| Colorado Altitude | |
| League: | National Pro Fastpitch |
| Location: | Littleton, CO |
| Stadium: | All City Stadium |
| Founded: | 2004 |
| Series: | Regular Season |
| Owner: | Danny Stroud |
| Manager: | Sharron Backus |
The Colorado Altitude were a women's professional softball team based in Littleton, Colorado. They were part of the founding roster of National Pro Fastpitch teams in 2004.
During the NPF's 2003 All-Star tour, the league announced the addition of a team in the Denver, Colorado area. The owners were Danny Stroud and Claud York.[1] The team was named the Colorado Altitude and expected to play at All City Stadium in Denver.[2] Long-time UCLA softball coach and WPF Orlando Wahoos coach Sharron Backus was to be the coach of the Altitude.[3]
The Altitude were assigned to the NPF's West Division, along with the San Antonio Armadillos, Arizona Heat, and California Sunbirds. The East Division included NY/NJ Juggernaut, New England Riptide, Akron Racers and Texas Thunder.[4]
In March 2004, NPF released its inaugural schedule for the year and did not include the Armadillos and the Altitude.[5] The Altitude announced that it was their decision not to join the league in 2004, citing various concerns and leaving open the possibility of considering playing in NPF in 2005.[6] However, the only 2005 expansion team was the Chicago Bandits, and NPF has yet to add a full-time member in Colorado.
The Altitude participated in NPF's inaugural Elite Draft and Senior Draft. The following players were drafted by Colorado:[7]
| Player | Position | College | Draft Position | NPF Experience[8] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindsey Gardner | 2B | Texas | Elite Draft: Round 1, Pick 5 | Texas/Rockford Thunder (2004–08) | |
| Randi Berg | 2B | Fresno State | Elite Draft: Round 2, Pick 13 - Released | Georgia Pride (1999), Florida Wahoos (2000) | |
| Nikki Bowey | OF | Mercer | Elite Draft: Round 3 Pick 21 | Never played in NPF | |
| Rachel Gensch | CF | Bradley | Elite Draft: Round 4, Pick 29 - Released | Never played in NPF | |
| Phelan Wright | 3B | Arizona State | Senior Draft: Round 1, Pick 4 | Arizona Heat (2005) | |
| Nicole Barber | OF | Georgia | Senior Draft: Round 2, Pick 12 | Washington Glory (2007–08) | |
| Nicole Trimboli | OF | Nebraska | Senior Draft: Round 3, Pick 20 | Akron Racers (2004–05), Chicago Bandits (2006–09), USSSA Pride (2010–11), Akron Racers (2011-12) | |
| Kristin Farber | P | Arizona State | Senior Draft: Round 4, Pick 28 | Never played in NPF | |
| Ricki Walker | UT | Colorado State | Senior Draft Round 5, Pick 36 | Never played in NPF | |
| Meghann Reiss | 1B | Wisconsin | Senior Draft: Round 6, Pick 44 - Released | Never played in NPF |