Best of Denver 2013 Readers’ Poll: The first round of Sports & Recreation finalists

For the first time in the thirty-year history of Westword‘s Best of Denver, we’ve split the Best of Denver Readers’ Poll into two rounds, giving you the chance to look at the leading vote-getters and then vote again for your favorite people and places in metro Denver. And the results of the first round are in! Keep reading to uncover the five finalists that you, the readers, have selected for the Sports & Recreation categories on this year’s Readers’ Poll. And know this: You still have the chance to change the results. Just get out the vote!

The finalists listed below are by no means shoe-ins — meaning that in the next (and final) round of voting, you can either vote for your favorite finalist or start over with a completely different entry. The final deadline for online voting is 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, at which point we’ll close the poll and calculate the results one last time. You’ll be able to read both the Westword and Readers’ Poll winners when our annual Best of Denver issue hits stands on March 28.

In the meantime, let us know what you think of the first-round finalists in the comments section below. And don’t forget to vote!

Best Bronco: Peyton Manning Von Miller John Elway Eric Decker Champ Bailey

Best Rockie: Todd Helton Carlos Gonzales Troy Tulowitzki Jason Giambi Dexter Fowler

Best Nugget: Kenneth Faried Ty Lawson George Karl Danilo Gallinari JaVale McGee

Best Av: Cody McLeod Matt Duchene Milan Hejduk Ryan O’Reilly Gabriel Landeskog

Best Mammoth: John Grant Jr. Jamie Lincoln Gavin Prout Gary Gate John Gallant

Best Rapid: Andre Akpan Davy Armstrong Tony Cascio Clint Irwin Chris Klute

Continue reading for more Best of Denver 2013 Readers’ Poll finalists. Best Outlaw: Matt Bocklet Jeremy Botlus Ken Clausen Curtis Dickson Greg Downing

Best sports team — college: DU Hockey CU Buffs CSU Rams Metro State CSU Pueblo

Best coach — professional: George Karl John Fox Walt Weiss Óscar Pareja Joe Sacco

Best coach — college: Tad Boyle George Gwozdecky Larry Eustachy Jim McElwain Mike MacIntyre

Best sports team — professional: Broncos Rockies Avalanche Nuggets Mammoth

Best sports announcer: Dave Logan Drew Goodman Drew Soicher Marc Moser Mike Haynes

Continue reading for more Best of Denver 2013 Readers’ Poll finalists. Best TV sportscaster: Susie Wargin Vic Lombardi Lionel Bienvenu Drew Soicher Scott Hastings

Best radio sports show: The Drive 850 KOA Clough Talk with Sandy Clough Irv & Joe Les Shapiro & Tom Nalen

Best mascot: Ralphie Rocky Dinger Wooly Denver Boone

Best dog park: Berkeley Park Westminster Hills Riverfront Park Chatfield Stapleton

Best skate park: Arvada Skate Park Roxborough Skate Park Sandstone Ranch Brian Aragon Skate Park Denver Skate Park

Best mountain park: Red Rocks Lair o’ the Bear Golden Gate Canyon Chautauqua Mount Falcon

Best terrain park: Vail Red Rocks Loveland Winter Park Keystone

Best park for a picnic: Cheesman Park City Park Wash Park Chautauqua Riverfront Park

Continue reading for more Best of Denver 2013 Readers’ Poll finalists. Best park for running: Wash Park Cheesman Park City Park Riverfront Park Red Rocks

Best park for cycling: Wash Park Cheesman Park City Park Sloan’s Lake Riverfront Park

Best park for fishing: Cherry Creek Chatfield O’Fallon Park City Park Boyd Park

Best park for sledding: Ruby Hill Willis Case Golf Course Chautauqua Chatfield Riverfront

Best place to snowshoe: Rocky Mountain National Park Indian Peaks Aspen City Park Devil’s Thumb Ranch

It’s your turn to weigh in! Vote for one of these finalists — or any other favorite — in the second (and final) round of the Best of Denver 2013 Readers’ Poll.

More from our Best of Denver archive: “Best of Denver 2013 Readers’ Poll: The first round of Shopping & Services finalists.”