Two historic Colorado tournaments find new homes

Two of Colorado's "Big Three" find new homes

Each year, tournament players in Colorado and throughout the Rocky Mountain region look forward to competing in "the Big Three" events: the Denver City Open, the Intermountain Championships, and the Colorado Tennis Championships. Each of these events have been contested for more than 100 years, and in 2025, the two oldest tournaments will be hosted in new communities.

The first event on the calendar, the Denver City Open, set a record this year with more than 750 entries, making it one of the biggest events in the entire country. First held in 1914 at City Park in Denver, the event has been held continuously at Denver Tennis Club since 1928.

The Intermountain Senior Sectional Championships has struggled to regain its footing after it was canceled in 2020 due to COVID. The event has been a part of the Boulder Open for decades, but this year it will move to the Western Slope, to be held in Grand Junction at Canyon View  Park in mid-September. As is the case with most things tennis in Grand Junction, the Elliott family has been instrumental in resurrecting this event after a several year hiatus. 

Asked what players can expect at this year's ITA Championships, USTA Colorado Tournament Operations Director Jason Colter, says, "I am so excited to have the Intermountain back on the calendar. We are very thankful for the opportunity to bring this event to Grand Junction for the first time. The Elliott family is known for providing a first-class tournament experience for players. Not only that, but the facility is incredible, and autumn on the Western Slope is amazing". In addition to open division, senior events for players 45 and over are offered. Registration closes September 1.

The granddaddy of Colorado's USTA sanctioned events, the Colorado Tennis Championships, will also relocate to a new home in 2025. First held in 1891, the CTC (which went through numerous site and name changes over its lengthy lifespan) settled at the newly created Gates Tennis Center in 1975, where it was held until 2021, when the event moved to Colorado Athletic Club Inverness and Monaco. After one year, the tournament was moved to Boulder and co-existed with the Ned Cooney Memorial Tournament. This year, the tournament will move to a new home, Ken-Caryl Ranch House and Community Center, where the NTRP and Open events will be offered in late September. The senior divisions will take place in August at Lone Tree Tennis Center, and the Family Divisions will be hosted by Lebsack Tennis Center at a date TBD. 

Ken-Caryl Tennis Director and CTC Tournament Director Robert Campbell says, "We're thrilled to host the CTC at Ken-Caryl, beginning what we hope will spark a vibrant, enduring tradition! Our stunning venues, the Ranch House and Community Center, offer a wonderful experience for players and spectators alike."

The "big three" join other high profile Level 4 tournaments in Colorado, including the South Suburban Valentine's Day Classic (in February), the Broomfield Open (July 18-25), the Boulder Open — who also has a new home for 2025 — (July 25-August 1), and the Meadows Ned Cooney event in Boulder (August 6-15).

To see the full list of all 2025 Colorado Sanctioned Tournaments, click here.