Bosley joins fellow BOLDERBoulder co-founder and 2008 inductee Frank Shorter in receiving Colorado’s highest sporting honor
BOULDER, Colo. – Steve Bosley, co-founder of the BOLDERBoulder 10K and the creative force behind one of the most recognized running events, has been named to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2027. The announcement recognizes Bosley’s decades of contributions to Colorado sports, the road racing community, and the Boulder community.
Bosley will join fellow BOLDERBoulder co-founder and Olympic gold medalist Frank Shorter, who was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. Together, the two helped transform an idea into a Memorial Day tradition that has become one of the largest and most recognized road races in the world.
What started as an idea between Frank and me nearly 50 years ago has grown into something far beyond anything we could have imagined. The BOLDERBoulder has always been about more than running. I’m incredibly honored by this recognition, but the real credit belongs to the thousands who have helped make the BOLDERBoulder what it is today. – Steve Bosley
First held in 1979, the BOLDERBoulder has grown from a local road race into one of the nation’s premier running events, attracting more than 50,000 participants annually. Its signature finish inside the University of Colorado’s Folsom Stadium, introduced in 1981, has become one of the most memorable experiences in road racing. Over its history, 1,592,323 runners, joggers, and walkers have crossed the finish line at the BOLDERBoulder.
Bosley’s vision extended well beyond the race itself. Under his leadership, the BOLDERBoulder developed its nationally recognized International Team Challenge, bringing world-class athletes from all over the world to Boulder, while also establishing its Memorial Day Tribute, providing the community the opportunity to honor the American warriors who have paid the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom.
Shorter, whose gold medal performance at the 1972 Munich Olympics, was a major contributor to igniting the American running boom, praised his longtime friend and partner for his vision, leadership, and lasting contributions to the sport.
Steve has always had an extraordinary ability to see what something could become and then bring together the people and resources to make it happen. When we started the BOLDERBoulder, we wanted to create a great running event, but Steve quickly came to envision something that would become part of the fabric of the community. His leadership and commitment over all these years have made that possible. I couldn’t be happier to see him receive this well-deserved honor, and I’m especially proud to welcome him into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. – Frank Shorter
For Bosley’s son, Cliff, the Race Director since 1998, the recognition carries both personal and professional significance.
Growing up, I had a front-row seat to my dad’s passion for the BOLDERBoulder and the Boulder community. He never saw the race as simply a 10K. He saw it as an opportunity to bring people together and create something special that would last for generations. His vision, determination, and commitment to excellence established the foundation for everything we do today. As his son, I’m incredibly proud of this recognition, and as the race director, I’m grateful for the legacy he created and the opportunity to help carry it forward. – Cliff Bosley
Beyond the BOLDERBoulder, Bosley has made significant contributions to Colorado sports and the University of Colorado. A former president of the Bank of Boulder, an independent community bank, and a two-term member of the University of Colorado Board of Regents, where he served for 12 years, Bosley has long been a champion of athletics, education, and community engagement.
His contributions to the sport of running have earned numerous honors, including recognition as the Road Race Management Race Director of the Year, induction into the Colorado Running Hall of Fame, and membership in Running USA’s Hall of Champions. In 2025, he was inducted into the University of Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame (Legacy Wing).
Earlier this year, Bosley and Shorter were also recognized by The Denver Post among Colorado’s 150 most influential and historical figures as part of the state’s sesquicentennial celebration.
Bosley is one of six members of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame class of 2027, joining former Colorado Rockies standout Carlos González, Denver Broncos great Tom Nalen, Olympic medalist Jenny Barringer-Simpson, longtime Broncos executive Jim Saccomano, and the late professional golfer Dave Hill. The Class of 2027 will be formally inducted on April 15, 2027, during the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame’s 62nd annual induction banquet at the Hilton Denver City Center.
For Bosley, the recognition adds another milestone to a legacy that continues to shape the Colorado running community nearly five decades after the first BOLDERBoulder.
About the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame – https://www.coloradosports.org
Founded in 1964 by Supreme Court Justice Byron White, the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 1965. For its first 37 years, the organization focused on its annual induction banquet before opening a permanent museum at INVESCO Field at Mile High (now Empower Field at Mile High) in 2001. Today, the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame honors outstanding athletes, sports executives, and contributors while raising funds through its Induction Banquet and Golf Classic to support youth sports programs throughout Colorado.
About the BOLDERBoulder – www.bolderboulder.com.
Founded in 1979 by Steve Bosley and Frank Shorter, the BOLDERBoulder 10K is the third largest running race in the United States and the largest 10K in the world. Held annually on Memorial Day in Boulder, Colorado, the event attracts more than 53,000 registrants and features a unique finish inside the University of Colorado’s Folsom Stadium. The event includes the International Team Challenge, featuring professional runners representing countries from around the world, and concludes with its nationally recognized Memorial Day Tribute.