving the action closer to the downtown area.

“There was a real desire from the DoD to put it mostly on the Colorado College campus because of Robson Arena, which has about 3,500 permanent seats,” Tutt said. “They saw that as a phenomenal venue. But they also recognize the development that’s taken place between Colorado College and downtown Colorado Springs, whether it’s hotel properties or event venues.”

Indoor rowing, power lifting and sitting volleyball will take place in the main gym at Colorado College. The CC soccer field (Washburn Field) will host archery. The Schlessman Natatorium will provide swimming and Robson Arena will have wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.

The cycling competition will go up and down Cascade Avenue between downtown Colorado Springs and Colorado College. The two offsite venues are Norris Penrose Event Center, which will host precision air, and Gary Berry Stadium for the track and field competition.

“Colorado College understands the importance of this event and the impact it is going to make on this community,” Leatham said. “The behind-the-scenes support of this event and the sheer number of groups that want to be involved with the Warrior Games has been absolutely next level and something that our community should be very proud of.”

Colorado Springs also has the Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center, which is redefining trauma recovery for wounded military members, and the Mt. Carmel Veterans Center, which provides holistic care and community reintegration.

The Warrior Games are slated for San Antonio in 2026 and 2028, so Colorado Springs wants to make a lasting impression to secure future Warrior Games bids.

“When we bid on the Warrior Games, we said, ‘We are not just going to write you a check. We are going to be in there with you on this from beginning to end,’” Leatham said. “We have built an amazing relationship with these people. And we do feel like this event is part of us as a community. So we will be as proactive as possible in trying to get this event in Colorado Springs year after year. And if there was any way possible we could be the permanent home, that will obviously be something that we aggressively shoot for.”