Colorado Springs Flames: A Legacy of Championship Football

Founded in late 1986 by Bob Harrelson, the Colorado Springs Flames began as the Olympians before adopting their current name ahead of the 1987 inaugural season in the Colorado Football Conference (CFC). The team finished its first year with a 6-3-1 record and quickly established itself as a competitive force. Under Harrelson’s leadership as owner, player, and coach, the Flames captured CFC championships in 1992, 1993, and 1997.

In late 1997, Harrelson sold the organization to Bill Jacobs. With Fred W. Reese as head coach, the Flames won three consecutive CFC titles from 1999 to 2001 and completed a matching three-peat as winners of the national Battle of the Plains Bowl. In 2001 the team introduced its current “F” fireball logo and updated its colors to a bold black-and-red scheme with Vegas Gold accents. Three years later, a group of players, coaches, and supporters purchased the franchise and transitioned it to a Board of Trustees structure, reinforcing its community roots.

Over more than three decades, the Flames have claimed 10 CFC championships (1992, 1993, 1997, 1999–2001, 2009, and 2011–2013), including two separate three-peats. Under the ownership and general management of former player and Hall of Fame member Fred Kiger, and with Coach Reese continuing to lead the program, the Flames maintained their tradition of contending at the highest level of Colorado minor-league football, regularly reaching championship games.

Following the disruptions of 2020, the organization briefly merged with the COS Longhorns before returning as the Colorado Springs Flames under Kiger’s ownership. The team resumed its competitive success, advancing to the playoffs and championship games in the Championship Football League (CFL) during the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

In 2026, the Flames entered a new chapter with Dane Ekstrand as owner and general manager. This transition builds on the foundation established by decades of players, coaches, and community supporters, positioning the organization to continue its legacy of championship football and community impact for years to come.

Organizational Objectives

The Colorado Springs Flames are committed to establishing and sustaining a high-quality amateur football organization that strengthens the sports culture of Colorado Springs and the surrounding region. We provide players of all backgrounds with the opportunity to continue competing at a high level, regardless of their previous level of competition, while delivering an engaging, family-friendly entertainment experience that supports the growth of local athletics and fosters community pride.

Through our programs, we promote the values of personal responsibility, commitment, and accountability among young athletes in a positive and supportive environment. By developing both competitive excellence and character, the Flames seek to become a respected community institution that residents and fans can take pride in and that contributes meaningfully to the city’s athletic and civic life.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Colorado Springs Flames Football Club is to be a respected and outstanding amateur football organization that strengthens the sports culture of Colorado Springs and the surrounding region. We are dedicated to promoting amateur athletics by providing players of all backgrounds the opportunity to continue competing at a high level, regardless of their previous experience, while developing personal responsibility, commitment, and accountability in a positive environment.

On and off the field, the Flames strive to deliver a quality sports product that offers family-friendly entertainment, fosters community pride, and serves as a platform for both competitive excellence and character development. Through our commitment to respect, sportsmanship, and community engagement, we aim to be an organization that Colorado Springs can embrace and take pride in for years to come.