Colorado Sends Nation-leading 32 Athletes to 2026 Winter Olympics, Including Fort Collins Bobsledder

Colorado is sending a nation-leading 32 athletes to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Fort Collins native Hunter Powell will compete in bobsled. Erie's Jaccob Slavin will represent hockey. Together, they give Northern Colorado residents hometown athletes to follow.

"Colorado is the best state in the U.S. for any athlete to train, and especially winter athletes, so it's no surprise that so many on team USA are from Colorado," Governor Jared Polis said in a statement. "I wish all our hometown athletes the best of luck and will be cheering them on along with their friends, family, and my fellow Coloradans. Bring home the gold!"

Powell, 29, made the transition from track to bobsled in late 2024 after competing as a Mountain West decathlon and heptathlon champion at Colorado State. He earned a spot on the four-man sled piloted by Kris Horn, according to U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton.

"What makes a good decathlete, thankfully, is what makes a good bobsledder—being as strong and as fast as you possibly can," Powell said.

Slavin, the Erie hockey player, rounds out Northern Colorado's Olympic representation.

The Governor's list includes Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin of Vail and sled hockey athlete Malik Jones of Aurora. Powell and Slavin represent the region's stake in Colorado's Olympic roster.