Happy birthday, Colorado — and Colorado sports.

Leading into the state’s 150th birthday on Saturday, The Denver Gazette has partnered with the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame to publicize the definitive list of Colorado’s top 150 sports moments.

For Nos. 50 to 1, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame historian Dave Plati coordinated a 19-member committee to rank in order what they considered the top moments. The No. 1 moment will be revealed Friday. Plati and Broncos icon Jim Saccomano will unveil the list weekly on a Colorado Sports Hall of Fame podcast at coloradosports.org/podcast/.

No. 2 — June 12, 2023

After 47 years in the NBA, the Denver Nuggets reached the mountain top with their first NBA title, defeating the Miami Heat 94-89 in Game 5. It capped a 16-4 run in the playoffs and a five-game series with the Heat. Nikola Jokic scored 28 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the title-clinching victory, clinching his selection as Finals MVP. Four other Nuggets scored in double figures, including Jamal Murray, who scored 14 and dished out a team-high eight assists, and Michael Porter Jr., who had 16 along with 13 rebounds.

—Dave Plati, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame historian