A new Windsor (CO) sports complex will include Northern Colorado FC in 2022, as the Katofsky family adds a USL League One team to its Future Legends Sports Complex north of Denver.
A plan for a new 118-acre sports complex in Windsor has been in the works for several years, with the proposal backed by a contingent of investors that includes former Colorado Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs. Jeff Katofsky, owner of the MiLB Orem Owlz (Rookie; Pioneer League), and his family took over development of the Future Legends Sports Complex in 2019. The model is simple: a training facility for multiple sports anchored by a pro ballpark, with support facilities like hotels. The Northern Colorado Owlz will begin play in the revamped Pioneer League in 2021.
And pro soccer. According to a report in the Denver Post, a USL League One team will begin play in 2022:
“Every person that we’ve had a conversation with knows how big soccer is up here in Northern Colorado, and honestly Colorado as a whole,” said Casey Katofsky, Future Legends Complex Executive Director and co-owner of the professional teams and complex. “You have the Colorado Rapids in Denver, you have the Switchbacks down in Colorado Springs, and for us to be able to provide the first outdoor professional soccer team in northern Colorado history was extremely appealing to us.”
There are no current plans to be affiliated with the Rapids, although that is a possibility somewhere down the road.
“With the Rapids, I have no idea what that can hold,” Katofsky said. “I don’t want to limit ourselves, as I said, but so far they’ve been incredibly generous to us and I look forward to seeing what we compete together.”
Northern Colorado FC is the second addition to USL League One in recent days. North Carolina FC announced it will be moving down from USL Championship to USL League One for the 2021 season.