COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (November 14, 2022) — The Colorado Rapids and UCHealth announced today a multi-year partnership that will see the Colorado-based health system become the Rapids’ official jersey sponsor through the 2029 Major League Soccer season. As part of the partnership, UCHealth is launching Ready. Set. CO.,a new, health-focused initiative to help restore Colorado as the healthiest state in the nation.
“The Rapids are committed to being the heartbeat of sport in Colorado so we couldn’t be more excited to partner with a local organization like UCHealth who is not only invested in the well-being of our community, but who has also shown a long-standing support of Colorado sports,” said Pádraig Smith, Colorado Rapids executive VP & general manager. “This announcement marks a significant day for our club, as the partnership will provide a foundation for both of our organizations to drive healthy living initiatives with our fans and our community. We look forward to having UCHealth be a part of the Rapids family for many years to come.”
“For years, Colorado has been recognized as the home to some of the fittest, strongest and healthiest populations in the country. The past few years have taken a toll on all of us, both physically and mentally, and it’s time for Colorado to reclaim its status as the healthiest state in the nation," said Manny Rodriguez, UCHealth’s chief marketing, experience and customer officer. “Ready. Set. CO. is intended to motivate, challenge and inspire all Coloradans to commit to making healthy lifestyle choices.”
“We’re thrilled to announce a partnership of this scale with UCHealth,” said Michael Ceilley, SVP of partnership marketing & media sales for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. “As one of the leading health care systems in our state, UCHealth is an extraordinary community partner that impacts the lives of so many Coloradans each day. We’re proud to build on our relationship with UCHealth and welcome them as the Rapids’ new jersey sponsor.
The partnership will enable UCHealth to extend their reach to a broad and diverse audience through joint community events, health and wellness offerings, education and content development. To help extend the mission of this partnership, UCHealth’s logo will be displayed prominently on the front of all Rapids First Team match jerseys and training tops, as well as all Rapids MLS NEXT (Academy) team jerseys and the jerseys of select Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club teams. The Rapids’ jersey symbolizes the two organizations’ mutual commitment to encouraging fans, club partners and the Colorado community to join the team and commit to living their best, Colorado healthy lives.
“UCHealth provides expert medical care and advanced treatment options, but our ultimate goal is to keep our communities healthy and out of the hospital,” said Dr. Abigail Lara, UCHealth’s medical director of health equity and associate professor of medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. “Partnering with the Rapids and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment to launch this initiative allows us another opportunity to connect with Coloradans to truly impact the health of our state.”
In the coming months, UCHealth, the Rapids and KSE will be announcing health-related community education and outreach, health and wellness offerings and events, and additional community health investments through Ready. Set. CO. to connect all Coloradans with opportunities to lead healthier lives.
About UCHealth
UCHealth is an innovative, nonprofit health system that delivers the highest quality medical care with an excellent patient experience. UCHealth includes 29,000 employees, 12 acute-care hospitals and hundreds of physicians across Colorado, southern Wyoming and western Nebraska. With University of Colorado Hospital on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus as its academic anchor and the only adult academic medical center in the region, UCHealth is dedicated to providing unmatched patient care in the Rocky Mountain West. Offering more than 150 clinic locations, UCHealth provides extensive community benefits and pushes the boundaries of medicine through advanced treatments and clinical trials, improving health through innovation.
About the Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are one of Major League Soccer’s founding members and the 2010 MLS Cup champions. Established in 1996, the club seeks to ignite a passion for the sport in Colorado by consistently competing for trophies and providing a world-class experience for supporters, partners, players and staff. The Rapids are based at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., and are part of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.
