Denver Broncos Cheerleaders facts for kids

The Denver Broncos Cheerleaders are the official cheerleading team for the Denver Broncos football team. They perform at all home games. Beyond the field, these cheerleaders spend nearly 1,000 hours each year helping out charities. They also attend many events across Denver and Colorado.

Their uniforms change with the weather. In cooler months, they wear long leather chaps and jackets. For very cold games, they switch to skiwear. During warmer summer games, they wear a classic cheerleading leather skirt and vest.

History of the Cheerleaders

The story of the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders began a long time ago. It started in the early 1960s. Back then, the Broncos played in a smaller stadium. A special group of fans called the "South Stands" cheered loudly for the team. They even had their own small group of cheerleaders.

In the late 1960s, the team got its first official dance group. They were called the Denver Bronco Broncettes. This group had 26 to 30 young women, aged 16 to 19. They performed dance routines before games and cheered from the sidelines. They also performed at many community events in Denver. Their original uniform style, with a blue leotard and white Western-style vest, influenced later cheerleading outfits.

In 1971, a new adult cheerleading squad appeared. They were first known as the Bronco Belles. In 1977, their name changed to the Pony Express. This group continued until 1985. After a break of seven years, the Broncos brought the cheerleading team back in 1993. The team is now very proud of their work, both on the field and in the community.

Becoming a Denver Broncos Cheerleader

The Broncos Cheerleaders team has 26 members. They are chosen each spring during open tryouts. The tryouts mainly look for strong dance skills. But, other things are important too. These include how they look, their achievements, and how much they help in the community.

The cheerleaders are famous for their unique Western-style uniforms. They have three different outfits to handle Colorado's fast-changing weather. They wear long leather chaps and jackets in the fall. For cold games, they use skiwear. In the summer, they wear a more traditional leather skirt and vest.

Programs for Young People

The Denver Broncos Cheerleaders run a special program for younger girls. It's called the Junior Denver Broncos Cheerleaders (JDBC). Girls aged six to fourteen can perform with the cheerleaders. They get to be part of pre-game and halftime shows on game days. The cheerleaders also act as role models for these young girls. They help inspire their interests.

Since 2008, there has been a program called Dare to Cheer. This program works with the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. It helps young women with disabilities enjoy Broncos football. In 2013, Dare to Cheer joined the JDBC program. This gave even more chances for these young women to perform with the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders.

The JDBC and Dare to Cheer programs do not require tryouts. They are open to young women of all skill levels. For girls who want to take their dance skills further, there is the Denver Broncos All Stars. This is a competitive dance team. They train regularly with current and former Broncos Cheerleaders. The All Star program also teaches about charity work, teamwork, and reaching goals.

Helping Our Troops and Traveling the World

From 2003 to 2015, members of the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders visited military bases. They traveled to places like Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, Japan, and Australia. They performed a 90-minute show to cheer up the troops. They also thanked them for their service to the United States. In 2015, the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders were chosen for a special event. They represented the United States in the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade in Hong Kong.

Notable Former Members

• Tatiana Anderson, Host of ESPN's TV show Kiana's Flex Appeal
• Romi Bean, Executive Producer at Denver Sports 760, Broncos correspondent at CBS Denver
• Michelle Beisner, NFL Network
• Sam Boik, Traffic Anchor for FOX31 Morning News on KDVR-Denver
• Jamie Dukehart-Conti, Miss Colorado 2008
• Lauren Gardner, (2007–2008), sportscaster of CBS Sports Network
• Renee Herlocker, Spike TV, E! News
• Kollette Klassen, wife of Jake Plummer
• Katie Layman, Miss Colorado 2009