Securing a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise for Colorado was a goal of Denver government and civic leaders for many years. When MLB announced there would be two expansion franchises awarded. Denver went all in to secure one. To be considered for a team, a baseball-only stadium needed to be in place so funding and a location had to be secured. Legislation was passed to create a stadium taxing district. From there voters in six counties had to approve the legislation. Once the stadium deal was done, an ownership group had to be put together. Denver/Colorado's bid could have come to naught at any time as multiple elements and resources had to come together to make a competitive bid and there were some big challenges along the way--such as the principal of the owner's group that was put together being indicted for fraud which forced a last minute scramble to put together different ownership. But---thanks to the vision and dedication of many folks, including donors Williams and Macey as well as Mayor Federico Pena, civic leaders and members of the business community--Denver was awarded a team in July 5, 1991. This collection documents the process of "bringing Major League Baseball to Colorado" from the legislation creating the stadium taxing district, to the bid presentation given to the National League, to the solicitation of investors and the preparations made for the Expansion Committee's visit to Denver. The documents and other items in the collection record the history of securing a team and visually illustrate highlights of the Colorado Rockies franchise (opening day at Coors Field; hosting all-star game; 2007 World Series, etc.) This is part 1 of a 3-part donation. Part 2 will be video interviews of the key individuals involved, and Part 3 will be any remaining archival materials and artifacts.
Former state legislator Kathi Williams and businessman Neil Macey were integral to the process of bringing Major League Baseball to Colorado. Williams carried the bill, which created a Baseball Stadium District in order for Colorado to receive a Major League Baseball Team. Macey brought her the concept for the legislation and was Executive Director of the Colorado Baseball Commission as they shepherded the idea through the legislature and built support in all cities and counties within the stadium taxing District. Williams & Macey decided to put together a comprehensive history of bringing Major League Baseball to Colorado by compiling their records and interviewing those still alive, who were key to the effort. Williams and Macey assembled the binders from original documents, and copies of documents belonging to other such as Paul Jacobs (attorney--passed away 7.2.18) who was instrumental in putting the ownership group together and saving the franchise when the original ownership group fell apart.