The Daily Sun-Up Roller derby’s role continues to evolve in Colorado
Feb 5, 2026
Parker Yamasaki, an arts and culture reporter for The Colorado Sun, explores roller derby in Colorado. She traces FOCO Roller Derby’s two-decade evolution. She covers league structure, safety-focused training, rebranding from spectacle to sport. She discusses derby’s inclusive history, local gender-policy debates, and how access and economics shape fairness.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
League Origins And Practice Culture
- FOCO Roller Derby began in 2006 as FOCO Girls Gone Derby and rebranded in 2016 to broaden its image.
- Parker Yamasaki visited their 20th birthday and found a late-night practice culture with layered training and five teams.
Shifting From Show To Sport
- The league is actively reframing roller derby as a serious athletic pursuit rather than entertainment.
- They plan changes like renaming 'bouts' to 'games' to make the sport more accessible and mainstream.
Secure A Dedicated Venue
- Find a permanent home to raise the league's community visibility and stability.
- Parker Yamasaki reports FOCO rents space and seeks a dedicated venue to avoid scheduling conflicts and gain recognition.
