DENVER — Gov. John Hickenlooper on Wednesday announced a proclamation that temporarily renames Colorado's tallest majestic mountain peaks -- also known as 14ers -- after individual active players on the Denver Broncos football team. The mountains will go by their new names for one day only -- on Super Bowl Sunday.
The full text of the proclamation follows:
WHEREAS, the State of Colorado is confident that the Denver Broncos will beat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII; and
WHEREAS, the Denver Broncos gave Coloradans a lot to be proud of this season, including becoming the first team in NFL history to score more than 600 points in a single season and winning the AFC Championship; and
WHEREAS, Seattle makes some, well, OK beer; and
WHEREAS, the Seahawks have a 12th man, whatever, while the Denver Broncos have the greatest fans -- men, women and children -- in pro sports; and
WHEREAS, we are proud of the majestic mountains in Colorado, which is home to 53 14ers – the same number of players on the Denver Broncos' active roster; and
WHEREAS, Peyton Manning bears a symbolic resemblance to Mount Elbert, the tallest 14er in Colorado, because he stands tall as an extraordinary leader of the Broncos; and
WHEREAS, Matt Prater kicks the football long – an NFL record 64 yards long – and could be compared to Longs Peak; and
WHEREAS, the Broncos offensive line stands together, like our Collegiate Peaks, rooted into the earth and preventing anyone from getting to Peyton Manning; and
WHEREAS, there are many other connections between other 14ers and players as referenced below;
Therefore, I, John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby hurry up and proclaim Sunday, February 2, 2014, DENVER BRONCOS-MANIA DAY.
Here is the full list of mountains (ranked by size) and the active players the peaks are being renamed for, along with some reasoning from the governor's office:
Mt. Elbert
Peyton Manning.
Mt. Massive
Terrance Knighton - AKA POT ROAST.
Mt. Harvard
Zane Beadles - He, along with others on the offensive line, are as formidable as the line of Collegiate Peaks.
Blanca Peak
Mitch Unrein - He blocks and tackles.
La Plata Peak
Jacob Tamme - Just as this is an impressive peak among the Collegiate Peaks, this tight end is an impressive addition to the offense.
Uncompahgre Peak
Steven Johnson - His defense is straight forward and uncomplicated.
Crestone Peak
Steve Vallos - Like this peak, which is surrounded by other looming 14ers, this center is the rock of impressive offensive lines.
Mt. Lincoln
Winston Justice - His name itself, and his humanitarian work in Uganda and Haiti, reflect the name of this majestic peak.
Grays Peak
Eric Decker - Grays and Torreys are right next to each other, like the dynamic duo of Decker and Thomas.
Mt. Antero
Malik Jackson - This defensive end watches everyone's back.
Torreys Peak
Demaryius Thomas
Castle Peak
Duke Ihenacho - Because only a duke could vanquish a castle-like offense.
Quandary Peak
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - His coverage proves to be a quandary for opposing quarterbacks.
Mt. Evans
Nate Irving - This linebacker forms an imposing backdrop to opponents just like this peak does to Denver.
Longs Peak
Matt Prater - He kicks 'em long (set an NFL record with a 64-yard field goal vs. Tennessee).
Mt. Wilson
Shaun Phillips - Leads the Broncos in sacks this year and will look to take down Russell Wilson.
Mt. Shavano
Marquice Cole
Mt. Belford
Andre Caldwell - Like this peak's inclusion with other Collegiate Peaks, he joins an imposing offense.
Crestone Needle
Brock Osweiler - At 6 feet, 8 inches, he makes all opponents appear as thin as this 14er.
Mt. Princeton
Manny Ramirez.
Mt. Yale
Louis Vasquez.
Mt. Bross
Jeremy Mincey.
Kit Carson Peak
Aaron Brewer - His long snaps find their path just as Kit Carson found paths through the frontier.
Maroon Peak
Mike Adams - He maroons opponents due to his tackling prowess (posted a game-high nine tackles and intercepted a pass that led to a Broncos touchdown in Houston).
Tabeguache Peak
Chris Kuper.
Mt. Oxford
Chris Clark.
Mt. Sneffels
Zac Dysert
Mt. Democrat
Tony Carter - Working on a second degree in political science.
Capitol Peak
Champ Bailey - Rated the most difficult peak on 14ers.com.
Pikes Peak
Joel Dressen - A Colorado Mountain for a Colorado State University Ram and only player on the roster to graduate from a Colorado university.
Snowmass Mountain
Wesley Woodyard
Mt. Eolus
Sione Fua - An eloquent name, like this peak.
Windom Peak
Ronnie Hillman - This runninng back runs like the wind.
Challenger Point
Montee Ball - He was a challenger for the Heisman Trophy in 2011.
Mt. Columbia
Orlando Franklin.
Missouri Mountain
Sylvester Williams - He was born in Missouri.
Humboldt Peak
Knowshon Moreno - He "bolts" off the line (Ranked fifth in the NFL in scrimmage yards at 1,586) and tied for fifth with 13 scrimmage touchdowns in 2013. Became the first player in franchise history to record 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a single season in 2013.
Mt. Bierstadt
Robert Ayers - Just like the way that Ayers makes tackling look easy, this peak is one of the easiest peaks to summit.
Sunlight Peak
Omar Bolden - He is known for his power of positive thinking and is not blinded by any sunshine in his tackling prowess.
Handies Peak
Quentin Jammer - This defensive player is known for giving a hand to his teammates and those in need through his Jammer Family Foundation helping foster teens.
Culebra Peak
Michael Huff.
Ellingwood Point
Britton Colquitt - He would be able to land a punt on this point.
Mt. Lindsey
Paris Lenon.
Little Bear Peak
Trindon Holliday - He's 5 feet, 5 inches, but is as tough as they come.
Mt. Sherman
Wes Welker - Welker could be covered by Richard Sherman.
Redcloud Peak
Virgil Green.
Pyramid Peak
Danny Trevathan - Like the Pyramids of Giza, Danny Trevathan's defense is a wonder of the world. He posted a team high 129 tackles, beating his next closest teammate by 44 and is 11th best in the league.
Wilson Peak
Brandon Marshall.
Wetterhorn Peak
Vinston Painter.
San Luis Peak
Kayvon Webster.
Mt. of the Holy Cross
David Bruton - His alma mater is Notre Dame.
Huron Peak
C.J. Anderson - Another impressive peak included in the Collegiate Peaks, he is a fine addition to the offense.
Sunshine Peak
Julius Thomas - because he always makes himself available to find the sunshine through the defenders and make the catch.
