We are reminded of it every time we return to town via Interstate 25 — “Colorado Springs, Olympic City USA.” Our city and state are the heart and soul of the U.S. Olympic movement.

When the cauldron is lit on the 2026 Winter Olympic Games next week at the famed San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, Coloradans once again will be well represented among the Americans competing on the ice and snow in the Italian Alps. The Rocky Mountains historically have been a training destination and home for many of the nation’s and world’s best Olympians, and many of them in fact hail from the Centennial State.

Fully 30 members of the U.S. squad heading for the winter games have Colorado ties. Stars like four-time Olympian and two-time gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin of Edwards, and Vail’s five-time Olympian Lindsey Vonn are among the headliners. Others are making names for themselves or are about to, from Durango native and mogul master Charlie Mickel to giant slalom’s River Radamus to ski jumper Annika Belshaw of Steamboat Springs. And let’s not forget figure skaters Ellie Kam and Daniel O’Shea of Colorado Springs. All are doing Colorado proud.

Some of the games’ most exciting competitions themselves have ties to our state as well.

They include ski mountaineering, a fascinating sport debuting at this year’s Olympics that may in its essence capture the heart of winter sports more than any other in the program. “Skimo,” with the advent of “alpine touring” ski bindings, essentially combines cross-country skiing, downhill and the uphill nature of winter mountaineering — no matter the conditions. Long a revered and respected sport in Europe, skimo has seen a golden era here in Colorado as communities, leaders and athletes in Summit and Pitkin counties, among others, have led the American charge in working to get the sport accepted in the Olympics.

The sport will be more tailored for TV, with shorter races than classic Colorado competitions like the Grand Traverse 40-miler across the Elk Range from Mt. Crested Butte to Aspen where those racing for a medal include Americans Cam Smith and Anna Gibson, who have extensive experience racing here in the Rockies.

Then there are the more traditional sports, like freestyle skiing and snowboarding — once the new kids on the block in past Olympic games. Returning for his third Olympics is golden boy-turned-cagey vet Red Gerard of Silverthorne, who after landing on the X Games Aspen podium just last week is a threat to win his second Olympic gold in slope-style snowboarding. From Longmont halfpipe snowboarder (and homebuilder) Chase Blackwell, to Aspen hometown hero and freestyle skier Alex Ferreira to Edwards’ Radamus, dozens of Coloradans will be at the forefront of NBC’s coverage alongside Colorado legends Vonn and Shiffrin.

So, from Feb. 6 to Feb. 22, sit back, relax and cheer on these Centennial State superstars. And be sure to tune back in March 6-15 when the U.S. Paralympic team showcases several skiers and riders who call Copper Mountain home.