LITTLETON, Colo. — With its hometown Denver Broncos having won their NFL playoff game over the weekend against the Buffalo Bills, a new survey from Red Rocks Credit Union has found Colorado fans are “literally budgeting around game day and time outside — even as rising costs force most households to tighten their belts.”
According to Red Rocks CU, nationally, about four-in-10 adults say they follow professional or college sports at least somewhat closely, but in Colorado that figure jumps to seven-in-10, “underscoring how deeply fandom shapes residents’ daily lives and financial decisions.”
RRCU said its December 2025 survey of 300 Colorado residents found that 70% follow pro or college sports at least somewhat closely, including 43% who follow closely, and 49% attend live sporting events or watch games on TV at least weekly during the season. At the same time, 83% say rising costs in Colorado have at least somewhat forced them to change how they live or spend, the credit union said.
A ‘Different League’
“Colorado really does operate in a different league when it comes to sports and outdoor culture,” CEO Darius Wise said in a statement. “People are feeling real pressure from housing, groceries and utilities, but they are making intentional choices to protect the experiences that matter most to them.”
Fans Will Bend Budgets, Not Miss Games
Red Rocks CU further reported the survey also found:
• Fans are willing to make concrete spending trade-offs to stay in the stands and on the couch for big games, with 43% of Coloradans saying they are at least somewhat willing to make financial trade-offs — such as cutting back on other expenses — to continue attending sporting events.
• Among those who follow sports very closely, willingness to make trade-offs jumps to 75%, and 65% of this group attend or watch games multiple times per week during the season.
• Even as 54% cite groceries and food and 53% cite rent or mortgage as top financial concerns, dedicated fans are far less likely to cut sporting events to save money than other discretionary expenses.
‘Feeling the Pinch’
“With the Broncos’ playoff run and a packed winter sports calendar, many Coloradans are mapping their schedules around the next kickoff or tip-off,” Wise said. “People are clearly feeling the pinch at the grocery store and with housing costs, but they’re choosing to trim around the edges so they don’t have to give up Sunday at Mile High or a night at Ball Arena. That tells us finances here aren’t just about dollars and cents — they’re about protecting the moments and communities that make Colorado feel like home.”
Outdoor Life Is “Nonnegotiable”
If sports are “sacred” in Colorado, the outdoors is a core part of everyday life, Red Rocks CU added, noting the survey also found:
• 54% of respondents participate in sports or fitness activities at least weekly, a figure that rises to 75% among those who follow sports very closely.
• 68% of Coloradans say they enjoy outdoor and nature activities such as hiking, backpacking, camping and visiting state or national parks — making it the most popular recreational category in the survey. Only 21% said they would cut outdoor activities to save money, a figure nearly identical to those willing to cut back on groceries or household essentials.
• 60% are at least somewhat willing to make financial trade-offs to afford outdoor or leisure activities, and only 21% say they would cut outdoor activities to save money — compared with 75% who would cut dining out and 56% who would scale back travel or vacations.
‘Walking a Tightrope’
“While Coloradans work hard to preserve the things they love, the survey underscores that many are walking a financial tightrope,” according to the RRCU poll.
The credit union found:
• 83% say rising costs in Colorado have forced them to change how they live or spend money, either definitely or somewhat.
• 56% rely on savings or emergency funds at least sometimes to cover expenses, and 13% report having no savings at all, a share that rises to 21% among residents who do not follow sports closely.
• 54% list groceries and food as a top financial concern, followed closely by rent or mortgage (53%), utility bills (45%) and car-related costs (40%).
“Despite this, Coloradans prioritize security and balance rather than unlimited income.
“Thirty-four percent say they prioritize saving but allow room for meaningful experiences when describing their saving and spending behavior,” Red Rocks stated. “In the long term, 43% say their financial goal is best described as feeling financially secure and enjoying life, outpacing those whose priority is simply getting by month to month (18%) or earning as much as possible (8%).”
‘Feeling Steady’
Added Wise in a statement, “Coloradans are telling us financial health isn’t about stockpiling cash — it’s about feeling steady enough to say yes to the things that matter most. That might mean a budget that specifically sets aside money for lift tickets or rec league fees, and a plan for how to handle an unexpected bill without derailing everything. Our role as a community credit union is to help people build that kind of durable, real-life plan.”
Who Coloradans Trust for Financial Help
According to Red Rocks Credit Union, while many Coloradans are actively managing tighter budgets, the survey reveals a meaningful gap in how comfortable people feel seeking financial guidance.
The survey found 56% agree they feel comfortable going to their financial institution for help and support with their finances, but roughly one-third do not, leaving many residents navigating rising costs on their own.
