Chess Clubs in Colorado

The Denver Chess Club traces its roots to 1859, when Rocky Mountain News founder William Byers organized the city's first chess club, making it one of the oldest chess clubs in the United States; it remains Colorado's oldest and largest club today, with weekly rated play and several tournaments a year, including the long-running Colorado Open. Colorado Springs has its own steady club tradition, meeting weekly for over-the-board play with a documented run of club championships. The Colorado State Chess Association (CSCA) is the state's USCF affiliate, running the Colorado Open, the invitational Colorado Closed, and a full slate of scholastic events including the Colorado State Scholastic Chess Championship. The state also has a place in national chess history: the U.S. Open Chess Championship was held in Aspen in 1968, won by Bent Larsen.

• The Denver Chess Club (founded 1859) is Colorado's oldest and largest club, hosting weekly rated games and the annual Colorado Open.
• The Colorado State Chess Association runs the Colorado Open and the invitational Colorado Closed, plus scholastic championships spanning K-1 through K-12.
• Colorado Springs Chess Club meets weekly for over-the-board play, with club championship records going back to 1965.