About Reilly Mile High

Broncos Country runs on passion. It runs on grit. It runs on loyalty. Catherine, more widely known as Bronco Babe, is one of our most well-known superfans that check all of those boxes. I first connected with Bronco Babe via video calls after we coincidentally ran into each other at Houston airport. Broncos fans will never fail to surprise each other with their sense of location even in the fourth largest city in America: “How do we run into each other… in the fourth largest city in America?” “Because we’re both going to a game.”

Bronco Babe’s place in Denver’s football community has spanned more than three decades. She got the nickname from the Barrel Man tailgate, which has since become legend. “They never could remember my actual name—Catherine—so one day this group of guys said, ‘That’s the babe. That’s the Bronco Babe.’ And that’s all it took.” The name has stuck with her since, and is one of the most recognizable in Denver, if not all of Broncos Country.

Bronco Babe has been a Denver Broncos fan for much longer than she’s lived here, though. Her fandom began in Texas, during the height of the Orange Crush. She remembers the feeling of seeing the soda, which drew her into the Broncos. “Orange Crush came out, the whole drink, and everybody was like—dang, I kind of like that team.” She was the tomboy who learned the game from her dad and lived in a world where “unless you got in trouble, you were into football.” When she moved to Denver 32 years ago, she never looked back, making sure to see every home game. “I’ve never, ever missed one game, ever, as a season ticket holder.” To this day, she keeps that streak alive.

Bronco Babe’s transformation into “super fan” status didn’t happen overnight. Around 15–16 years ago, she began to attend the Broncos games in full flair. “I was not going to be a boring fan with a t-shirt,” she shared. “It wasn’t like I needed attention—it was just showing my fandom.” It wasn’t long before she was recognized by Pro Football’s Ultimate Fan Association (PFUFA), an organization that honors fans who give back year-round. The process was a long one, with an executive telling her she wouldn’t get in at first. She proved them wrong and became a member of the Denver chapter as the only active female member.

Her Fired Up Tailgate has since become one of the most charitable and most welcoming in the league. Bronco Babe even laughed off some fans who have questioned why her lot was full of opposing jerseys: “They don’t understand that we are a fan of fans. We love football. Why wouldn’t we take all of them in?” For her, the tailgate is all about community, not rivalry, and it’s made some of her most fond memories. But, there’s one game that stands out above the rest: the cold and snowy 2013 playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens. “It was freezing, like below freezing… that game went into double overtime. I never left until it was over.” Bronco Babe also ran into an interesting twist that day—Ellen DeGeneres, who wanted to interview her for her show. Except, Bronco Babe lost her voice that game from cheering: “Literally as she’s coming into the stands, she’s like ‘oh, you lost your voice!’”

Bronco Babe has become well traveled not just across the NFL, but across the world. From stadiums and stadiums in the NFL to a trip to London for an international game, she’s been there to cheer on the Broncos whenever they are. Her favorite game abroad was in London. “It was like a normal trip to Europe—you just plan ahead. Fans put each other up. We host each other.” That same community has now become a family.

But, despite all the travel, there’s no place Bronco Babe wants to be like in Denver. She’s tight-lipped about her game day routine: “I cannot be late for the flyover, the anthem, and the fireworks. If I miss that, we’re probably going to lose.” To an extent, her section is well aware. If Bronco Babe isn’t in her seat, everyone starts to get worried.

Bronco Babe has met many NFL legends. Her favorite was obvious though: “Peyton Manning… he was one of my clients, so I got to know him really well.” In between snowstorms, heartbreaks, tailgates, and the occasional victory, Bronco Babe’s fandom is what Broncos Country and football is all about. Loyalty. Community. And, always and without exception, showing up.